The Cricklade rollercoaster came off the rails in unexpected and spectacular fashion this week in their GCCL Division 7 game away at fellow promotion-chasers, Charfield. Following last week’s historic win against Hardwicke, Cricklade were hoping to force their way into the top 2 places in the Division. Instead, the visiting team were sent home early to lick their wounds.

The fine, warm day had started in such promising fashion. Having won the toss on a patchily-grassed wicket and a very slow outfield, Charfield elected to bat and quickly lost wickets to the opening pair of Cox (2-32) and Robbins (2-23). The good work was then continued by the St Helens Express (Andy Lea 4-23), including a spectacular hat-trick, and the innings was wrapped up by veteran specialist mid-on Angelo Rigali (2-4), allowed a bowl this week by the stand-in skipper Rhys Mills. Charfield had been dismissed for an eminently reachable 86 all out.

The innings finished early enough for Cricklade to start their knock before tea. Unfortunately, a combination of bad luck (Paul Dewsbury caught off a flyer, Rhys Mills LBW to a roller) and bad batting reduced Cricklade to a perilous 25 for 4 at tea. Things only got worse after the resumption, however, as wickets fell regularly and the innings was brought to a swift conclusion with Cricklade a dismal 45 all out.

The team have certainly found out the hard way that “cricket’s a funny old game” and the boys will have to work hard to regain lost momentum next week at home to high-flying Hatherley and Reddings. One small saving grace for the day was that Hatherley (previous league leaders) also lost very unexpectedly leaving Cricklade still handily placed in 3rd only 2 points behind second.

BigVan World man of the match was Adam Robbins for his lively opening spell and his top score with the bat (9!).