Good memories

The Rams visit Great Witchingham with memories of a title winning victory there still fresh in the mind.

Last year the Rams felt that the Norfolk side were the best red ball side that they faced. Despite the huge loss of Sam Athurton and a slow start they have again begun to show signs of recovery with the red ball. They boast a record of three wins, two draws and just one defeat in their last six.

However, with back to back wins, unbeaten in the last four and only one defeat all season the Rams will also be confident going into the weekend. Great Witchingham have again utilised the skills of overseas Yaseen Valli and he has rewarded them with almost 800 runs at an average of almost eighty. Not surprisingly he sits at the head of the EAPL batting stats. They have been very reliant on Valli and opener James Spelman to get them off to good starts. They have an excellent all round bowling attack where new skipper Andy Hanby has led the way with thirty-two wickets but he has been well backed by his Norfolk colleagues Brett Stolworthy and Charlie Rogers.

In what as been a difficult year with injuries and other availability issues skipper Dan Heath will be relieved just to be making one change this week. One of last week’s heroes Nathan Buck is otherwise engaged but the Rams are pleased to welcome back Noah Thain in his place. Heath will be looking for another all-round team performance to keep his team flying high.

With nearest rivals Mildenhall having a week off a good points haul will put the Suffolk side under more pressure when they return. Elsewhere there is a big game at the bottom of the table with Frinton visiting Saffron Walden, although with no relegation in 2022 confirmed the pressure is off a little and all that is left is pride.

The Rams second team entertain Ufford Park, skipper Nick Griggs will be hoping that the home hoodoo against sides towards the bottom of the table doesn’t continue. The Third team head off to Hauxton to face Madingley II’s and they will be hoping that they do slip up and undo the excellent work of last week. The two sides just below them also meet on Saturday, and a win would open up a gap on one of their promotion rivals. The fourth team are scheduled to play Elsworth, one of the stronger sides, but it will take another miracle for the Rams to field a side as the holiday season has kicked in with a vengeance.