Rams seek revenge!

The first team play their last red ball match of EAPL 2023 when they make the shortest of trips to local rivals Saffron Walden. The home side are currently third in the table and will be looking to close the gap on second placed Sawston and Babraham in what is probably being billed the game of the day in this week’s fixture round. The Rams will be out for revenge following the early season shock and shocking reversal.

Before the game in May the Rams had enjoyed an unbeaten run going back to 2020 against the Crocus, including five wins in seven games. The Essex side’s stand out performer this season has been Ashleigh Cox with three hundred and seventy-nine runs at an average of almost forty-eight, and thirty-eight wickets at a touch above fourteen. His four wickets for just eleven runs were pivotal in the Rams failing to chase the one hundred and forty-four set by Walden in that win. With the bat the home side also possess the explosive power of Brynn Mendel, an Aussie wicket-keeper left hand batter, who has two hundred and seventy runs at an average of fifty-four and a strike rate of over one-twenty! He came over as the second team pro but made a bigger impact than his more well-known compatriot. With the ball Cox is well supported by Ali Hancock and youngster Oliver Rae, of late Rae has been joined by another youngster Josh O’Connor who looked a good prospect when the seconds played their Walden counterparts.

The Rams are delighted that they can name what is perhaps their strongest line up of the season with the in-form Alex Stafford coming in for Luke Spears which will give the latter a little more time to recover from his finger dislocation. The Rams will be keen to build on that thrilling win against Bury and there will be a few batsmen keen to exploit the usually favorable conditions at the Anglo-American playing fields. There is likely to be a capacity crowd as it is also the home side’s VP Day, which can get lively late on!

Leaders Swardeston visit Witham, who will be looking to add another top five scalp following their own thrilling win against Mildenhall. Mildenhall face up to Renaldo at Frinton as they look to get back on track. Bury and Copdock will both be looking for momentum gaining wins when they visit Great Witchingham and Sudbury respectively. Perhaps the other game of the day sees the bottom two meet at Wisbech; where the home side know that a win would put clear daylight between them and the bottom side Horsford.

At Spicers, the Rams second eleven will be looking to make it ten on the bounce, but however face perhaps their biggest challenge of the season so far. The Rams suffered their only reversal of the season to date when they lost at Walden. They were well beaten on the day but it is fair to say that they were missing a few due to a wedding. A win for the Rams would increase their current forty-four points lead over third placed Walden and with four games to go after this would put them in the box seat for promotion. With what appears to be a more open selection policy the Essex club are a strong outfit and boast a few players of EAPL pedigree, and they know a win for themselves would put them right back in the promotion mix.

The Rams strength in death and excellent availability means that they are able to name their first-choice side as Marc Pearson, and Nick Griggs and Kieren MacKenzie all return to the starting lineup. T

he third team face a difficult home game against promotion pushing Elmdon whom they suffered a poor loss against earlier in the season. The Rams know that they need to be more consistent and need two or three wins to help them secure a place in Division 1. They are grateful that the two sides above haven’t pinched any players but are missing a few regulars as the holiday season kicks in.

The fourth team must wait now until the end of August to fulfil their league program!

There was more good news on Thursday as the Midweek side completed a league and cup double. They beat Newmarket in the AH Cup Final, held at Haverhill. They restricted Newmarket to 140 for seven as Ollie Humphreys (3-24) and Kieren MacKenzie (2-32) claimed the plaudits with the ball. Matthew Hague (56) and Dan Heath (25) laid the platform with an excellent opening stand before Ben Clilverd (22 no) and Joe Latham (13 no) got them over the line with an over and seven wickets to spare.