Sunday 1s v Merstham (Home)

[eggyjoe]

Barney finally doesn’t lose it….

Alex Barnicott registered his first ever victory as captain of any team in any sport, as the Old Rutlishians Sunday First XI made it two from two with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Merstham in the Surrey Trust League.

Being the useless tosser that he is, the flip of the coin went Merstham’s way and we were stuck in the field on a fairly nice day with a good looking track. However, Ruts made the breakthrough in the first over as Half Pryce lumbered with good pace to trouble their opening bat, taking his edge to be caught well at slip by Egg. Despite Ruts being on top, in similar fashion to Flaners the night before, things did not all go their way as a small partnership followed between two fairly competent batsmen. Mad Dan and Half Pryce bowled excellent spells and probably deserved to take more wickets; they would have done had it not been for some lacklustre fielding from full-time student Barnicott and part-time meerkat Micheal Dodd. Leading by example, Barney dropped two in the slips and was quick to concede he should have taken them. Poor-man’s Lance Keen, Micheal Dodd put one down at mid-off but wasn’t helped by his baby arms, claiming that had he grown since birth they most probably would have been taken. The change of bowlers was Usman Mehmood and youngster Erol Moore. Communication proved difficult from Mehmood as his lack of ability to speak English combined with the removal of his glasses whilst bowling meant he lacked hearing and sight- touch was the substitute and Hamster gave the necessary orders. He did, however, bowl another impressive spell and took 2-22 off eight overs. Erol stuck with his task well and probably deserved more wickets than he got. In a well spirited game, Barnicott decided to spoil the atmosphere as he got into a bitter argument with the umpire who proceeded to ask for his name and enter it into his naughty book. Bad Barney. Barney and Egg bowled well taking one and two wickets respectively. It would have been more had Barney not dropped the biggest dolly in cricketing history off of his own bowling, as the batsman chipped it up Barney fumbled and a rapturous laughter came from the sidelines as they couldn’t believe what they had seen. Lance on the other hand, watching on, decided to hold his head in his hands more disappointed with Barnicott’s lack of ability to grab hold of his balls. 144-6 off of 40 overs and the Ruts felt they had a chance of victory. Fielder of the day went to Cameron who clearly scared the batsmen with his quick feet and superb ground-fielding; they took a quick single to every person in the ring apart from him…brilliant stuff.

Youngster Dodd and the mentally unstable Hamster opened up. Hamster was soon cleaned up to what can only be described as a straight one. Note to Hamster: stick with what scored you all those runs in the previous few seasons and stop thinking too much; we all know you have the ability to do it! This brought Riches to the crease. He and Dodd began to rebuild when Dodd got off the mark after eight overs. Painful stuff. He was eventually sledged by the umpire and was mistaken by the fielders for a colt, surprised that he wasn’t wearing a helmet, but was soon triggered for 4. Mapp came to the crease and kept the score ticking along. Egg departed for 39, should have made more and could do with working on the concentration said to be wavering due to the onlooking Keanes. Lindo and Mapp finished the game off hitting 37 and 29 respectively as the Ruts cruised over the line. Both looked in good touch and enabled the inflation of Mapp’s ego; despite being outscored by Lindo he proceeded to lead the team off the pitch but struggled later to fit through the changing room doors.

Fines were done after the game and gave everyone a good laugh and created a really good team spirit. Thoroughly enjoyed playing in this game and was great to see the likes of O’Niel, Mapp, Prycey, De Leon, Erol and Cameron play really well. Fielding could certainly improved…nets! Overall, a good win which keeps the momentum going on a Sunday.

[Mappy]

In my defence egg, neily did usher me off first..
Good performance with the bat and ball lads, work needed on the fielding though, fielding thursday!

[Sal]

Great report, you are now the designated report writer for the 1s. My efforts sound to solemn and boring.

Uni is over, so your not doing much anyway