Addiscombe 4s beat Dorking

We lost the toss and Dorking put us in on an improved-looking Addington pitch. We would have batted anyway so the skipper was happy. He was less happy when he was back in the pavilion for a duck within the first over. But Randolph West at 3 batted well with Rikky Mano to put on 50 in 15 overs. Randolph, in his second game, looked classy, hitting some cracking drives and pulls and scored quickly. Rikky was looking very solid when he was run out going for a second run. It was a shame as it looked like he was booking in for a long innings.

Then, we had a bit of collapse. The very promising U13 player Bevan West got out, quickly followed by Monty and Simon. But as ever, dependable Lee Ramsey batted sensibly. Randolph went onto a fantastic 68 before being caught. It was a great innings which set us up nicely. Nikhil and Tom K batted sensibly - together adding a priceless 28 runs together with Lee. Once they were dismissed Mano got a peach and then Lee was the last to get out.

Knowing the home conditions, we felt confident in defending a total of 123. Our confidence was increased by the quality Sue Maguire tea - the new 'pulled pork' sandwich filling was a winner and won plaudits from the Dorking team too!

Lee Ramsey opened the bowling and second ball the Dorking opener ran down the wicket to smash it into Addington petrol station. Sadly for him he missed it and quick as a flash, Randolph had the bails off. It was a great start. Aaryan, after a couple of wides, found his line and we kept the pressure on. Monty at point did a great bit of fielding to get a run out for the next wicket and Lee and Aaryan gave hardly anything away and wickets fell regularly. Randolph showed his skills with the gloves with 3 fantastic stumpings which hugely increased the pressure on Dorking. After getting two wickets in the last two balls of his 5th over, Aaryan started his last over, of his spell unaware that he was on a hatrick. He bowled the Dorking captain and then realised he had got 3 in 3.

Tom Kuhrt replaced Aaryan for a couple of overs and was unlucky not to get a wicket with his Dad putting down a catch. But Mano on his comeback match, replaced Lee and took up straight where he left off last year. He bowled fast and straight and got 3 wickets all bowled. His final wicket won us the match.

Lee bowled 7 overs, 3 maidens, 13 runs, 2 wickets, Aaryan 6 overs, 4 wickets for 23 and Mano 4 overs, 3 for 16.

It was a classic Addington win - grind out a decent score of 120+ and then bowl tight. Big thanks to Graham for all the work he does at Addington 1743 and thanks to Gavin who again did a great job umpiring.

The win leaves us second in the league. Next week we face runaway leaders Sanderstead.