The 1st XI looked to lengthen their undefeated record as they welcomed Ickleford’s 2nd XI to The Rye. There was an excellent crowd in attendance, thanks largely to the celebrations of Ian “Barm” Jones reaching 50, or as the Romans would have it, L.

EBCC’s leader Josh Edwins won the toss and elected to bat first in the lovely sunshine. Launching the innings were Andy Norris and Lee Gauntlett, losing no time in lashing out at a few lacklustre deliveries early on. Ickleford were quick to change things up and lo and behold Lee lofted one into the air and was caught for 24. Owen Brown joined Andy, linking together for yet another long partnership. Lusty blows were mixed with little flicks as they put on 142 for the second wicket, but eventually Owen left the wicket caught for 55. Enter Azeem Akhtar, and with a large platform built there was one logical option – larrup it. He reached his own 50 from 45 balls, including 6 fours and 1 six, whilst Andy continued his lengthy innings and reached yet another luxurious 100. Azeem was dismissed immediately after making 50, also caught, and Joe Braddon leapt to the crease to finish the innings, making 14 not out, while Andy carried his bat for a legendary 149 not out at exactly a run a ball, with 21 fours and 1 six.

Leading out the bowling effort were Dave Emerson and Guy Edwins, fresh from 9 wickets between them last time out. Once again, it seemed that lack of pace was winning the day as Dave got the lion’s share of the luck, removing both openers in the teens and then with his penultimate ball the no. 3 batter with a leaping (lolloping?) caught and bowled for 43. Dave finished with 3 for 37 from his 10 overs. The name Edwins lingered at the other end as Josh replaced Guy, and took the fourth and fifth wickets not long after, and it felt like Ickleford were all but licked in this game, with Aaron Gauntlett now locked in bowling from the bottom end in trial by spin. However, some lucid batting from no. 6 Harry Saunders and particularly no. 7 Mark Schumann coupled with some languid and leaky fielding and for a time a loss was beginning to loom. But then Liam Norris was let off the leash, and he broke the partnership by bowling Saunders and then trapping Schumann LBW to end his lifeline innings of 78. Nick Pearson replaced Aaron and bowled lucklessly, whilst Liam picked up a third wicket to finish with 3 for 28 from his 5 overs. Guy returned to land the last two wickets, both lively catches by Lee behind the stumps.

Not the landslide it looked like at one stage, but another 30 points liberated by the 1sts who are on their travels at Wheathampstead next week. Lush.