Hayden and Toony heroics stave off defeat

What can only be described a sloppy bowling and fielding performance with too many half volleys, dropped catches, overthrows, long hops and miss fields, gifted Ratby an above par score in a significant game at the top of the division. Chadwick who looks a class player scored an excellent century, but it wasn't chanceless and Samsome another quality player supported well after Ed Lee had made a brisk 41 which included 2 lives.

From 200-2 and looking at a score around 300 Ratby subsided as Toony with 3-46 and Matt 3-34 whittled through the middle and late order with some accurate bowling and a recovery of sorts in the field. Dan Joe and Gaz all took decent catches, but by this time Ratby were assured of 250 plus.

In reply Gaz and Ben both departed early and Dan promoted up the order soon followed. Matt and Kumara put together a partnership before Kumara mistimed a slap to mid on. Matt batted really well and was unlucky to be adjudged LBW for 27 and then last weeks hero Sharpe senior came and went as did the skipper. Hayden looked in good nick after surviving a couple of dodgy moments and from 97-7 Hayden and Toony added 79. Hayden was finding the boundary regularly as he put together his highest first team score of 70 which contained 13 4's and a 6 Toony was also looking in good form, taking a liking to the first change bowler pulling him for 6 into the corn field, in this position an unlikely victory looked possible

Hayden went for one big shot too many and holed out, but it was an excellent knock breathing life into an innings that was fast subsiding, 58 runs in boundaries in his 70 shows the power of his hitting. Toony took over and found an ally in Joe, together they batted for 8 overs adding 36 before Joe departed without troubling the scorers!

Ash came in and helped Toony reach a richly deserved 50 with a boundary through mid wicket, a well constructed and entirely sensible knock, getting full value form bad balls and protecting his partners when necessary. It was down to Ash to see out the last over to secure the draw, which he duly did although Ratby gave everything to an LBW appeal on the penultimate ball. A losing draw with good bonus points in the end not too bad after the horrors of the first 40 overs.!!

back to basics next week guys and promotion should still be on the cards.