RCC lost to Old Rutlishians by 20 runs

Firstly, a big thank you to all the parents for submitting almost endless availability updates at short notice, allowing us to get this rearranged fixture played.

At last we have managed to beat the rain and get the Colts season underway. As Merton council has closed all their pitches and Putney Heath continues to do a good impression of a paddling pool, this away fixture was moved to Barn Elms. The pitch was far from ideal, being very soggy, slow and 5 yards too short! With a bit of collective initiative we worked around these obstacles and got play underway (on a full size strip, bowling from just one end).

New recruit Olly opened the bowling, first ball - dot, second ball wicket (caught by Toby), wow, what a great start. Toby took the second over and clean bowled the opener and number 3 with the first 2 balls of his season. Toby is on a hat trick, the batsman connected and sent the ball high for the boundary, obscured by the low sun the fielder could not quite hold on to it. With Old Ruts 1 for 3 off 8 balls, the game looked to be already over. From here the match slowly turned to Old Ruts favour, with steady shot making and 2 retirements at 30, they closed at 125 for 4.

Sam and Olly both batted well, with fine strokes and well considered shot selection. They both retired not out at 30 runs apiece. They had hit 4 fours each and Sam also chalked up a six. RCC were always behind the required run rate and as the middle and late order started to hit out wickets quickly tumbled. 3 wickets in the final over had Sam & Olly return to the crease, but with too few balls remaining defeat was inevitable. RCC score of 105 would have won most games last season, a good team performance that bodes well for 2012.

Man of the match - Sam V. 34* (from 24 balls)