Ross-on-Wye Cricket Club had a double loss on Saturday, May 25th, where the batting did not secure two victories made possible by some good bowling and fielding.

The First team lost by nine runs, away to Canon Frome while the Seconds fell 17 runs short chasing Brockhampton’s 136 at The Park in Wilton. Ross’ First team have had a mixed start to the 2019 season, after a convincing win at Almeley in early May, they have now narrowly lost two very close matches in a row being just one wicket away from defending 142 against Garnons last week, to this week coming within nine runs of victory. At Canon Frome, the bowlers restricted the hosts to just 151 bowling them out after 40 of the allotted 45 overs, Tony Laws bagging his second five-for in his first season at Ross. Ross were frustratingly held up by the last wicket pair who added 50 runs - an effort which ultimately won the game for Canon Frome.  In reply, Stu Mair and Jim Lewis set a platform of 30 runs for the first Ross wicket, but the middle order collapsed with a combination of good bowling and poor shot selection, Andy Bevan scoring a quickfire 30 to bring Ross towards the required total. Adam Davies and Cameron Hill, Ross’ opening bowlers, tried to emulate the Canon Frome last wicket stand; Davies shepherding the strike effectively to finish unbeaten on 26 when Hill was finally bowled.

Brockhampton IV team arrived at Ross with a mixture of youth and experience and were invited by Ross seconds captain Theo Minnie to bat first. Ross bowled and fielded well, taking wickets regularly through the 40 overs to bowl Brockhampton out on the last ball on the innings.  Alastair Cook, Paul Morris, Like Timewell all got three wickets, with some good catching from new face John Liddell, Andrew Stacey and a fantastic one handed slip catch from Luke Timewell. Rob Leather fielded well contributing a run out from mid-off. See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.