The 2nd XI made the trip to Ramsdell today clinging to the increasingly delusional hope that every weather app in existence had got it spectacularly wrong and that we might actually complete a game of cricket.
A Slow Burn in the Field
After an early downpour drifted through, we finally got underway with Ben Weller-Evans and Alex “Rogey Bear” Rogers asking some decent questions of the Rams openers. Thankfully one of them eventually answered incorrectly as Rogey found the edge of Chambers, well held by Will Rabley behind the stumps.
From there Ramsdell rebuilt through Magnus Wilson and Paul Burrows in a partnership that was effective, disciplined and, if we’re being honest, about as entertaining as a parish council meeting.
Mike Tiley eventually removed Wilson for 71-2, inducing a leg side feather that Will again gathered smartly. Unfortunately that merely opened the door for an extended session of attritional cricket as Burrows settled in, punished anything loose and survived several dropped chances from The Oaks. As every cricketer knows, dropping good batsmen is generally considered a poor tactical choice. We tested that theory thoroughly.
Sticking at it Admirably
Tiley and Mike Bryant stuck at it admirably in damp, gloomy conditions while Bob Lethaby produced a tidy six over spell that deserved more reward than it received, although the final over slightly vandalised the economy figures. Burrows meanwhile completed a well-made century. It had the customary slice of village cricket fortune attached to it, but it was still an excellent knock.
Noah then drew the short straw for a few overs at the death and suffered accordingly, assisted in no small part by tiring fielders whose movements had begun to resemble men walking through waist-high water. Rogey closed things out with two superb overs, though figures of one wicket felt criminally meagre for the quality he bowled.
Still, restricting Ramsdell to 214 for 2 on what looked a very decent batting surface felt manageable. Not ideal. Not disastrous. Cricket’s favourite middle ground.
A Chase That Barely Began
With dark clouds gathering and drizzle already hanging in the air, The Oaks knew a brisk start was needed. Instead we got whatever the opposite of that is.
Nigel Bishop, Kunal Solanki and Mike Tiley all departed cheaply to shots unlikely to feature in any coaching manual unless the chapter is titled “Absolutely Don’t Do This”. Suddenly 29-3 looked less like a platform and more like an emergency.
Remarkably though, there was still some optimism. The Oaks had batting left and several Rams fielders were operating in what can politely be described as the “vintage” category. The game remained alive. Then the rain returned and settled the matter with all the subtlety of a nightclub bouncer. Covers on. Players off. Match abandoned.
From desperately wanting the rain to stay away, we’d somehow reached the point where a washout felt suspiciously convenient.
Lessons, Excuses and Moving On
So what did we learn?
The bowling was good throughout and deserved more reward. The fielding and catching, less so. We worked hard but “average” is probably the diplomatic description. The batting also needs attention, particularly from the top order, because repeatedly collapsing early is a stressful way to spend Saturday afternoons.
Still, these are all things that can improve. Whether they actually do is another matter entirely and will probably define the season.
On we travel.
