BIG weekend for the 1st team!

After the chaos of last week where the Club virtually turned over every stone to find enough players, and some retired ex-players, to fulfil four Saturday fixtures we have the calm of just two Saturday fixtures and a National Cup game on Sunday. Such is the new found stability of selection, in the two most senior sides at least, at the moment (although a wedding next week will scupper that!) that the Seconds announced their team on Tuesday!

The first team after that excellent performance and confidence building win at Witham, make only one change as skipper Dan Heath returns after illness replacing the holidaying Luke Spears. Sudbury the EAPL champions of 2017 and 2018, finished third in their attempt to complete the coveted hat-trick. After a return to top form in 2022 they have like the Rams enjoyed a mix bag of results this term so far. They share almost identical record as they have two wins, two defeats and an abandonment amongst their results so far. They however would have been disappointed to lose their first red ball game of the season, particularly as it was against Swardeston with whom their have regularly battled against to be ‘top dog’!

Sudbury will look to the ever present Darren Batch with the bat the top of the order supported by the two Ben’s, Reece and Parker, and new overseas all-rounder Jordan Morris. They offer a varied bowling attack with Morris and Reece supporting skipper Paddy Sadler. Thankfully the effective Batch seems to be playing just as a batter these days. We surely cannot expect a repeat of the 2022 red ball game, that was also at Spicers, where the Rams chased down an improbable 291 to win by six wickets, with just three balls to spare.

Elsewhere in the EAPL there is an intriguing battle at the very top as Bury, after yielding their unbeaten record, seek to return to the top of the table by defeating surprise packets Saffron Walden. Mildenhall will want to get over the line, after last week’s frustration, against Horsford, but the Norfolk side will want to repeat last week’s heroics. Swardeston will look to build on last week’s win when they face Frinton on the Common. New boys Wisbech make the long trek to Copdock. The other very intriguing contest sees the bottom two meeting at Great Witchingham with the Norfolk side hoping that a win against Witham can kickstart what has been a shocking start for a side that is used to being a regular fixture at the other end of the table.

The Rams second team face a quick reverse fixture when they travel to Biggleswade in the Cambs and Hunts Premier Two. They enjoyed a seven wicket victory against the same opposition three weeks ago when a collapse either side of drinks scuppered the Bedfordshire sides hopes. Sawston know from glimpses in this match and a past contest a couple of years ago that they mustn’t take the opposition lightly.

Since the first game of the season Biggleswade secured their first win of the campaign against Ufford Park, but lost comfortably to a strong Saffron Walden II’s side last week. The Rams make three changes following the demolition of Waresley in come the Matt’s, Day and Worsdale, with the former making his seasonal debut, and Scott Stanford with Humphreys, Petzer and Ward making way. The latter probably at Wembley to see Luton Town in the play-offs.

On Sunday the Rams meet Bourne for a place in the third round of the National Cup. The Rams make a number of changes from Saturday. In come Christy O’Brien, rewarded for his exploits in the last round, and Will Bailey from the seconds. The Rams are also pleased to have Leicestershire’s Louis Kimber back from County duty and injury. Skipper Dan Heath may have also been picking Kimber’s brains for a bit of local knowledge on the Lincolnshire opposition, as Kimber is a former Lincs Premier player.

Bourne are the Lincolnshire Premier league reigning champions but suffered a defeat against this year’s current top side Sleaford last time out. They still sit second in the table in 2023. Thanks to a century by Jonathan Cheer, they chased down Bishop Stortford’s 259 with three balls to spare in Round Two. Stortford had beaten Swardeston in the previous round so clearly Bourne are a very capable outfit. The winners face a tricky looking away tie in round three (the last of the regional games) when they face Sudbury’s conquerors Wanstead and Snaresbrook or Mildenhall. The Rams round off the Bank Holiday with a Beach Party on Sunday.