Himbleton were the visitors to The Park this weekend in the Crusader Worcester League Division Three clash. Overnight rain resulted in a damp square and outfield, and with slightly overcast conditions greeting the sides, Himbleton won the toss and elected to bowl first.

With regular opener Evans sidelined by injury, Warwick and Tiffen were the new opening partnership for Ross and both began solidly, scoring freely and mixing elegant drives with good rotation of the strike and took Ross to 43 for 0 off 10 overs. Batting soon became more difficult once the lacquer came off the ball, and in the 20th over, with the partnership one shy of a hundred, Tiffen was castled by Jenkins for 33.

Toby Hiram was the new batsman and put on 38 for the second wicket with Warwick before the skipper was caught at deep square leg off a rank full toss from seasoned campaigner Guy for a well compiled 73. Warwick was replaced at the crease by his younger brother Bruno, who saw his fellow batsman Hiram fall to Critchlow, bowled behind his legs. Charlie Hiram departed soon after, but replays clearly showed that the ball came off his forearm. Warwick then departed for 5 LBW to Guy, and again Ross were unfortunate that the DRS system was not in use in this match as again it was a decision which would have been overturned.

Mair was deceived by Critchlow's full bunger and the Ross innings was slowly stalling. However, some late lusty blows from veteran Graham Howls saw Ross complete their innings on 210 for 9, Howls falling last ball for a well constructed 33.

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.