Epic Run Chase falls just short!

Game 3 of our return to cricket saw the 3rd’s head to Raunds. Good to not have to worry about setting up all the pre-match requirements and to let the other team deal with those. All Kev needed to do was win the toss which he did and decide to bowl. (I’m not really that predictable – am I?)

On a green looking track the skipper decided to open the bowling with James Dadge and himself. After a pretty quick first ball from James which saw Raunds opening bat play from square leg, it was clear that he wasn’t really up for the contest. A few verbals and charges up the pitch and swings of the bat saw him charge across the offside leaving James to clear up his off stump.19 for 1 with Mr Dicks moaning that “he was too fast for this division! or words to that effect”

After a reasonably tight first 10 overs, Kev and James were replaced for Finn Herrington and Joe Moss (playing his first game for the club). Joe bowled Ogden in his first over bringing skipper Dan Piggott to the crease. 49 for 2. When the other opener departed also bowled by Joe, Raunds were 73 for 3. Indifferent fielding and some crucial dropped catches (including a sitter from the skipper!) saw Piggott steady the ship reaching fifty and then his hundred scoring 112 out of 198 for 7 off their 40 overs. Good bowling performances from Joe Moss 2 for 14 off 8 overs, George Pitt an unlucky spell of 0 for 33 off 6 overs and a quick spell from James who finished with 1 for 19 off his 8 overs. Ian Street picked up 3 for 42 including Piggott 3 balls before the end of the innings when Finlay Moffat clung on to one.

So Horton were set 199 to win in front of a growing noisy Raunds crowd sitting at lots of separated tables. Mark Glover and Chris Archer opened the batting steadily reaching the 7th over when Mark was bowled by Dicks for 12.(a ball that moved a lot, what did they clean the ball with?) 19 for 1.

Chris followed soon after being stumped for 6 and one over later Graham missing a straight one 23 for 3 off 10 overs. (not the best of starts). This brought together Mike McDonnell and Joe Moss and what followed was an excellent partnership of 129 for the fourth wicket. Firstly, they steadied the rot reaching 64 for 3 at the drinks break and getting us to the point of needing 78 off the last 10 overs for victory. Mike was eventually out LBW to Piggott for 65. Joe continued to look good for his 69 putting on another 34 quick runs in partnership with Finlay Moffat but eventually was run out failing to make it back for a second run. Finlay finally was out off the final ball of the game with Horton falling just short reaching a spirited 190 for 5 in reply.

In short, a cracking game of cricket which we probably should have won with catches going to hand. Still good to see Mike back in the runs and Joe showing us what he can do with both bat and ball.

We move on to another away fixture against Long Buckby next week with a good performance behind us. Well played guys.

Result Raunds 2nd’s win by 8 runs.

Points Raunds 20 Horton 3 bowling points, batting points (who knows? probably 3 maybe 5?)