Rain washes out Malden blast

Last season’s runaway winners of Division 1, Malden Wanderers, were the visitors to Park Lane for the 2nd XI’s opening home fixture.

Last weekend’s warm sunshine was a dim and distant memory and all eyes were on the weather forecast which promised (and subsequently delivered) rain for much of the day.

Only 5 of last week’s side were in the starting line up-Sakes, Galer, Ollie, Hutch & Nick Rotsey. The rallying cry for players was answered by Stuart Mills and Rob Wood with youngsters Max Coyle and Wilbur Tiley also making their first appearance of the season. Michael Ramsden and Mobeen Tahir stepped up from the 3’s to complete the team.

Malden’s captain Rob Graham won the toss and elected to bat. Hutch opened from the pavilion end and clean bowled Malden’s opener Daniel Hammond for 1 in the first over. Nick (4 overs 1-38) replaced Hutch (4 overs 1-16) and Wilbur (4 overs 0-16) replaced Ollie (4 overs 0-23).

Malden scored steadily to reach 72 when Sakes held a low catch in the slips off Nick’s bowling. Llamas’s only other success was a run out by Nick Rotsey with the score still on 72.

The rain was making the ball difficult to control and in the 16th over with the score on 95 for 3 the players came off at ten past one having played just 70 minutes.

The only other action was the awakening of Messrs Duckworth and Lewis but even their calculations weren’t required (just as well as I haven’t passed my Duckworth & Lewis exam) and play was abandoned with 4 points apiece.

Match highlights=Tea