Telling Tails: Sunday vs Nomads

A week ago, Ramsbury CC played Collingbourne with just 9 players. Making a decent go of it in difficult conditions. If Laurence had pulled his finger out and scored more than 63, we might have won it. This week, Friday rolled around and we had only 9 available (seems its the week to be on holiday, expect golden tans everywhere in our final games)...

Fundamentally, I'd describe Ramsbury CC as a family club. Over the last handful of years we've developed a thriving youth set up with the introduction of our All Stars and Dynamos. We're pushing to create our first U11, U13 and U15 teams too. And we have, of course, got our Screaming Eagles. Who, under the guidance of brilliant coaching from Pete, Nick, Dave, Colin, Sean, Warwick and Steve (amongst others) have developed a ladies team who are far better than they actually give themselves credit for. All in all, we're 'family style' and our game against Nomads was a prime of example of this.

Before we even set foot on the field, history was made as the first of our Screaming Eagles joined the 9 to fill our side (we've had mixed teams before, but this was the first time our official ladies team mixed in). And this was not a case of just 'making up the numbers'. It was (as far as anyone knows) the first time Ramsbury CC played with not one, but two married couples. Warwick & Polini who drove a third of the team to the game in style in their 1966 Mustang. And in addition a third Screaming Eagle (Justine), along with our skipper's wonderful mum) played their part by looking after Chris & Laurie's kids to ensure both parents could play. All in all, a very family day out!

With 11 players, we had every chance of a win... for anyone whose played with 9, those gaps in the field really do make it difficult to keep the oppositions total to a minimum.

After losing the toss, we were put in to bat. Nick and Warwick opened things up, whilst the rest of us tried to work out what the heck our batting order should be.

We got a decent start too as we reach the 8th over at 40 for no loss with Nick producing a sweeping masterclass for the onlookers. Then came Nomads 'big man' namely really because he's the first person I've met who makes Warwick look short. He whistled one in at pace which swung around Warwick's defences to hit the base of off-stump. Gone. And from my position as the umpire, Warwick played the right shot, it was just a blinder of a ball.

Without too much delay, he completely smashed through Jeremy's middle stump to send our double-50 scorer back to the pavilion for a duck. With Nick on strike, I felt confident we could calm this bowler down. As the ball disappeared off to the boundary and I'm stood umpiring and signalling 4 runs, it becomes apparent (once Nick side steps) that the ball has clipped the top of leg stump (rather than the bat) to send us 3 down after 12 overs. Danger loomed. If this guy stayed on, we'd be back in the Mustang before the engine had cooled.

At the crease is now our trusty skipper Chris, along with debutant Laurie. Laurie, hot off a mid-week net session getting some experience against red balls, was desperate to survive against the pace of Nomads 'big man'. She's just witnessed three of our best batters in Warwick, Nick and Jeremy fall to this guy and her first taste of action is against him! Fair play as well to the bowler who did agree to take the pace off (a bit)... but as you can see in the highlights that pace really only comes off the run up, the final delivery isn't actually that much slower. This was, without doubt, probably the most difficult situation you could face, not only as a club debut, but as a 'red ball' debut. Should I be worried for Laurie, or for Ramsbury CC? Absolutely not! Laurie dealt with it like a pro and put all her coaching to good use, watched the ball, played straight and left the ball for the keeper to deal with. Golden duck avoided.

What came next was quality. Laurie defended everything on the stumps with perfection and hit the leg-side deliveries away to pick up vital runs for the team... she backed up her skipper (and husband) to partner with him and increase our total, eventually getting out when sending the ball air bound directly to a fielder. A wonderful effort and one to be very proud of!

As I follow Laurie off the field to pad up, Sean whacks a couple but unfortunately, like Chris and Laurie before, sends one skywards. Alan is equally skyward and joins those back at the clubhouse as we're suddenly 65 for 7, in the 22nd over. As I walk out to join Charlie in the middle we have Polini and Malcolm to come.

After a few sighters, I managed to join the general style of the day and get off the mark with a 4. I quickly smashed a 6 down the slope towards the river (someone said it went in, I'll pretend it did) and thought 'I'm seeing this like beachball, here we go'... idiot. I hit one in easy head height reach of the fielder at mid off, thinking I'd clear him. Foolish error not to pace things with 10 overs left.

Out walks Polini, never played red ball cricket, we're 8 down, 24 overs in and only have 76 on the board. We might not make it to 80. But like Laurie, Pol absolutely nails the brief. Blocks what needs blocking and hits everything else possible. After facing a few, you could sense the willingness in the supporters for her to get off the mark. Charlie spots the opportunity and calls Pol through and LEGS it like he never has before, his body way ahead of his legs, Charlie puts every ounce of effort in to get Polini off the mark as the ball is hurled towards the stumps, bat on the ground, sliding towards the line and Charlie makes it home! Polini is off the mark, and the ball whistles past the players and goes all the way to the boundary on the other side. Not only is Pol off the mark, but her first official runs where 5. The most unusual way to start your red ball career.

What comes next is quite literally game changing. Charlie, who hasn't batted in a year, hits everything he can, grabs boundaries, twos and singles, putting faith in Pol to score at the other end. The result? The second HIGHEST partnership of the day, not just for Ramsbury, but also double any of the Nomads partnerships. Putting on 38 runs (only beaten by Nick and Warwick who put on 40 together), and giving us something to defend.

Malcolm heads out to face the return of the quick and does what neary everyone else failed to do and kept him out for 5 balls. With Charlie back on strike, he struck big, sending a certain 6 down the ground, only to find the tall man on the boundary who takes it single handedly. All out for 114. Game on.

We didn't get off to the start we wanted. Going for 19 off the first 2 overs. Oh dear.

Then we dial in, lbw Lithgow, caught-bowled Slade, bowled Slade, bowled Slade, bowled Slade. Nomads are 53 for 5 after 14 overs and we're in with a chance. We've also made, by way of great fielding positions, a series of 'drops' which are really stops that just didn't stick. And an edge which carried to Nick but somehow was not given.

Out comes the 'big man' and we know he can play. Anyone remember that 6 off Warwick (at Ramsbury) which cleared the trees and we think went into the field over the road? Yeah, him. He smashed me for 6 too, but I dropped in a 'Laurence inspired' slowball to send him (luckily) packing. This time was different, smaller boundaries too. He whacks a few, including one at Charlie which would have been an insane catch, but not to be, but nevertheless a wonderful stop. Warwick keeps at it and eventually brings about the beauty that we all know is unplayable (we've faced it in the nets) and sends Nomads 7 down. It may have taken a year, but thrilled that Warwick got his man. (Forgot to mention Sean's lovely edged delivery through to Nick, this time given by the batsman, who walks off before the umpire signals).

Here we go. We're 20 overs in. 15 to go and Nomads are 7 down, we need 3 wickets and they need 24 runs. A few half chances and 'oh' moments pass. Sean grabs a maiden, and Warwick keeps beating the outside edge. But Nomads make it home eventually winning by 3 wickets.

What a game! We may not have had the result on our side, but our team spirit was there, our desire was there, our fielding on point and our bowling much the same. We did ourselves proud against a very very good bowler, our ladies where true legends both with the bat and in the field and we walked off the field, over a lovely river directly into a pub garden... I reckon this should be a permanent away fixture! Thank you to Nomads for having us.

Fortunately, the day was recorded. It's LIVE on YouTube... I'll place the link below, as well as a couple of moments from last year too for context to the above.

We have three games left for 2024 (I can't believe I'm typing that already). The final T20 is Thursday against Leg Rovers, get involved, even if thats with a beer pitch side, we want you there!

And then Sunday against Kennet Valley (A) before the final festival game against W.A.N.C.C. (H) which will include a BBQ, bar, juniors match, ladies game and the almighty Sunday Social as we try to (finally) get the better of W.A.N.C.C (who remembers the last ball decider in 2023!?). Be there when legends are made!

Go well. Cheers.