Newnham Basics II

SOME brighter weather and better form finally arrived in Ropley with the long-awaited appearance of two solid young cricketers in Alex and Christian Portz.

Although training in the winter with Ropley, they have until now been on duty with Winchester College first XI.

Ropley elected to bowl and the opening partnership of Bobby Wood and Alex Portz bowled beautifully, all the spoils going to Wood as Portz frustrated the batsmen at the other end with unerring accuracy and pace.

Ropley dismissed Hook and Newnham for 92 with tight bowling and two run-outs. Only Parmar stuck at the task, top scoring with a dogged 22.

Ropley quickly achieved the modest total, requiring only 21 overs with the loss of four wickets, including a tidy stumping of Christian Portz when he looked to be in top form with the bat.

The match was wrapped up by Ropley's overseas player, Davis, with a competent 30*. Hopefully the second half of the season will see better weather and more victories for newly-promoted Ropley.