Tommy Guns the Rs to a win

On a glorious summer's afternoon the Bards were the visitors to Rowington and normal service was resumed when Scott promptly lost the toss and was put in to bat.

After last week's debacle the Rs' openers of Alex Smith and Clive Haywood started cautiously with only 5 runs being scored after the first 5 overs. However, they gradually upped the pace and the runs started to flow a little easier. Alex decided that he didn’t want to have drinks with everyone else so chipped one to midwicket off the bowling of Malone for 40, with the opening partnership putting on 98. Young Haywood was joined by Tommy Williams who, after being run out without facing a ball in his last match, wasted no time in ensuring he got some runs against his name. He then provided a master class in despatching anything slightly loose and quickly overtook the stylish Haywood. Tommy deservedly reached a fine century hitting 20 fours and a large total looked on the cards. Despite the skipper coming out to question the gender of both batsmen for failing to hit a six, the elegant Haywood also eventually crawled to a hundred. With a few proper shots along the ground (note to the skipper - you can’t get caught if you hit it along the ground) a total of 305-1 was reached with Williams unbeaten on 129 not out and Haywood 111 not out, the pair putting on 207.

After a fine tea Rowington took to the field with the bowlers fresh and raring to go. Eike Gilbert and Danny Chinn roared in and the Bards' openers survived well until a beauty from Danny removed Rathly’s off stump. Malone entered the fray and a fired up Danny bounced him out and hit wicket. At the other end Duguid was standing resolute until an ill-judged single to the ever alert Baldrick whose excellent direct hit saw him well short. After his departure the wickets started to fall with Leon Clarke bowling a tidy spell and inducing a nick behind, well taken by Naz. The skipper, feeling a bit left out, joined the party and bowled Perkins, and the returning Chinn picked up another. After his batting Tommy was feeling a bit left out of the spot light so instigated another fine run out and then was tossed the ball by the skipper; first delivery chipped in the air and, despite his legs having seized up, Haywood managed to stumble forward and take the catch. Elmer Rogers swopped ends in a bid to make his figures look a bit better and promptly bowled Paton to leave the Rs winners by 183 runs.

Bowling figures: Gilbert 10-2-35-0, Chinn 10-3-30-3, Clarke 8-4-14-1, Rogers 8.4-2-16-2, Williams 2-1-5-1.

Clive Haywood