Will all four sides remain unbeaten…………..

The Rams face perhaps their toughest test of the season, so far, when they face one of their main challengers for the 2021 title Great Witchingham.

The side from Norfolk lost by one run last week, against Copdock, and have two wins and two defeats on their record to currently sit fourth. They lost prolific opening bat Sam Athurton in the close season but retained the services of South African overseas Yaseen Valli. New skipper Andy Hanby will be looking for his side to match their performance last year, albeit in the longer game, where they taught the Rams a valuable lesson with an excellent victory at Spicers. The batting has perhaps relied to heavily to date on Valli and James Spelman with decent contributions from the bowlers. Hanby has spearheaded the bowling unit which looks in good order and is likely to feature Brett Stolworthy, Charlie Rogers and George Hooper.

The Rams will be looking to make it nine on the bounce, and five out of five this term but are once again without the injured Luke Spears and missing the ‘school’ trio of Thain, Darlow and Stafford. They have a huge bonus in the shape of Nathan Buck’s availability. They will be looking for the batting unit to again fire and hope that the excellent early season form of Callum Guest, Charlie Lewis, Tim Moses and Ben Clilverd continues. The bowling unit continues to deliver even without George Darlow.

On Sunday they venture into the unknown in the National Club Championship and with a totally unknown opposition in Hornchurch. This competition features some of the biggest and best club sides in the country so each round will be a test, but the squad want to do well in their debut season. Hornchurch warmed up for the tie with an eight wicket win over Finchley. This was much better after a heavy loss in their only league game, so far, in the Essex Premier League.

There were a number of personnel changes between the Saturday and Sunday sides. On Sunday the Rams welcome back Darlow, Stafford and Thain but will be without opening bowling pair Mark Smith and James Vandepeer. Tim Moses will probably relish the chance of sharing the new ball.

The seconds go in search of their own ninth win on the spin when they revisit some old foes at Blunham. The hosts have had a mixed start with a six-wicket loss to Southill Park but an impressive win over Castor. They look similar to us in that they appear to have lots of batting and bowling options. The Rams second string will look to keep their unbeaten run going, hopefully without the drama of last week. Sanish Gopalan and Ian Smith step up after impressing for the seconds.

The Third team get their home campaign underway when they entertain Bassingbourn. The Rams sit at the top of Division2. Bassingbourn look like a dangerous team, when they are good they are terrific but when they are bad………. They are likely to feature one time Ram Nuwan Athukorala.

The fourths hopefully get their season underway, after last week’s default win but face a tricky tie away at Camborne. This will be Camborne’s first action of the season and with both sides being fourth teams it is likely to be a battle of availability.