R is for Regret

On a sweltering afternoon no one was surprised when Scott lost the toss and the Rs were asked to boil, sorry bowl. After an explosive start from the Alcester openers, Eike Gilbert and Scott Rogers soon found their length and, in his first spell, Elmer turned into Scrooge and Scott's figures read 7-5-5-2 (including a four off his first ball). Lee and Strain continued to attack and reached 91 before Danny Chinn snared Lee caught by Leon Clarke. The ever youthful Leon then produced 10 overs of fine line and length and was unlucky not to have a couple of decisions go his way, but 10-2-25-0 was keeping the score in check. Gary Strain continued to compile a steady 73 but a returning Eike had him caught behind. Wickets then started to fall but the runs were still amassing, greatly aided by a below par performance in the field with too many easy runs being given way. Alcester reached 248-9 but, with a quick outfield and the Rs strong batting line up, a win was very much obtainable.

Rowington bowling figures – Eike 10-1-quite a lot-3, Scott 10-5-27-3, Leon 10-2-25-0, Danny 10-0-alot-2, Billy 5-0-26-0.

After last week's batting performance Alex Smith and Clive Haywood opened again and looked solid, steadily picking up runs. With a strong batting line up behind them they started to up the pace and put on 98 for the second week running before Clive decided that his new holiday haircut was being ruined by his helmet, walked past one and was stumped for 45. Alex carried on with positive intent and, despite loosing Graham Sly and Simon Cross cheaply, hit two fine straight sixes to prove to the skipper which toilet he should be using. The run rate, however, was starting to creep upwards and 100 were needed off the last 10 but with 7 wickets in hand it was still on. Alex departed for a very fine 87 and, after a few lusty swishes from Eike the affect of which was only to cool down the Alcester players as he departed for just 1, it was left to the Danny and Tommy to score 90 off the last 6. Danny got his big guns out for a rapid 23 and, with Tommy continuing his fine form of the week before, they took the score to 211 off 43 leaving 38 required from the last 2. Tommy and the manly skipper clouted 24 off the 44th over and the Alcester boys went a bit quiet and had all departed to the far extremities of the pitch. However, it was not to be as an excellent last over from Capron left the Rs short by 12 runs with Tommy finishing on an excellent 51 not out. A match which the Rs will look back on with a tinge of regret and a case of what could have been.

Clive Haywood