Match Report by Matty D - 1s vs Deando Ruxley

The 1XI started 2008 with a victory against Deando Ruxley.

Our team included the returning Raza, the debutants Hooper and Walsh, and the promotion of Junaid following the late cancellation of the 2xi fixture (and the now traditional pre-season injury to Mackie).

Deando Ruxley is a pleasant ground in Ewell adjacent to a LA Fitness complex, meaning there were always people around. The ground itself is large with two cricket squares. The ground was lush and greener than Alan Titchmarsh. The pitch reflected this. Recently relaid they were reluctant to take too much grass off, especially early season, so it was destined to be a slow track. And it proved to be the case.

Losing the toss, the Wick were inserted, with Fullers League rules being the order of the day. Sayce and Cole put on an excellent opening partnership of near 50, although with the outfield as slow as it was, it was worth another 25 on top of that. No boundaries were scored, but lots of 2s were run!

Sayce fell. Bowled. He was quickly followed by Hooper, who found it difficult to adjust from Joey at The Oval to slow dobbers at Deando. Raza, who literally hadn't picked up a bat since 2007, came out all guns and middled it from ball one. He fell soon enough however, middling one straight to mid off. Cole, probably bored, skied one and the Wick were stuttering slightly at 65-4.

O'Mahoney and the debutant Walsh patiently nurdled their way to another important 50 partnership, O'Mahoney taking the lead with an impressive 50 making scoring look much easier than anyone else all day. With the score at 140-odd, Davies and Ewen came to the crease. Davies ran himself out trying to do a Mackie, whilst Ewen decided to bring the long handle out and found a maximum straight.

The Wick 168-7 declared off 47.5

Teas. Simple sandwiches, but lovely soft bread and additionals of pate, home made chocolate treats and the ol' scotch egg/pork pie combo. No complaints, other than the squash which was weak. 6/10.

The aim was to give batsmen time in the middle, and bowlers overs under their belt. Ewen opened up, and after waiting 30 overs for the first Wick boundary... Deando managed one off ball one. Joey and Ted Goodwin's opening overs each were expensive, with the plucky Africaans speaking opener happy to bludgeon everything Gilchrist style. However, Ewen proved too strong and nailed him lbw pretty soon afterwards, before nailing the #3 in the same over with a banana of a fast inswinger. Goodwin followed this with an lbw, leaving Deando struggling at 25-3. Always on top of things thereafter, the Wick rotated the bowling to give everyone overs. Ford proved again he is lethal on such tracks, nagging his way to 4 wickets, two of which were expertly caught by O'Mahoney standing up.

Special mention to Junaid who picked up a wicket on debut, bowling 4 excellent overs of controlled medium pace. His bowling was calmer and more mature than his indoor pre-season performances had been, which bodes well for the future.

Ewen returned toward the end to help Ford mop up the tail, and Deando were all out for 100 off 40 overs.

All in all, a good performance and a good way to start the year. The habit of winning is something the side needs to continue next week, when Godalming will prove to be a tougher test.

Individually, the returning Raza and Hooper will need to adjust to English slow green tops if their performances are to match their talent - but that will come. Ewen and Ford again bowled their usual tight stuff, and found reward picking up wickets each.

Cole and Sayce provided a solid platform from which the team could build a good total.

Walsh on debut showed himself to be light on his feet and also that he has a good cricket brain, contributing to a match winning partnership.

MOM was O'Mahoney. The outstanding batsman on the day, shown by both ability and runs. He also kept superbly, taking catches, keeping up the chat, and conceeding no byes.

Everything bodes well