Match Report: Mount vs Rayleigh Fairview, Sunday 19th July 2020
Rayleigh Fairview: 113 ao - Ahmed 3/21, Lambert 3/32, Foley 2/28, Duffin 1/3, McKeon 1/14
Mount CC: 114/3 - Frankel 44, Mackay 30no
Mount won by 7 wickets.
The Mounties returned to action on Sunday after the extended break and put in a very pleasing team performance to start the season with a win.
Rayleigh Fairview won the toss and elected to bat on what looked a decent track but were soon to regret that decision. The ever accurate Paul McKeon opened the bowling alongside the skipper and, with a wicket falling in each of the opening 3 overs, Rayleigh Fairview were soon under the cosh. A change of bowling quickly saw Jamie Lambert and Ammar Ahmed effectively end the contest taking 3 wickets each! Ammar has made a stunning start to his time with Mount and took 3/21 to add to the 5/17 he took on debut at the back end of last season. One of his wickets came via a stunning slip catch by Duffin – the two combining to create a moment of quality rarely seen at this level. Well played chaps!
It was a pleasure to see Jamie Lambert back in the side and he did not disappoint, taking 3/31 and entertaining the crowd (whose number included a very proud Lambert Senior) with his variation. A sharp piece of glovework by Offord for a stumping, perhaps the pick of the bunch. Duffin, who had initially been reluctant about his last minute call up, clearly had his “mojo” back after that slip catch and took the last wicket with his off-spin to close the Rayleigh innings on 113 all out.
114 to win then and, with a strong batting line up to compliment our efforts in the field, we were quietly confident. Ilan Frankel and Wajid Ahmed opened and, despite facing a very pacy opening pair, showed patience, skill and wisdom in taking their time to assess the threat. Wajid, as always looked cool and calm and batted with skill before picking out a fielder with a cut. The President came in at 3 but felt that his time would be better spent carrying out his Presidential duties and supporting his skipper so quickly decided to make way for David Mackay. Mackay and Frankel batted beautifully. Ilan now seeing the ball like a beachball accelerated the run-rate making 44 before falling to a stumping from the opposition’s athletic young ‘keeper. Martin “The Iceman” Hare joined Mackay at the wicket and made a pleasing cameo before “Mackie” launched a monster six to seal victory.
Further fixture news to come soon. All the best and....
Go Mounties!