The Racqueteers v The White Hunters: 15/7/21
After heavy rains in the previous week, the ground at the sublime Brockwood Park was deemed unplayable for our annual match v The White Hunters; not to be deterred, we rearranged the match as a home fixture and assembled on a sun-kissed evening to play on pitch 2 at North Walls.
Skipper Mike F won the toss and decided to field first on a wicket that looked like it might offer decent bounce and turn.
Thus it proved to be, as the very first ball of the match from Luke S turned beautifully off a length to remove the Hunters’ opening batsman’s off stump: a superb start!
Luke’s great control and timeless action continued to bamboozle the opposition as he took 4 wickets for only 12 in his four overs.
The President continued his fine form with a penetrating and frugal spell claiming 2 good wickets for only 9 runs conceded in his four over spell.
With a fiery Rishi taking a wicket in his over, Chris clean-bowling his cousin Robert with a terrific delivery, Tom Lamb taking 1 for only 8 in his excellent spell, and the White Hunters were dismissed for only 49 with a neat Racqueteers runout to conclude their innings.
Therefore, needing 50 to win, openers G & Head of Salmon strode out to bat.
Unfortunately a ‘mixup on the running front’ led to G being unnecessarily runout bringing Paddy to the crease.
However a very accurate and lively spell of bowling from one of the younger ‘Hunters’ saw three Racqueteers wickets fall in a single over!
However, the President with a focussed and careful knock, and Rishi (23) with an array of flourishing strokes, saw us safely home with overs and wickets to spare.
A good entertaining Racqueteers win on a lovely sunny evening followed by excellent refreshments back at the King Alfred.
Our next match is the challenging trip to the ever-competitive Vagabonds next weekend.
M
The Racqueteers Cricket Club 