Ross First XI won their last league fixture of the season by 96 runs at home against Himbleton on Saturday, September 1st. Ross were invited to bat first and lost an early wicket in the second over. Sebastian Warwick and Stuart Mair recovered the situation against an accurate attack and moved the score to 41 by the 14th over before Seb was dismissed for 25. Graham Howls joined Stuart and they gradually got on top of the Himbleton first and second change bowlers and put on 67 runs in eleven overs, which ended when Mair (22) gave a return catch. Captain Andrew Bevan then joined Howls, and they completely dominated the attack for the next eight overs putting on 83 runs before Graham was out for 47 after a good batting performance. The score had moved to 191 for 4 off 33 overs. The incoming batsmen found it hard to get the ball away but gave good support to their captain and very useful partnerships ensued. Andrew Bevan reached his century with a mighty leg sweep over square leg and when he was bowled for 118, (10 fours & 9 sixes) the score had progressed to 247 for 7 off 45 overs. Chris Gage (12) and Tim Barnard (17) led the final run spree and 41 runs came from the last five overs. Ross all out for 288. Rob Kyle gave Ross an encouraging start, dismissing an opener in the second over, but Himbleton battled back and had reached 74 by the fifteenth over. The Ross attack was now all spin and Barnard and Gage started to cause problems. Wickets began to fall and in the space of 26 overs, the spinners captured the remaining nine wickets, Himbleton were all out for 192. Chris Gage returned excellent figures of 15.1 - 2 - 46 - 5, which was just reward for his best bowling performance for a while. Tim Barnard's return was 18 - 1 - 84 - 4. This deserved win moved Ross up two places in the league table to sixth, regrettably the season is over just as several Ross players are running into form.
