This weekend Ramsey 2nd XI took on Barnack away and came back with the spoils following a low scoring affair.
Despite the sun shining the track was soft and wet from the weeks rainfall and it looked like winning the toss would be crucial, however captain Slack continued his run of being a useless tosser and lost once again!
The upside being the late arrival of so many Barnack players forcing their skippers hand to have a bat. It wasn't long before his decision backfired and the influential Nick Page struck, a good opening spell saw him return 4 for 30 from his 12 overs. Some tight bowling the other end from Ashley Wells, seemingly re-invigorated from his Chinese the night before.. and the Rams were on top. Once again the newly formed spin partnership of Woodward and Cafferkey (J) came on to a spinners paradise to bowl a joint spell totalling 16 overs, yeilding 5 wickets for the cost of just 21 runs! Barnack were therefore skittled for exactly 100 in 34 overs.
It is worth mentioning some sharp catches, some excellent all round fielding and a far better spirit than the previous week demonstrated the benefits of 8 2nd XI players training this week!!
With a small target in mind the Rams decided to try and put the match to bed early but were thwarted by some excellent bowling from a Barnack team seemingly suited to the conditions, they utilised a spin attack and bowlers with low slingy actions that seemed to cause havoc with the Rams chase. Once again some interesting shot selection saw the demise of Smith, Manchett and Slack in quick succession, however promoted to an opening birth Tom Burns batted patiently to stabilise the innings before getting tied down and losing his wicket trying to pick up the pace. With around 40 runs still to get and 5 down Rams could have panicked however Ashley Wells once again stepped up to the plate with a lovely timed innings despatching the bad balls and seeing off the good to see the Rams home in a draining 42 overs with a well timed 28 not out.
This weekend the Rams are at home to Burleigh Park who are famed for there summer charge up the table when their university contingent return home, lets hope that the Rams successive victories will now give them the confidence to push onwards further up the table.
Report by Vinny Woodward
Despite the sun shining the track was soft and wet from the weeks rainfall and it looked like winning the toss would be crucial, however captain Slack continued his run of being a useless tosser and lost once again!
The upside being the late arrival of so many Barnack players forcing their skippers hand to have a bat. It wasn't long before his decision backfired and the influential Nick Page struck, a good opening spell saw him return 4 for 30 from his 12 overs. Some tight bowling the other end from Ashley Wells, seemingly re-invigorated from his Chinese the night before.. and the Rams were on top. Once again the newly formed spin partnership of Woodward and Cafferkey (J) came on to a spinners paradise to bowl a joint spell totalling 16 overs, yeilding 5 wickets for the cost of just 21 runs! Barnack were therefore skittled for exactly 100 in 34 overs.
It is worth mentioning some sharp catches, some excellent all round fielding and a far better spirit than the previous week demonstrated the benefits of 8 2nd XI players training this week!!
With a small target in mind the Rams decided to try and put the match to bed early but were thwarted by some excellent bowling from a Barnack team seemingly suited to the conditions, they utilised a spin attack and bowlers with low slingy actions that seemed to cause havoc with the Rams chase. Once again some interesting shot selection saw the demise of Smith, Manchett and Slack in quick succession, however promoted to an opening birth Tom Burns batted patiently to stabilise the innings before getting tied down and losing his wicket trying to pick up the pace. With around 40 runs still to get and 5 down Rams could have panicked however Ashley Wells once again stepped up to the plate with a lovely timed innings despatching the bad balls and seeing off the good to see the Rams home in a draining 42 overs with a well timed 28 not out.
This weekend the Rams are at home to Burleigh Park who are famed for there summer charge up the table when their university contingent return home, lets hope that the Rams successive victories will now give them the confidence to push onwards further up the table.
Report by Vinny Woodward