On Saturday Ross CC First XI travelled to Himbleton, with twin brothers, Ben and Josh Element making their First Team debuts.

Winning the toss, Ross' captain Stuart Mair elected to bat first on what looked like a good batting track. Ross openers, James Tiffen and Jack Evans immediately took the attack to the Himbleton bowlers. By the 20th over they had put on 100 as an opening partnership. With the score on 102, James Tiffen (65) was caught at mid off by Pretty, off the bowling of Paul Guy. The next couple of Ross batsman fell cheaply. Jack Evans (56) was then caught off the bowling of Stuart Dickenson, Stuart Mair and Ben Element set about rebuilding the Ross innings, with Ben Element showing great maturity and careful shot selecting, the score moved on to 168 when Ben (17) was trapped LBW by Paul Guy. Josh Element joined his captain at the crease and moved the score on to 184 before Stuart Mair (23) became Paul Guy's next victim, again trapped LBW. Josh Element (15) was caught at mid off by Alastair Pretty with the score on 189. Jack Waldis (8) and Tony Leslie (8) helped the Ross innings finish on 213 for 8 off their 50 overs. Pick of the Himbleton bowlers was Paul Guy with (17-2-65-5).

After a wonderful tea, the Himbleton opening batsmen started taking the attack to the Ross bowlers and with the score on 52, Pretty (13) was well caught by Ross' wicket keeper Ben Element off the bowling of Matt Young. With more attacking strokes Stuart Dickenson and Alistair Pretty moved the score on to 99 before Dickenson (68) was caught in the deep by Stuart Mair off the bowling of James Tiffen.

The third wicket fell when Jack Evans had Dan Brace (19) caught by Josh Element in the covers. Josh quickly claimed his second catch of the day with a good take close to the ground, at point, to remove Luke Brace (3) off the bowling of Stuart Tucker. Himbleton were now 200 for 5. Ross continued to attack, knowing that the opposition's batsmen were getting nervous as they approached the Ross total. With good catching in the deep by Adam McLarty, Ross removed A Pretty (55) and Matt McCann (30) in quick succession, both off the bowling of Stuart Tucker. James Tiffen then claimed his third wicket of the day when he clean bowled Sam Jenkins (0) to set up a thrilling finish which saw Himbleton home by two wickets when they scrambled through a quick single. Pick of the Ross bowlers were James Tiffen (11.4-1-53-3) and Stuart Tucker 3 for 42.

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.