Can it really be? After an inauspicious start in the summer of 2010 (and the summer of 2011. And much of 2012, to be fair…), the Kent Ramblas go into their ninth season having managed to end a summer in credit for the first time.
Despite preparing to be without a few of the familiar faces from the recent past, there’s still a squad full of healthy competition and with an appetite to continue last year’s good work. As well as an appetite for a good tea and a pint.
Dave Brewer | Injuries took their toll on one of our bravest members in 2017, but we’re hoping a winter of recuperation will have revitalised his body and soul for another crack in the Ramblas whites, where he’ll no doubt be looking to retain his (jointly shared) title for catch of the season.
Lucy Brewer | The chairperson (and vice-chairwoman, treasurer and sole member) of the Ramblas fan club continues to threaten to don the whites, but a surfeit of (dairy-free? – Ed) cake options will be ample recompense.
Michael Cooper | Captain Cooper inherited a team on the up and safely steered them to their first positive season in his debut season as skipper. The biggest question he faces is how to follow that. His next most pressing concern is how to balance that hunger for runs and the innate selflessness he shows for the Ramblas cause.
Ian Dacre | Currently enjoying a Spanish sojourn, the man who can go from bowling like Allan Donald to Donald Duck in the space of an over will be welcomed back with open arms should he return, as he looks to play catch-up in the wicket-taking stakes after last year’s travels.
Alex Danks | It was another stellar season with the bat and behind the stumps for our youngest Danks and if the big scores continue to flow at the top of the order, then the tail-enders can ready themselves for another year feeding on morsels.
Doug Danks | Mercurial. Majestic. Magnificent. And that’s just his beard… As for on the pitch, his performances continue to reach new heights, becoming the fastest man to 50 Ramblas wickets and offering more than a solid defence when it comes to the bat. A man for all seasons.
Tom Danks | Limited appearances last summer just meant that he had to pack those suicidal singles into fewer games. And if nothing else, he likes a challenge. Hopefully, there’ll be more caps and less mayhem on the wicket this year.
Steve Fitch | Enjoyed his second-best season in terms of wickets in 2017, developing a handy knack of getting them in batches, with three well-timed three-fers and recovered manfully from what may become known as the Beasting by Brasted.
Peter Ford | As with long-term friend/foe* (delete as appropriate, depending on whether there’s been a golf match/run out of late) T. Danks, we were only granted fleeted glimpses of Pete, but he still managed to bag six vital (and economical) wickets, as well as fall agonisingly short of a half-century against Royal Challengers.
Sam Ford | Another who was spotted less than previous seasons, Sam still managed to put in some pivotal appearances with the bat, as he guided us home (or near enough) on more than one occasion. Here’s hoping for more of the same in 2018.
Dave Green | A newbie to the cause, Dave travelled far and wide from his base in Putney to dust off the cricketing cobwebs and not only showcase his all-out attack batting style, but also snaffle a cracking one-handed catch to share the honours with his namesake at the end-of-year awards.
Mark Loughlin | The man who can do (almost) everything was once more a force to be reckoned with across the board last year, despite being shifted more towards the batting side of things. Still comfortably our all-time leading wicket taker, there’s sure to be a good increase on that total come the end of summer.
Geoff Parrett | Superlative bowling yielded a best-ever number of wickets, yet there’s no doubt that haul could have been higher with a bit more luck. Not content with being among the pick of the bowlers, the now-all-grown-up Geoff was also part of some key partnerships – none more so than in the game-changing effort against Battersea Ironside.
Matt Rudgyard | Another who joined halfway through the season thanks to an unlikely SOS via a non-cricketing Facebook group, Matt has embraced the Ramblas ethos wholeheartedly and proven a valuable member, contributing some important runs and willing to step in behind the stumps.
Jonathan Stocks | Maybe somewhat a dark horse in the end-of-year awards, our erstwhile skipper enjoyed his best years with bat and ball last summer. Could the continued freedom from the shackles of captaincy reap even further reward in the future?
Laurie Stocks | Still helping to pull the strings behind the scenes, we’re still occasionally graced with Laurie’s presence as he ensures the bar staff are kept busy; all in the name of keeping the club afloat, you understand…
Chris Thomas | It took an astonishing season from Doug Danks to keep Thommo from the top of the wicket-taking charts, who finally seemed to marry wicket-taking threat with a degree of economy. May still take time for some to forgive him for dropping Doug’s chance of a five-fer, mind…