RCC beat Chertsey

We finally got to play our League cup game against Chertsey, 6 weeks after the initial scheduled tie. On a worn strip, Chertsey won the toss and elected to bat, but they were soon regretting that decision after Tom Easton removed their skippers off stump with the first ball of the game. Good tight bowling and some sharp fielding (and some amazing banter from Will Costelloe) had Chertsey scoring at about 3 an over. Wickets continued to fall, with Tom Easton bowling brilliantly and very unlucky to pick up only 1. Saqib Abassi had the batsmen in all sorts of trouble and Paul Fuchs stuck to his tried and tested method of bowling straight and keeping it tight. Chertsey were 9 down for 112 and an early tea looked on the cards, but a 40 run 10th wicket partnership (ended by Phil Dorsett whose first ball was called wide and his second one ended the innings) gave RCC a decent total of 156 to chase in our 45 overs.

A magnificent opening partnership by Scott Costello and new-boy Tom Hilson put on 80 runs for the first wicket and Scott in particular was devastating scoring his 65 off 87 balls. The loss of Scott and Tom however, did not slow things down and soon Saqib Abassi was in the action bludgeoning 32 from just 34 balls and the game was finished off, with 8 overs to spare by Phil Dorsett and Chad Potter.

Despite an unsavoury moment from the opposition umpire (something that has been brought to the league’s attention), a good day out in the sunshine and we look forward to the next round against Ripley at home next Monday.

RCC Man of the match – Scott Costello
(report by Paul Fuchs)