Peter Raphael

Minchinhampton 2nd XI entertained Charfield on perhaps the hottest day yet of the cricketing calendar. Minch had come unstuck to Charfield early in the season so this was the return match. Minch lost the toss and were put in to bat on a perfect day for batting. A slight surprise. Charfield started well bowling with good line and length. Utilising their slow bowlers. However Tom Ritchings who has been in sparkling form continued where he had left off at Whitminster. Boundaries were found with ease as Tom and veteran John Creadon set about building a decent score. Creadon however was undone by Colburn for 14. This brought about a mini collapse as Hole and Shearman both fell cheaply. However this brought P Raphael to the crease. With Tom trading in boundaries and Pete doing the same the runs mounted. Both soared past their 50s and upwards. Charfield stuck to their task admirable in the searing heat. However the Minch pair were intent on batting through. Ritchings registered his first ever 100 carrying his bat for a brilliant 110* mostly in 4’s. Raphael was looking like he might be stranded in the 90’s needing 4 from the last ball Pete struck a crisp shot through wide mid on. Minch finished on a Mammoth 257 -3. J Hull finished with 2-40 and M Colburn 1 – 33

Charfield’s innings started cautiously. Both openers looking to accumulate and build a platform. However two very sharp run-outs from Tom Ritchings saw Field and Wilding back in the pavilion. Tom seemingly able to do anything on the cricket pitch! This did call for the skipper to bowl him and see but common sense prevailed!J Catrledge was unlucky not to take a wicket as several times he beat the bat. M Ritchings who had bowled with control had the dangerous looking Thomas caught behind for 20. After 10 overs Joint skipper’s Pitman and Shearman came into the attack. Pitman bowled beautifully finding bounce swing and seam. Finding the top of Hunts off peg with a “jaffa”. Shearman bowled a tight first over however Tweed had other ideas in Shearmans next over. Striking his first ball down the ground for a superb 4 and then lofting another for 6. However Shearman dispatched him not long after with a caught and bowled. He then followed it up bowling Charfield’s Skipper Sam Cross middle stump. Minch changed the attack regularly with J Wood coming back in and striking in his first over. Having Finneman caught in the covers. Rithcings came back in and got reward for his accurate bowling cleaning up the tail. Minch Bowled with control and discipline to bowl Charfield out for 87. M Ritchings 4 – 16 T Shearman 2-19 B Pitman 1-20 J Wood 1-10 A crucial win for minch to see them stay in 2^nd place. Huge credit to Charfield for fighting the whole way in very hot and dry conditions. A quality game played in the true spirit of cricket. Just to add further class to the match a Supermarine Spitfire was spotted performing aerobatics over the ground. What better sight and sound in summer!