Chasing just 127 to win, the 3rds found themselves 10-4 at lunch and staring down the barrel of a possible Englandesque (anytime in the 90s especially against the West Indies) batting collapse.

However, not unlike Eric from Bananaman, when Jordan Cafferkey eats a cheese on onion sandwich an amazing transformation occurs...Jordan is MatchWinningMan ever alert to the call of action!

ahem...

After tea the tables were turned and his 57 during the next 15 overs meant the target of 127 was made light work of with Ramsey winning in the 25th over. He was ably assisted by club captain Taylor West (28) and his elder brother Michael (29*).

Earlier in the day some tight bowling had set the scene for the victory. The wickets were well spread around with Elliot Cafferky (3-12), Ed Manchett (2-23) and youngster Jace Anderson (2-17) all bowling well to restrict Khalsa.

Scorecard

The 2nd XI had a day to forget on Saturday, and it will be a case of the season starting again next weekend for them.

Travelling away against title favorites Blunham was always going to be a tough start to the season, and so it proved as Blunham took full advantage of some poor bowling and a tiny ground. Kanchana Rodrigo and captain Connor Heaps both scored quick fire centuries, Rodrgo scoring 166 in just 134 balls and Heaps scoring 113 in 99 balls. Poor Michael Pickard must of been cursing, being the only man out when he was bowled by Adrian Cade.

Cade could only bowl 1.2 overs, before injury saw his day brought to an end. He may of been the difference if he had stayed fit, as only Steve Brown and himself were able to bowl at under 5 runs per over.

Blunham final total of 310 was always going to be a tall order to chase down. And so it proved with only 3 batsmen getting into double figures. Ash Wells batted well for 70, getting to his half century with a brutal heave over mid-wicket and Matthew Slack looked good before being caught for 32.

In the end the 2nds were bowled out for 172, losing by 138 runs.

Despite this, it didn't stop John Wells celebrating his sons half century in style!

Scorecard

Saturday afternoon in freezing cold conditions at Cricketfield Lane saw Ramsey amass a total of 213/3 declared in 43 overs. 

Aussie import Luke Stewart scored his first century for the club, getting there at speed off of just 75 balls. It included 3 sixes in a row of Sawston's Kiwi spinner Vaughan Blanchard, this was particulary pleasing for the Aussie! Luke was ably supported by the top order by the Cafferkey brothers Michael 28 and Simon 36 with Jimmy Markland contributing a solid 42. All 3 wickets were picked up by Vaughan Blanchard.

In reply Sawston were never really in the hunt and from around the 20th over it was really a question of whether they could hold on for a draw. Once again Sam Rippington the 5 wicket man from last week against Castor & Ailsworth was at it again. Having lost the early wicket of Luke Spears to skipper Taylor West, Sam proceeded to 'rip' out the heart of the Sawston batting with a spell of 7 overs 4 for 17. the two Michael's Kay and Cafferkey also chipped in with a wicket and despite Sam picking up his second five for in a row Sawston managed to hang for a draw, much of the credit for which must go to Mathew Ellis who batted for 17 overs for 24 not out.

Scorecard

Ian Rippington - 29/04/2013

Just a quick word on match fees for all those players who play in 1st XI, 2nd XI or 3rd XI matches.

- All match fees are due on match day, these will be £7 a person per match.
- Please find your captain and pay you match fees to them when you arrive to the game, before the game starts. Make it easy for them, do not wait to be asked.
- If match fees are not received, you will not be served at the bar until they have been paid.
- If match fees are not paid on the day of the match, they will be invoiced separately via email at £10 per match.

Last season a lot of time and effort was spent chasing up unpaid match fees, this is a waste of volunteers time and it also shows a disrespect to your captain, your team mates and your club.

This may sound harsh, but for every 2 fixtures (H&A) it costs a total of over £160 in umpires, teas and match balls. So we cannot allow match fees to go unpaid where they are due.

THE GOOD NEWS


There is still the chance to pay for match fees upfront, either paying by a lump sum or by direct debit. You can pay for as many matches as you like and there are still discounts of 10% and 5% available.


This will only be available until the END OF APRIL, so if you want to take advantage of this great offer that has been running since February you can do HERE


So in short, lets get the money and admin out of the way as soon as you arrive at the ground, and then its 100% cricket!!!

It was a great start to the league campaigns last week for both the 1st XI and 3rd XI, with both teams securing great victories. This weekend sees all three mens' teams play.

On Saturday at 1pm the 1st XI play host to Sawston at Cricketfield Lane, whilst the 2nd XI kick off their season with an away fixture against Blunham.

On Sunday the 3rd XI are at home against Khalsa, again a 1pm start.

Look forward to seeing you all there.

Ladies (and girls over13!). Fancy playing cricket this summer? Squad meeting and signing tonight (Friday), 6.30pm at Ramsey Cricket Club. Contact Katie Critchley for more details.

A quick reminder that junior training begins today at RCC. Under 9's is from 6pm to 7pm and U10's to U15's is from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Please arrive 5-10 mins before the start time so we have time to take register and collect money etc.

To keep updated please like our page on facebook, follow us on twitter and keep an eye on this website.

You can also add a news feed to your email programme by adding the link http://www.ramseycricketclub.co.uk/1/feed to you RSS folder.

There is still time to pay for yearly memberships and match fees upfront or by direct debit. This offer will run until the 30th April, after which it will not be available and you will have to pay the full amount in one lump sum.

So to take up the offer of saving either 10% (by paying a lump sum) or 5% (by paying by direct debit) please follow the links on our website here

Once we are in May, we will be chasing up any outstanding memberships, so please make things as easy as possible for our club volunteers and pay your subs as soon as possible.

Elliot Cafferkey took the family bragging rights this weekend after guiding the 3rd XI to a fine victory over Brampton on Sunday, prompting team-mate James Markland to pop the cork on the Amaretto bottle at 'The Ram' in a post-match bell-ringing bonanza.