A team lose thriller in last game of the season

The last indoor game of the season saw the A team lose a thriller against Ardleigh Green. Losing the toss and bowling first, Rainham were unable to create any early pressure with both openers retiring on 25. With a solid platform the license was there for the Green batsmen to really rack up a total, however Rainham clawed it back with three run outs in the middle overs with Hothi taking two of them and Charlie the last one. With both openers coming back in for the last two overs for a late onslaught, saw Ardleigh Green post an impressive 112-3.

Rainham’s opening combo Hothi and Patel got the team of to a solid start scoring a quick-fire 25 before Hothi was cleaned up for 10. Puncher was the next man in and played his way in as Patel put his foot down before being cleaned up one short of retiring. With the pressure mounting on Rainham, Nikhil and Puncher continued the momentum as Nikhil scored a quick 10 before being run out. With roughly 65 needed off the last 5 overs both youngsters Puncher and Ronnie batted superbly to put Rainham in with a chance of winning. Puncher then retired on 25, and it was left to Sullivan and Ronnie to see Rainham home. However, this didn’t last long as Sullivan was run out for 3. In came back Puncher to continue the excellent partnership with Ronnie but both were dismissed to leave Rainham 3 short of the target.

A mixed season for the A team who finished 4th in a tough group.

C Team End Indoor Season in Style

Dedicated cricketing Capatin, Brearley, was unavailable for this match (clashed with an Arsenal match), so Jas Hothi took charge of a very young team consisting of Joe Attfield, Charlie Puncher, Jamie Eacott, Ben Little & Raj Hothi to take on the indoor experience of Matt’s Melons.

Rainham bowled first with Jamie & Raj keeping it tight with Jamie being rewarded with an early wicket. First change bowler Ben Little also took an early wicket in his first over to leave the Melons on 17 for 2. A run out from Joe and a clean bowled from Charlie in his only over were the only other wickets to fall, but more consistent form all bowlers restricted the Melons to 81 after their 12. overs. Pick of the bowlers were Jamie and Ben taking 1 for 10 and 1 for 12 respectively   

Joe and Ben opened the innings with Ben being the first to fall with the score on 19. Joe was batting steadily but lost partners Raj and Jamie with the score on 32 after 5 overs. Joe alomost made the retirement score of 25, but his wicket fell with the score on 42 in the 8th over. Charlie and Jas took the score to 62 in the 11th over when Charlie was stumped. Things were not looking good until last man standing and stand in Captain, Jas, took charge and hit the winning runs off the final ball to end the season with a victory for the ‘C’ team and take his personal tally to 33 not out.      

 

Indoor: 1st XI Double Up

First up Rainham faced 2nd-placed Ardleigh Green and chose to bat first. After a solid start from Jas (20) and Garnett, Jono (37) and Sully (25) got stuck into the bowling, with Biren chipping in a quick 14 before being run-out in a commanding total of 110. Green’s chase never really got going and good bowling from the Rainham spin attack of Sully and Biren sealed a 40 run win.

In the second game Rainham once again batted first against old foes Seven Kings, but did not find it as easy this time, posting 79, with Jas, Sid, Jono and Sully all reaching the teens but getting out. Biren Patel managed to go one better in this innings by getting himself run-out, then getting run-out when running for last-man-standing Sully. Some good bowling again restricted Seven Kings, but with 20 needed from 2 overs they managed 15 from Jono’s final over. Garnett bowled the last with only 5 needed to win and 2 wickets in hand, but some tight lines to a packed offside field meant Kings had to risk runs – but their risks failed and when Garnett obliterated the stumps for two run-outs, Seven Kings were dismissed 4 short of the target. Rainham are still in with an outside chance of the title if other results go their way.

Indoor ‘B’ Team v Noak Hill

The ‘B’ Team had their final match of the season in divsion 2 against Noak Hill.

Rainham bowled first and Charlie Puncher was the pick taking 3 wickets with consistent Tyler bunn adding a further wicket as Noak Hill were dismssed for 70 runs.

Joe Attfield and Ronnie Jackson got off to a graet start with both adding over 20 runs each, with Joe being dismissed and Ronnie retiring.  With a solid platform created by the openers it just required some sensible batting to see the ‘B’ team to victory which was provided by Charlie Puncher with 8 not out and a final indoor match win.

It is likely the ‘B’ team will finish second in the league, which is an excellent achievement taking into account tougher opposition this season and a very young team playing every week. Special mention to Tom Herbert for taking on the captaincy and making it an enjoyable indoor season. 

 

 

 

Indoor ‘B’ Team v Harold Park – 31st January 2016

In their penultimate fixture the ‘B’ team took on Harold Park and duly lost the toss and were put into bat. Ronnie and in-form Charlie Puncher were the pick of the batsmen both scoring in the high 30s in a total of 105 all out.

 

Ronnie then capped a fine individual display by adding 3 Park wickets with good support from Tyler, 2 wickets, and Callum Bennett 1 wicket to dismiss the opposition for 95.

The final match for the ‘B’ team will be against Noak Hill on 14th February.