Ross CC's First XI travelled away to Rushwick, fielding a very youthful side on Saturday, July 28th. Although the match was completed, the latter stages of the game were played to the accompaniment of rain. Ross won the toss and invited Rushwick to bat and at 17 for two wickets it seemed a wise choice. However the remaining batsmen, after a steady start (120 off 30 overs), put Ross to the sword and ended up on 272 for the loss of 7 wickets. Wicket takers for Ross, Harry Preece (4 for 60), Andrew Bevan (2 for 59) and Luke Gray (1 for 42), with Jeremy North ably assisting with four catches in the outfield. Ross's reply suffered the early loss of Graham Farmer (5) at 23 for 1, but Sebastian Warwick (44) and Jeremy North (23) put on a 51 partnership but were both out by the 23rd over, with Ross 76 for 3. Andrew Bevan (11) and Graham Howls (21) injected a brief increase in the run rate but both were gone by the 28th over and Ross were 112 for 5. Perhaps a desire to come in out of the rain prompted the tail to go for it, but the game was over in the next eight overs, the Ross innings closing on 140, a big 132 run defeat. The Second XI were unable to host Rushwick's Second XI as the pitch is sodden and still underwater in parts. Many thanks to everyone for their patience as the club tries to return to normal coaching sessions and junior and senior matches.
