Last game of 2021! - Tibbsy's weekend Preview 11.09

The Rams with a superb and decisive victory at Gt. Witchingham last weekend thankfully spared themselves, their fans and the Chairman a final day nail-biter.

With the EAPL title secured in North Norfolk this week is the lap of honour and the picking up the trophy, perhaps fittingly at home. After, this week’s opponents, Copdock and Old Ipswichians, remarkable run chase last week where they chased 324 to beat Horsford it is perhaps just as well that the title is already in the bag. Whilst being in the lower reaches of the table for most of the season they have found some late season form, winning three of their last four.

The Rams will be wary of Ben Claydon, a local lad, that always seems to produce his best form against us. Their top performers with the bat this year have been Jack Beaumont, Jacob Marston, Alex Oxley and of course Claydon. With the ball Chris Swallow and Matthew Wareing are challenging our three seamers for top ten finishes.

Waqas Hussain will want to finish the season on a high following last week’s marvellous title clinching ton and both he and Callum Guest will be eyeing runs to get them into the top ten to join the injured Matthew Hague. Despite our batsmen’s delivering a handful of ton’s they have all been, to date, delivered away from home. Wouldn’t it be a magical end for one of them to deliver one at home!

The battle for the 1st team’s top bowler will also be settled, Mark Smith’s three wickets last week meant that he has opened up a handy lead over Ben Clilverd and James Vandepeer. There was some allegations of underhand dealings when Clilverd didn’t bowl last week! The spin twins or trio of Darlow, Guest and Stafford will be hoping that the ‘big’ three leave them and Tim Moses some opportunities as well.

The skipper, despite missing a few games behind the stumps with a finger injury, is just behind the leaders in second place in the wicket-keeping race, with Marston just one victim behind him. Whilst letting them enjoy the day and the celebration skipper Dan Heath will be keeping his men focused and they will all want to go out with a win and preserve their two-match winning cushion at the top of the table. It should be a lively evening on Saturday with three sides all picking up trophies and it being the last game and social of the season.