SINGH ON SONG AS THE NUTTERS SQUEAK HOME AT IFIELD

TCs report on an excellent match at Ifield

Batting first, Ifield soon found themselves in trouble at 4-15. Raggy Singh trapped Sahith LBW with the score still on 0. At the other end, Jordan Crow (6-0-3-45) continued to fulfill his promising start as an opening bowler. Three quick wickets ensued, including that of Aussie overseas player Bobby Ballerino for a duck.

Ahmed (19) shared a decent partnership with the uncompromising Mark Graves, who was dropped four times as he blasted his way to 45. Weston bowled Ahmed and Graves finally holed out by finding Will Rossiter on the boundary after one slug too many. This was the first of Jeremy James’ 4 wicket haul. The ball followed Ben Hewson around all afternoon and nothing much got past him.

James bowled Ricos for 0 and Weston’s slow left arm found the stumps to dismiss Aftab for 3. A spirited wagging tail saw Shif (18) and Sarsaid (11) add some vital extra runs. Both were bowled by James (7.3-0-4-18). Singh’s opening 5 over spell cost just 7 runs. Ifield scrambled their way to a total of 123 and Tea was taken early.

Will Rossiter and Keith Greenwood were given the task of opening the batting and had to be watchful as they faced a double spin attack of Ahmed and Ballerino. There marathon opening stint of 12 and 18 overs respectively tested the mettle of most of the Nuthurst batsmen. Rossiter drilled the ball straight back to the grateful Ballerino for 2, bringing Bob Samways in at 3. He had looked in comfortable form until running himself out for 7 . The result of a fine turn and throw by Keeper, Graves.

Greenwood (13), nearly took the head off of Matt Graves, fielding at silly mid on, the fielder’s helmet deflecting a full–bodied drive. Luckily no blood spilled, just a small amount of sawdust from the fielder’s ear. To his credit, Graves bravely stood his ground and snapped up a more gentle offering in the next over.

Stu Catterall punished a rare loose delivery to sweep a 4 before popping up another simple catch for Graves. A real rarity, Guy Ekins found it difficult to read the bowlers and was LBW to Ahmed for 1.

Raggy Singh is an Ifield Lad and began his enjoyment of cricket at Ifield CC. He watched on as James (8) and Crow (8) played out their cameo roles, before Bob Weston joined him at the crease with the score on 7-63.

The pair put on 64, with Singh cleverly farming the strike and Weston doggedly playing a supporting role on his way to 14 N.O. Raggy scored the winning runs with yet another boundary, finishing his match winning performance on 69 N.O. Pick of the bowlers was Ahmed 12-2-3-35 and Ballerino 18-3 2-43.