TUESDAY NIGHT IN THE WOLDS

By Andrew Richley, Market Rasen CC

Tuesday Night is West Wold League night and this week's saw another season of evening cricket start up in the Wolds. Rasen’s team this year is intended to be an U17 outfit, with enough adults playing in order that the lads can get to the game and we can get 11 people on the park. You couldn’t pick a more picturesque ground than Brocklesby Park, especially on a sunny, spring evening. Once of the best squares in the West Wold League lies in a field that is well-shorn, if a little pitted by the incumbent rabbit population. Generally getting from the pitch to the pavilion involves negotiating a herd of cows who, whilst I’m sure they’re lovely, can be a little intimidating for a non-country type such as myself. Anyway, this week the cows were in the field next door and there was nothing to display the long trudge (certainly in my case!) back to deposit the pads and willow. Anyway, to the game – apologies to the Brocklesby lads who played well and I haven’t mentioned, I haven’t got the scorebook and didn’t write their names down on the night. Sorry about that.
Rasen got first chance with the willow, with Luke Robinson (20) and Dean Richards looking to get the visitors off to a good start. Unfortunately, just as Richards was looking to find his range, an ambitious smite over the top was poorly-timed and resulted in a catch being fed to mid-off.
Robinson took his partner’s departure as the signal to crack on and unleashed some excellent shots, including one lofted straight-drive for six over mid-on. Unfortunately the next shot was an attempted mow over cow-corner, that saw the ash split asunder and his opportunity to light up the delightful spring evening lost.
Rasen got first chance with the willow, with Luke Robinson (20) and Dean Richards looking to get the visitors off to a good start. Unfortunately, just as Richards was looking to find his range, an ambitious smite over the top was poorly-timed and resulted in a catch being fed to mid-off.
Robinson took his partner’s departure as the signal to crack on and unleashed some excellent shots, including one lofted straight-drive for six over mid-on. Unfortunately the next shot was an attempted mow over cow-corner, that saw the ash split asunder and his opportunity to light up the delightful spring evening lost.

Robbo Snr and Will Bunney Stride Triumphant from the Turf
Andy Richley continued to keep himself away from the strike as much as possible as first Rob Chamberlain and then Will Bunney (24*) took on the bowling. Bunney struck a number of fine blows and had a terrific time bludgeoning the ball around the ground. As Rasen looked for quick runs at the end, Bunney was ably assisted by Mark Robinson (18*) as Rasen closed their 16 overs on 97 for 5.
Simon Bunn and Ian Harvey opened up for Rasen and despite some loose deliveries, Harvey picked up the first couple of wickets and, after the first over, bowled a consistent line outside off stump. Bunn was unlucky not to cash in. The young spinners; Luke Robinson and Luke Richards both managed to extract turn and bounce from the early-season track as Brocklesby continued to flail away whilst steadily losing wickets. Whilst Rasen didn’t take all of their chances, some fine catching and fielding left Brocklesby needing 15 off the last over and despite a pretty shoddy loosener from Richley being despatched to the boundary, their last wicket pair were unable to do enough and could only ‘dot’ out the last ball of the innings to hand Rasen the win.