A reminder to everyone who has not yet paid Subs please get this done asap. Thanks to all of you who have done this so far. This link explains how to pay your membership subscription including the account details to pay it into:
http://www.roehamptoncricketclub.com/a/rcc-membership-24947.html?page=2

- £200 membership gets you all the games you can play for free
- £130 membership allows you to pay as you go on games @£15 per game

1XI v Ripley (away)

Roehampton 57 -10 Ripley 59 -2

Catches win matches.

Well, they certainly did for Ripley on Saturday.

In truth, upon turning up at the ground, I felt a great sense of premature achievement - getting 11 players out and to the ground felt like the battle had already been won. If we could get to a point, sooner rather than later, where the balance of energy spent is in favour of playing cricket I'll be a very happy man.

Anyway, after losing the toss I wasn't unhappy at all being asked to bat first - nice day, fast outfield and a wicket that certainly wasn't going to get better throughout the day.I probably wasn't expecting the match quite to pan out the way it did as Ripley's very recognisable stalwart (who ended up with 6) ran in to bowl the first over. We lost both openers very early on and that was the start of a procession of wickets - the likes of which I've not witnessed much before on a cricket field. On a day when we really needed some luck, that's exactly what we didn't get. Ripley pouched 3 or 4 catches that I reckon would be dropped 9 times out of 10. If we are all honest with ourselves, I think any runs we have scored this year should be in no small part credited to the friendly fielding/catching of our various oppositions. Without exception.On Saturday we soon realised we can't rely on that, and really ought to improve our techniques.

Add Joshi's unusual dismissal (where a wide ball popped off a length, hit his elbow as he tried to leave it and then looped nicely on to the top of middle stump) and we very quickly found ourselves 56 all out.

Naturally this was a tough day for the bowlers - simply not enough runs to play with and Ripley made relatively light work of the chase, winning by 8 wickets

Highlights, of which there were very few, I think include:

1) Best tea this season

2) Seeing Will Turner open the bowling - something I'd love to see happen a lot more in the coming years

3) Getting Joshi out of retirement

4) Fahad - one of very few people who just gets on with his own game

5) Ryan (who I hope is alright after his evening of shots) bowled extremely well - I can't wait to see him and Max open the bowling together

6) Watching the 2s in a close one!

A short game meant plenty of time in the bar. Great to see many of us back there for a while.

Bottom of the league. Onwards and upwards.

We really can't afford to not start winning some games now.

2XI v Caterham 2XI (home)

Roehampton 220 -10 Caterham 215 -8

At one point in the dark and rain past 7pm it looked like Roehampton had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Caterham had recovered from 90-6 chasing 220 to need 7 to win of the last over with 4 wickets still in hand. A nerveless last over from Umer Munir (do bears have nerves?) only went for 2 runs and took 2 wickets to mean the game finished an honourable draw.

The 2XI arrived at home in the sunshine, pleased to be at the comfort of home following a couple of lengthy away trips. We lost the toss and we put into bat by Caterham. The experienced opening partnership of Hemish and Sacha set about building a solid platform. After Hemish and Josh Wilmot departed in quick succession Mo Saleem batted with his usual power combined with a new found sense of restraint to take RCC up to 120. After Mo (51) and Sacha (62) were out we had a typical RCC middle order wobble but some powerful blows from the lower order and some less powerful singles from me got RCC to 220 all out of 49 overs.

After the refuelling on beetroot and humous sandwiches we started superbly in the field with opening spells from Umer Munir (4-35), James Boxall and Zak Khan (3-38) leaving Caterham reeling at 54-5 and then 90-6. Caterham fought back with a chanceless 8th wicket partnership to set up the thrilling finish in the dark and rain. Umer kept his nerve.

Highlights were an excellent game overall played in good spirit by both sides, a debut from James Willacy and Umer getting off the mark with a 7 (a run three followed by a 4 overthrows).

The draw means the 2s have an important couple weeks to ensure we end the season looking upwards and not looking over our shoulders.

RCC Cavillers v Roehampton Bats

One a lovely summer's day, on the RCC heath, the Cavaliers went toe to toe against local friendly rivals, the Roehampton Bats. Both teams had 10 men. Both teams had players looking for form.

Roehampton 'won' the toss, by agreement with the Bats and went to put runs on the board first. We did this, slowly and for the loss of a few more wickets earlier than any self-respecting captain would have liked. Matt Evans was imperious, ably supported by Fahad Hasan and Ed Flint, attacking the change bowlers. The Cavs finish on a respectable and defendable 174 off 40 overs.

The Bats turn to bat: opening bowlers Will Paul and Fahad tightened the screws, and under scoreboard pressure, get two good wickets. However, despite continued good bowling and creditable fielding, the Bats' managed to press on, building a strong third-wicket partnership and winning the match with a few overs to spare.

Well played all, and many thanks to everyone who turned out to make it an enjoyable day with a special shout out to young Billy Wilkinson for his fielding efforts. If you - colts or seniors - would like to play Sunday friendly matches please do make yourself available on Pitchero or get in touch. They run every Sunday until mid-September.

Next Week / Availability

Two more important fixtures next week – 1XI away at Newdigate CC and 2XI at home to Sheen Park. Please set your availability on the website or app and let’s get two strong sides out to bounce back and lets get a good turn out at training on Wednesday night. The Cavs have home friendly next Sunday as normal.