RCC 1s beat Chertsey by 47 runs

Chertsey versus Roehampton Part 2. After the cup game and the issues with the umpire, we always knew that there would be a bit of niggle in this one. Even more so when they turned up with no umpire, even though Fuchsy had been stressing about finding an umpire as our 3 usual umpires were all off duty this week. Step up Stephen Kent to fill the void.

Chertsey won the toss and elected to bowl on a slow pitch and RCC started cautiously with Nick Freeborn and Sean Farrell occupying the crease. Farrell in particular played with a lot of patience and in fact faced 21 consecutive dot balls (not seen before I’m sure), but was batting for the team and for the situation. Some tight spin bowling by the Chertsey bowlers and a flurry of wickets in the middle order forced RCC to be cautious and patient and we were ambling along at about 2 an over. Will Hunting and Jules Vereker played themselves in, but then decided enough was enough and started taking the bowlers on. From a very precarious 75 for 6, JV and Will added 50 runs (with some excellent running between the wickets), with JV in particular being very harsh on the Chertsey leg-spinner. At the end of our 52 overs, RCC had scored a very defendable 151 runs giving Chertsey 43 overs to chase down the target.

After a fantastic tea (man its good to have the Farrells back), RCC opened up with the old ball which was shared by Paul Fuchs and De Wet Kruger hoping that the slow pitch would make it difficult to score on. Chertsey however started steadily and 4 overs in, the new ball was called for and Kruger immediately made the breakthrough with the extra bounce of the new ball giving Nick Freeborn one of his 3 catches behind the stumps. Enter Sam Stevens who bowled a brilliant spell and he and Kruger had the batsmen in all sorts of trouble (despite very difficult bowling conditions). 31 overs done and Chertsey were 9 down giving us 12 overs to get the final wicket and them still needing 60 runs. Surely, this was in the bag? 12 overs, 11 overs, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6.....Numbers 10 and 11 were doing well blocking out although there were edges and balls not going to hand. Every fielder was in close, 3 slips, 2 gullies, Stevens and Kruger steaming in. It was cold, windy and getting darker. Rain was beginning to fall. 4 overs left and still no breakthrough. Number 11’s confidence was rising and he was playing a few shots. Over number 40 and finally the breakthrough. A clearly over-confident number 11 trying to cut De Wet only to get an edge and well taken at second slip by Scott Costelloe. At the end a very comfortable win by 47 runs and as per usual this season, a very good effort in the field and with the ball.

RCC really are playing as a team and its wonderful to be part of such a great bunch of lads (win or lose).

Man of the match: Sam Stevens
(report by Paul Fuchs)