Well what a different a week makes – not only to the team’s batting performance but also the bowling performance of one player.

After losing by over a century of runs last week this time the ‘Pinks’ victory was by well over a hundred runs.

The day started with normal Rosaneri chaos with Jim having to pull out, Big Mike drafted in as skipper and realising he had no match ball and then Jack turning up two hours late after locking his keys in his car!

After the agreed toss Rosaneri started cautiously against some accurate North Enfield bowling.  Mr Bell went early but Ian and Big Mike defended the good balls and dispatched the bad to the boundary and after 15 overs the ‘Pinks’ were scoring at just about three runs and over.

Big Mike was then caught at deep mid-on trying to push the scoring along but Ian and the rest of the middle order went about their business with what can only be described as one of the most complete middle order batting performances the Club has ever witnessed.

The Fonz made another entertaining half century, Ian contributed 34 but Arthur and Cuz stole the show.  Cuz carried on where he had left off  against Nazeing with the highlight being three big shots to keep him top of the sixes league.  Although it must be mentioned that he was given a life by the returning ‘Bones’ (sporting his lego man haircut) who fumbled a skier - he must have thought he was still playing for the ‘Pinks’!

Arthur played beautifully before calling Cuz through for an easy single in the last over, but the ‘old’ man thought better of it and both batsmen ended up and the same end with Arthur run out for 43.  Cuz followed him three balls later when the old legs couldn’t get him back to safety when pushing a sharp two with Darren.

The ‘Pinks’ ended up on a score of 213 for 6 off of their allotted 40 overs, with the captain feeling that his team were 10 to 20 runs short especially as the home team had scored 250 on the same pitch a week earlier.

An enjoyable tea was taken and then Big Mike lead his teamout after the interval onto the beautiful NECC ground as the horde oftravelling Rosaneri fans wondered what was in store for them during the secondhalf of the match.

As it turned out the horde was not disappointed.

Mat and Stephen opened the bowling and were a miserly asever as North Enfield made a patient but steady start.

However, the game was turned by a moment of brilliance.

The NECC number two knocked the ball into a vacant mid-wicket.  Jack loped in from the deep mid-wicket boundary.  The NECC openers went for a quick second; Jack’s eyes lit up, he swooped onto the ball and fired it into the bowlers end.  Miraculously his bullet of a throw hit the stumps and North Enfield were one down and the RCC fans were in raptures.

The NECC number three strode to the crease and promptly dispatched Stephen for a six and a four and the game was carefully poised.  But then the RCC spin twins got going.

Darren bagged a run out and bowled a superb spell in conceding only 3 runs off of 7 overs and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket when Mr Bell belly flopped full length to miss a dolly.  But at the other end Slaps, after being carted all over the Bay last week, was now taking all of the plaudits.

He ripped through the NECC middle order taking 5 for 18, the Club’s fifth best ever bowling figures. Two were bowled, he managed to catch one off of his own bowling (pity he doesn’t catch much else!) and Ian and Big Mike held two huge skiers.

At this point the game was almost up for NECC but still there was enough time for Jack to roar in from the pavilion end to mop up the tail and deservedly claim the last three wickets.

Slap’s led the ‘Pinks’ off of the hallowed turf with the cheers of the RCC hordes and his teammate’s ringing in his ears and everyone stayed to enjoy a drink and the BBQ at the end of a great day, thoroughly enjoyed by both players and spectators alike.

It was especially good to see our old mucker Bondhead back down south from Manchester for the day and thanks to him and the rest of the North Enfield team for making us all feel very welcome.  And after waiting four years to play at this wonderful venue nobody left the ground disappointed.