Over and Out for the Rs

Although there had been a lot of rain about the Rowington wicket was hard and looked a belter and therefore, on skipper Scott Rogers losing the toss (again!!!), it should not have been a major disadvantage to bat first especially with a long batting line up. However, at 12 for 2 things looked bleak with Overbury bowling well. A partnership of 47 between the skipper and Simon Cross started to mend the damage, but on 47 Scott was bowled and he was quickly followed by Haywood and Cross to leave the Rs in trouble at 96-5 off 31. A bright and breezy partnership between Eike Gilbert (32) and Danny Chinn (26) started to turn the tide but once they were out and, on the return of the impressive Brooks (9-3-18-4), the tail failed to wag and Rowington were all out for a dismal 169 off 42 overs.

Although a hearty tea was provided in an attempt to slow the Overbury batsmen and the introduction of a steel band playing at the Club provided further distraction, the openers Goodwin (55) and Munro (66) took everything that was thrown at them and patiently put on 95 before the introduction of Tommy Jefferson resulted in a catch by Billy Sly. Unfortunately it was too little too late. A fine effort by the skipper who picked up 4 wickets (9.2-3-26-4) and an impressive fiery spell from Danny Chinn was not enough and Overbury strolled home in 41 overs. The Rowington bowlers did nothing wrong, unfortunately the batsmen let them down giving them very little to defend on a good track.

There was nothing to smile about in the performance and therefore nothing to smile about in this report, although special mention does have to go to the attempt of Mr Shaw to throw the ball back from the boundary in front of his new home, the score box, for it to promptly go backwards over the roof.

The Rowington batsmen need to take heed of the Skipper's post match “little chat” as what was once fortress Rowington has now become an open prison.

Clive Haywood