Keith's Memories of R.C.C.

Enfield C.C. v Rawtenstall C.C. Saturday 26th April 08

Saturday saw us taking the trip across to Enfield. As seems to be the
norm these days weather was foremost on our minds.All of us had seen
different programs,but they all came to the same conclusion rain,when?
Nobody had that answer.The home side won the toss and fielded.
Chris and Paynie opened and were going along nicely until Chris padded
up to Keith Barker,and was on his way lbw for 3.Nathan joined Paynie,
but not for long smartly caught at slip for 4 off the same bowler.
Danny B was involved in a 13 run partnership (most of which were wides)
then skied one off Barker and was out for a blob. 30 for 3 and in a spot of bother.
The Enfield bowlers generously bowling wides at regular intervals. Sealy departed
with the score on 47,having made 4.Jay Lo Hayman over balanced and was smartly stumped
by "my pet chimp" Mark Burns for nought. 49 for 5 but Paynie was still there.Dowling replaced
Hiini and had Paynie caught behind for 29.We were now in a lot of trouble at 55 for 6.
The generosity of the home side knew no bounds wides were gifted in 5s ,3s and 2s.
20 put on for the7th wicket of which only 7 came off the bat.Will C-M departed having
gotten a shooter.Drinks were then taken and the opening bowlers returned.Vin departed
bowled by Barker trying to take the fight to Enfield.Kingy then became Barkers' 5th
scalp playing back to one he should have been playing forward to(his assessment not
mine).It was left to Afi and me to try to get to three figures,although we put 13 on for the last wicket
we were all out for 90. Interestingly 31 of which were extras including 25 wides.
So our run of 11 wins looked like coming to an end.After a rousing speech from
the Skipper and a rain interruption we lost 3 overs so Enfields revised target was
86.We had to take early wickets.Enfield moved edgily onto 21 in 10 overs when
Nathan had Craig Fergusson caught at mid on for 15.Adam Bracewell came out and
looked to play positively cracking a couple of boundaries.With the score on 34 that
man McCullum struck again,bowling the other opener Maudsley for 5.He was quickly
followed by Keith Barker who lobbed a gentle catch to Chris at mid-on for Nathans
third wicket of the afternoon.Adam Bracewell decided to shoulder arms to the arm ball
and was bowled for 12, 37 for 4 was soon 37 for 6 as Nathan had his opposite number
trapped lbw for zero and Burns bowled through the gate also without scoring.The Enfield
skipper fared no better bowled through the gate for a duck.38 for 7.Andy Barker and
Dowling added 5 before Dowling fell to another arm ball bowled for another duck,
43 for 8.O'Loughlin was brilliantly caught by Afi at mid-wicket for 1 giving Nathan his
seventh wicket of the afternoon.It was left to me to take the final wicket,having Andy
Barker caught by Big Vin for 5 giving me my 1,000 league wicket for Rawtenstall,
and I can't think of a more deserving player to catch it than the Big man.
Having grasped victory from the jaws of defeat we also equalled the club record
of 12 straight victories. I am led to believe the boys had a celebratory drink or two
after such a memorable win. All credit to Nathan who ripped the spine and heart
out of Enfield with a fantastic spell of off spin taking 7 for 31 superb.
'till next week see you laytur Kes.

Full Match Report Listing | Scorecards | League Table | Selection | Nearly News