A great team performance and comprehensive win.

At long last the weather we have all been waiting for had arrived, blazing sunshine, 29 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, back on the heath for our first home game, leather on willow - perfection.

RCC lost the toss and O&L chose to bat. Kalen opened the bowling, having waited 10 months for his hat trick ball, it was not to be. He and Toby bowled well and pinned O&L down, with just 7 runs scored from 4 overs with 1 wicket (Toby). William joined this opening attack also bowling economically and taking 2 wickets (both caught by Sam). After 9 overs O&L were 28-3 and heading for a sub 100 score. The whole team had fielded superbly, stopping many singles and turning fours into ones. Maxwell had a good game behind the wicket, standing up to the stumps he latched on to almost everything that came his way (even those from Kalen!). From here a few more extras were given, but the wickets continued to fall, most notably with Jared bowling the danger man on 19. RCC couldn't quite finish off the tail-enders and thus O&L had the benefit of all 24 overs. Closing on a respectable 114-8. As per last week we had given away a few too many extras (next week's training will be on consistently bowling a good line).

Last week we scored 115 for a tie, this week it was the target for a win. We started steadily, and were in touch with the required rate after 4 overs. Sam joined Toby as no.3 and the scoring rose, tipping the game in RCC's favour. To win, one, or other, or both were going to need to get to retirement at 30. Toby was caught on 13, and Jared came in to join Sam. This pair accelerated the scoring soon putting the game out of sight for O&L, now it wasn't a question of if RCC would win, just when. On 23, Sam hit a huge 6 over deep extra cover, bringing him to 29, which his Dad pointed out to him,
"So, I'll just hit another 6 then shall I?"
Which he duly did with an exact repeat on the very next ball. Henry D not wanting to be outdone, came in and hit two sixes of his own, scoring 14 runs off just 7 balls before being caught. Whilst this was going on at one end, at the other Jared was building a great innings of his own, finishing 25 not out (24 balls), with 5 fours, unfortunately he was deprived of his retirement by the winning line. RCC had won emphatically, with eight overs remaining.

A fabulous team performance, particularly in the field - well done to you all.

Man of the match - Sam