The game may have ended in defeat, but Rosaneri Cricket Club came away from Essex with their heads held high. The team pulled together and put in another great fielding display under Shell’s superb Captaincy. Although the run chase ultimately came up short, pride remained intact.
Rosaneri won the toss and elected to field. The bowlers set about the task with vigour, and the wickets fell at regular intervals. The run rate never really got out of control, and to limit Tendring to under 200 was a notable achievement.
The batting got off to a slow but steady start, and the openers certainly soaked up the early attack bowlers. Things were also improving in the run rate when Pits was run out. Gbell and Jim then helped to build a solid platform up to the halfway mark leaving the big hitters to come requiring 133 off 20 overs, with wickets in hand.
Bloater then joined Shell at the wicket needing just over 6 an over, and for 5 overs Rosaneri had moved into a clear winning position. Entertaining shots and sheer power rocked Tendring to the back foot. Then disaster struck with Bloater being bowled by a freak pea rolling delivery, that gently dislodged the bails.
The remainder of the Rosaneri batsmen heroically toiled, but the loss of Bloater had clearly taken the wind out of the sails. Shell soon followed Bloater back to the pavilion with a super knock of 63.
Ultimately this was a losing start to the season, but the Pinks can be proud of their all round efforts.
Player notebook:
Pits – Fielded without error. Looked solid in his role as opening bat, and hadn’t appeared to be particularly troubled until run out attempting an ill judged single.
Shell – Captained well while fielding and turned in a batting display of sheer class. Rode his luck at times, but did enough to record Rosaneri’s highest ever individual batsman’s total.
Bell – Kept wicket well, but did drop a couple of chances. Criticised for stumping a colt, but should not have been as a ruthless streak is needed behind the stumps. However, the opposition did comment on his constant appealing.
Jim – Bowled well and unlucky not to get 2 more wickets when Bell dropped chances that he would have normally snapped up. Looked set with the bat to kick on for a good score before playing all round a straight ball.
Bloater – Looked uncomfortable bowling, but still didn’t give many away. Batted with aggression and probably will not sleep for a week thinking about the freak pea roller that dismissed him.
Nick – Had a nightmare bowling in unsuitable cold and breezy conditions. Played cautiously with the bat, and was not disgraced being out to a tidy bowler.
Steve – Was the real surprise package of the bowling ranks. Generated nice pace and bounce to make scoring runs very hard. Probably deserved more than the one wicket.
Coxy – Bowled his 2 overs very well, but came in to bat under enormous pressure and holed out attempting to score quickly. One of the best fielders.
Bones - Best of the bowlers with stunning figures and could easily have had more wickets with a touch of luck. Batted slowly at first, but opened up to help wag the tail.
Mat – Bowled beautifully, most noticeable with his second spell at the death. Also batted well to record a nice 18 not out that included a super hook for 4.
Marcus – Opened the bowling and did his job by removing one of the openers. Probably unlucky not to come back for a second spell. Didn’t get chance with the bat.
Man of the Match - Shell