RASEN AVOID RAIN BUT NOT DEFEAT

By Andy Richley

The Bank Holiday weekend saw Lincs League Division 4 cricket return to Rase Park for the first time in 2010. The good burghers of Market Rasen had managed to control their enthusiasm for the event, but only barely. Alford and Rasen had fought tooth and nail for the last re-election place in 2009 and with both sides suffering contrasting defeats in their games so far in 2010 this was, rather tragically for the first weekend in May, a vital encounter. It was to be one that the more experienced lineup from Alford would, eventually, win with some comfort, emerging victorious by 62 runs and garnering maximum points.
With the storm clouds gathering and fresher conditions than had hitherto been encountered so far this season, Rasen won the toss and put Alford into bat on a track that was a little damp and looked as if it would reward bowlers hitting the seam. Unfortunately, the home side found themselves immediately under the pump. Kevin White and Jordan Dixon opened for Alford and in their contrasting styles they set about taking the game away from Rasen’s young side. Dixon crashed a quick-fire 80, teeing off at the first opportunity. Neither of Rasen’s openers were afforded the slightest respect as he set about dismantling the attack. Within four overs, Alford had raced out to 43 for 0, Rasen had dropped Dixon twice and White was yet to play a shot in anger!
With few options at his disposal, Rasen’s skipper, Andy Richley, brought himself on and, together with the spin of George Fussey, set about trying to stem the flow. The image of small Dutch boys and dykes comes to mind though in retrospect, as Dixon continued to flail the ball to all corners of the ground. The umpire (Roy Sutton) managed to conjure up a brief shower at the end of the 10th over, with Alford 77 for 0 and, in what could have been a mercy ruling, sent the players to the pavilion and the covers on.
After the resumption Dixon continued on his merry way, with White the silent partner as Alford forged to 104 before Dixon was the first man to fall for 80 (10 fours and 3 sixes) in the 17th over. With the danger man finally dismissed, thanks to some fine glove-work from Rory Jackson, off the bowling of George Fussey, Alford suffered a minor collapse, slumping to 122 for 4 in the 22nd over.
This included a wicket for Luke Chambers with his first ball in senior cricket for Rasen.
Unfortunately for the home side, Harry McHamilton (29) and Alan Irving (27 not out) steadied the ship, putting on 64 in 16 overs. McHamilton, in particular, was very strong off his legs and Irving’s studious effort was a lesson in crease-occupation for the young Rase Park outfit. J. Wood (25 not out) then joined Irving and the pair pushed Alford up to 213 for 5 in the 42nd over before, conscious of the pendulous clouds, they declared. Rasen worked tirelessly in the field and rang the changes with the leather, looking for a breakthrough but, with the exception of Andy Richley (3 for 56 from 19 overs), were unable to restrain a strong Alford line-up.
In reply, Rasen put together their best batting performance of the summer so far. Unfortunately it was not enough to chase down Alford’s fine total. Aaron Wilkinson and Phil Fletcher both demonstrated the life that was available in the pitch, making the ball move around at a reasonable pace. Of Rasen’s top three, only Ivan Nash, again looking in good form, managed to make something of his start with Richard Limmer managing to nick an excellent delivery from Wilkinson and Richley flailing behind, needlessly, to a delivery from Fletcher. Nash, picking up from where he left off last week, was good value for his 34, but when he fell to Mike Smith, leaving Rasen 61 for 3, there was a lot for the young lineup to do. Fortunately, George Fussey again demonstrated his ability with a gritty, determined innings, batting 33 overs for 34. Eschewing the ambitious strokes that had led to the downfall of many of his colleagues, Fussey batted elegantly, and with composure, and whilst he was at the crease a glimmer of hope remained for the home side. Luke Chambers and Will Bunney both contributed some lusty blows and a quick-fire 20 from Rob Chamberlain threatened to un-nerve the visitors. However, Alford’s experienced attack never let Rasen get away and when Fussey was the ninth man out, for 34, in the 39th over, the end came quickly enough. Alford’s skipper, Aaron Wilkinson, was the pick of their attack with a deserved 4 for 40, ably supported by Phil Fletcher (2 for 40), Kevin White (2 for 23) and Mike Smith (2 for 45).