In another gripping contest at Fortress Ex-Blues, an Alex Danks century saw the ten man Ramblas claim their 11th win of season against Wrotham St George. The win also saw the hosts compile a 7-1 home record as they finish the season with two away games.
Despite missing seven squad members, the Ramblas still managed to put together a strong ten man outfit, with Dave Brewer making a welcome return from injury, while Drew Smith came in to make his second appearance of the season.
In what is becoming a peculiar habit, skipper Michael Cooper won the toss again, and with a strong batting line up elected to bowl first, confident the team could chase down whatever total was put in front of them.
Cooper, very much of the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ school of captaincy, opened the bowling with Mark Loughlin and Doug Danks.
The former made the breakthrough in just his third ball, claiming a simple caught and bowled as the opener Harrison was caught off guard by Loughlin’s electrifying pace early doors.
Loughlin only had to wait two more balls to claim his next victim, after an ugly swipe across the line from their number three A. Harvey saw the stumps go a-flying.
Harvey distraught after being clean bowled. Dave Brewer delighted however…
Doug Danks was struggling to find his rhythm early on but a few cracking deliveries kept the batsmen on their toes. And the beard to be feared kept his head despite conceding some early boundaries.
With Loughlin nigh on unplayable during his opening spell, a third wicket was always on the cards. And Wrotham’s number four Spurling was the poor soul to depart, after a Jimmy Anderson-esque away swinger kissed the top of off.
Much to the relief of the visitors, Loughlin was replaced by Parrett who looked sharp in his first over. The spin combination of Danks and Parrett combined to keep boundaries to a minimum thanks to a mixture of sharp bowling and even sharper fielding from the likes of Brewer and Smith, with the former once again risking injury by using his ankle to make several stops.
Smith contemplating just how often the ball is coming to him in the field.
Despite his best attempts, D. Danks’ seven over spell proved fruitless. With the Wrotham batsmen building a decent partnership, and his team short of bowling options, Cooper made the brave decision to bring himself on to bowl.
It turned out to be an inspired decision, as in his first over he claimed the wicket of opener C. Harvey for 41. The batsmen keen to get on top of the new bowler, only succeeded in picking out the catching machine that is Mark Loughlin at deep midwicket.
Captain Cooper in full flow.
Cooper then claimed his second wicket of the day, clean bowling Dallison for 51. After a full toss was dispatched for a maximum, Cooper then delivered a ball that moved away from the batsmen and tickled the off stump.
After a sterling cameo, Cooper took himself out of the attack and brought in Sam Ford. Ford, in combination with Parrett exerted plenty of pressure of the new batsmen.
Ford acrobatically diving to back up his bowling.
Ford was unlucky not to claim a wicket with his first ball after when Naylor was caught at silly mid-on by Cooper but a no ball was called. However, Ford claimed the scalp of Naylor three balls later, clean bowling him for two.
The dangerous Malyan was proving a thorn in the side of the hosts as he continued to chip away at the scoreboard. However, his resistance finally fell when he looped one up to the grateful hands of Ford who dismissed the batsman caught and bowled.
Sam Ford claiming the wicket of Malyan.
With Parrett bowled out, Cooper brought on Stocks in the attack who immediately showed his skills with the ball, forcing the batsman to top edge the ball only to see the chance go begging as ‘keeper Alex Danks dropped a sitter. Still, at least Danks made amends with the bat…
Ford claimed two more wickets in his spell, the first one when J. Ives drove the ball to Loughlin at mid-off and the second when A. Ives played around a straight one and was clean bowled.
The last wicket fell in the last over as Smith claimed his first Ramblas wicket, thanks to a peach of a ball that crashed into Booth’s stumps.
Wrotham St George fought to the end to post a competitive 155, leaving the hosts 156 to chase to claim victory.
Even the Red Arrows couldn’t help but check out the action.
After Mrs C’s retirement, Ramblas board members Cooper, Parrett & Stocks rolled up their sleeves to put on a tea that ensured everyone was well fed, even if it lacked some of Mrs C’s finesse.
A. Danks and Stocks were the men tasked with getting the Ramblas off the best possible start, with the former looking his free scoring self while the latter struggled early on with his timing.
A. Danks putting pressure on the fielding side.
However, both batsmen found their feet and the runs started tickling along nicely with boundaries starting to come with increased regularity. Some lethargic fielding also helped the Ramblas cause.
Despite scoring at over a run a ball, A. Danks was guilty of offering up a couple of chances in the field, including a simple opportunity to square leg that was somehow not taken.
Wrotham left to curse a dropped catch off A. Danks.
But as the visitors discovered, you really don’t want to give A. Danks extra lifelines and the Ramblas opener duly reached his fourth 50 of the season off just 40 balls.
With the Ramblas cruising and drinks approaching, the opening pair notched up another century partnership. However, no sooner had the landmark been reached than Stocks was dismissed, with the opener being run out attempting a risky second run.
Stocks with his customary leg side flick.
As Stocks walked back to the pavilion to the cheers of the Rambas faithful, early drinks were taken, which gave new man in Smith time to relax and get ready to see the Ramblas over the finishing line.
Smith picked up where Stocks left off, playing sensibly and supporting the big hitting Danks with quick singles and sharp running. The duo continued to pile on the runs and the Ramblas were cruising to victory.
Pete Ford keeping fans entertained on the sidelines.
The only issue that faced the hosts was making sure that A. Danks got a chance to get his century. As fans on the sidelines frantically counted how much runs were left and how many more A. Danks needed for his ton, consecutive Smith boundaries threw a spanner in the works.
While the visitors searched for the ball in the bushes, instructions were communicated to the pair on the situation and Smith duly reigned in his attacking instincts. And with just four runs required for victory, A. Danks brought up his much deserved century with a perfectly timed pull shot that raced to the boundary.
A. Danks salutes his century at the end of the game.
And with that, the Ramblas picked up their 11th win of a truly wonderful season. It was an excellent performance in all areas and the team kept up their strong form at home.
Alas, no more home comforts this season and the Ramblas’ next stop is away to Brasted Invicta, where we hope to make amends for our only home defeat this season to the same opponent.
Ramblas MVP: With the ball, it’s hats off to Mark Loughlin’s destructive opening spell, Michael Cooper for his key wickets and Sam Ford for his tight bowling at the death. And with the bat, honourable mentions to Johnny Stocks and Drew Smith for ably supporting this week’s centurion and MVP, Alex Danks.