Two days after the KAT, we were back on pitch two at River Park for an 18-over evening game against the colourfully-attired Willow Tree.
Disappointingly, we were a couple of players short as we took to the field but, to be honest, our commitment and camaraderie as we bowled first clearly overcame this.
From the start, straight and tight bowling reaped rewards as Willow Tree wickets (including 5 ducks!) fell regularly with only one of their batsman reaching double figures; extras at 37 were easily their top-scorer!
Rishi (1 for 18), Mike C (1 for 13) and two for the impressive, round the wicket line of Stoppers (2 for 22) kept us totally in control before a superb onslaught of quality bowling from Stu who claimed 4 wickets for only 12 in his impressive 4 overs.
Another really lovely moment was the first ever wicket – a super clean-bowled yorker – from Cris (aka Dolphin) in his first ever over!
Followed up by another clean bowled in the same over; a joy to see all his hardwork, commitment and enthusiasm pay off. Well played Sir!
Thus, we bowled them out for only 80 in the sixteenth over with men short in the field – an excellent performance.
Our reply was measured and composed as Dave (23) continued his excellent early season form, coupled with a solid 16 not out from the Skip and a characteristically hard-hitting 24 from Stu.
As the evening light closed in, it seemed appropriate that Shep (who’d rushed back from London to play) should strike the winning four – a nice straight drive – to see us home in the last over: a six wicket win with 3 balls to spare to cap another excellent home win on pitch two.
Well played the Racqueteers!
We travel to the beautiful Holt next; let’s keep our winning ways going…
RESULT: Racqueteers WIN by 6 wickets
The Racqueteers Cricket Club 