Ross-on-Wye Cricket Club first XI completed a fine win over previously unbeaten Dales CC from Leominster on Saturday, June 1st at The Park in Wilton. It took a whole team performance with teenagers Charlie Cole, Adam Davies and Alexander Springer contributing to an excellent five wicket victory.

Captain, Graham “Lidzo” Howls, was asked to bowl first in the 45 over match brought forward by an hour because Lidzo did not want to miss Liverpool in the evening football. Dales batted carefully against Ross openers Andy Bevan and Adam Davies, surviving the opening ten overs without loss, but for the score of just 28 runs.

Captain Howls and Bevan made a positive start to the chase, aided by 33 from just 18 balls from Donovan, but as Ross were four wickets down for 93 runs, victory seemed a long way off. Charlie Cole and Adam Davies then batted with maturity and style, defending well and picking off bad balls to amass a fifth wicket partnership of 111. Each of them struck a fine six - Cole’s with superb timing over the very long sqaure leg boundary. When Davies was caught on 43, Alexander Springer went confidently into bat to partner Cole to victory, the latter finishing 82 not out when Ross reached the required 234 with two overs to spare. Davies and Cole shared the man of the match award as Ross celebrated an excellent win, in contrast to losing two close previous matches.

Ross seconds, sponsored by Now Storage, struggled at Bosbury where they faced two batsmen in form, Tom Smith and Richard Wall getting 130 and 92 respectively, as only Andrew Stacey managed two wickets. Wayne Husbands was involved in three dismissals with a wicket, a catch, and a run out. Chasing a massive 284 to win, Ross did well to only lose six wickets through the 40 overs, finishing on 164 to earn a “losing draw” with extra league points.

This Saturday, the firsts are away to Luctonians while the seconds entertain Hay-on-Wye.