The Green & Golds
secured a resounding 9-wicket victory over
Williamstrip, on the back of their best fielding
display of the season.
Flammy Wellman bowled
well into the strong breeze in his fruitless spell,
but provided plenty of pace and aggression with 4
maidens in his 6-over outing. The other Northleach
bowlers all picked up the wickets with Glen Crompton
(2 for 23) and Ritchie Blackmore (3 for 18) setting
up the batsmen, but the star of the show was
"Barney" Blundell. He bowled with pace and guile,
around the wicket and claimed his first "five-for"
of the season (5 for 16). Only Steve Reeves got into
his stride for Williamstrip, hitting a fine 36
before falling to a full-length swinging delivery
from Crompton. None of the other home batsmen were
allowed to settle, as the Rams' assertive fielding
ensured that no singles were there for the taking -
the final 9 wickets falling for just 27 runs in 12
overs!
Chasing the small
total could have led to over-confidence, and losing
Crompton early gave the home side some cheer. The
combination of Blackmore (60no) and Mark Larner
(10no) struck the ball well, the former taking on
all bowlers as he raced to a fine half-century off
only 26 balls faced. Larner made sure of his
double-figure contribution with a well-struck 6 into
the car park, before Blackmore regained the strike
and finished the run-chase with two big sixes of his
own.
Another good win for
the Rams, who now look forward to playing Adlestrop
at the Northleach Arena in 2 weeks time.
