Pyjamas away boys...

Week six sees the PJs and the pink ball packed away as the long format and red ball start for the next ten weeks. The Rams fresh from that superb win at title challengers Horsford meet another Norfolk side when they entertain Gt.Witchingham  at Spicers.

A glance at last year’s results shows that the red ball game at home ended in a draw. That doesn’t quite do the match justice. This was the classic, and almost a Ram’s classic, where with one ball to go any of the four possible results was still on! The visitors still possess ex-first class and ex-England players Monty Panesar and Phil Mustard amongst their ranks but lost their long-standing opening bowler Brett Stolworthy in the close season. After making several high-profile signings they were amongst the favourites for the 2024 title, they rallied after a disappointing start to finish seventh last year. This year a couple of other new faces Adam Chislett and Barney Morton (ex-Frinton) have made decent runs. They are being backed up by last year’s recruit Nathan Muggeridge with bat and ball. They have added Chemar Holder to their attack. They started slowly again this year but have now won three on the trot and sit fourth just sixteen points off the Rams, in second.

The Rams receive a half-term boost as Wayne White joins Messrs Darlow and Beaumont in the starting eleven. This will be Wayne’s seasonal debut but not his first game at Spicers; he top scored in Cambridgeshire’s crucial NCCA Trophy match last Sunday. Saturday also sees Nikhil Gorantla make a return to the starting eleven. The Ram’s batting unit is in good touch following a ton from skipper Callum Guest last week and two-tons and five consecutive scores above fifty for Ben Claydon. Jack Beaumont also made decent runs last Sunday as Suffolk set up a quarter-final tie with Cambridgeshire. The bowling unit is also in good nick and White’s versality gives them even more options in the longer format.

Elsewhere Sudbury who sit third visit Witham. Top of the table Downham Stow will want to bounce back when they play their first long format game, by the sea, at a resurgent Frinton. Horsford face another tough home game when they face Copdock, who must be confident after back-to-back wins against the Rams and Downham. Mildenhall and Swardeston will want to build on last week’s success as they visit Bury and AB Wanderers respectably. The latter will be looking for a change of luck after five successive defeats.

The second team visit, perhaps, the surprise leader of the Oynx Premier Division one Burwell and Exning. They visit the in-form team without skipper Dan Heath. After last week’s success and better showing with the bat they will be delighted to strengthen by the inclusion of stand-in skipper Charlie Lewis, who will be in turn delighted to welcome Yousuf Choudhary back into his ranks. Yousuf’s opportunities have been scarce in the last week or two so he will be looking to spend some quality time in the middle. If he could match his previous innings, a ton, in that stunning ten-wicket win at Wisbech that would be a great start for the Rams as they too play in the longer format for the first time this year. Lewis will also be pleased to see both Alex James and Tarun Mouli after their excellent batting and partnership last week.

Burwell and Exning had a fantastic result when they beat reigning champions Ramsey by seven wickets last week. Skipper Paul Summerskill is a consistant danger with the bat but is receiving excellent support from youngster Dylan Hardy and the slightly more mature Nic Huckle. The latter two also appear in the higher echelons of the bowling stats, but they have a good all-round attack with Daniel Baigent and newcomer Tom Mangelsen making excellent starts.

Our third team defend their unbeaten record at home to Ashwell, hoping to stay on top of the pile in Junior one. A look at the form guide isn’t any help other than to show that Ashwell have won the only game they haven’t conceded so far this season. With once again resources stretched by a number of absentees skipper Jake Ellis would have been delighted to name the side he has. The in-form skipper, who has been taking wickets for fun is delighted to welcome back Niall Barber, Torin Phelps and youngster Vivaan Kilaru  to his starting eleven. He gives seasonal debuts to the Denningtons, Joel and Zane who have impressed for the fourths.

The first team begin their defence of the EAPL T20 title with a tricky tie away at Mildenhall, on Monday. The winners will meet Downham Stow who play invitees Ramsey in the Group final at a date and venue to be confirmed.