The month of May proved to be a difficult one for the Ramblas with their previous two weeks’ fixtures cancelled. And their nine year streak of never having cancelled a fixture was broken in the process.
The early omens weren’t good when original opponents Chevening pulled out due to lack of players but luckily for the hosts OD Cuaco stepped in to save the day. Tom Danks, Ed Gibbs and Sam Ford returned to the lineup after missing the last match vs Global CC. And former skipper Johnny Stocks made his season debut to complete the lineup.
After winning the toss, the visitors opted to bat first and Ramblas skipper Michael Cooper stuck with his tried and trusted opening attack of Mark Loughlin and Doug Danks. Both struggled with their rhythm and the quality of OD Cuaco’s openers shone through as they reached their century partnership within the first ten overs.
Sensing the need for a change, Gibbs and Steve Fitch replaced Loughlin and D. Danks respectively. Gibbs made the breakthrough with his first ball of the match, trapping the opener J. East LBW for 67. Even after the wicket, the visitors continued to pile of the runs, with a few showers dampening/mirroring the mood.
Fitch grabbed the second wicket thanks to a sharp catch from Ford at long off to dismiss W. East for 59. Despite both openers back in the hutch, runs were still easy to come by for OD Cuaco with their number three Hamilton retiring not out on 62. OD Cuaco’s next man in was thirteen year old Oscar Jasper who immediately put to bed any concerns about his age with a delightful dab down to third man off the bowling of Gibbs.
Ford came on in place of Fitch and T. Danks replaced Gibbs as Cooper continued to make changes in the bowling attack. Ford grabbed his first wicket of the season when he bowled the visitor’s number four for 11. T. Danks also nabbed his first wicket trapping O. Meenakshisundaram for just 3.
Cooper brought himself into the attack and was immediately among the wickets dismissing Oliver Jasper LBW for 23. Oscar Jasper was still chipping away at the scoreboard and reached his half century before OD Cuaco declared on 304-5.
With another rain shower arriving, both teams headed in to enjoy another excellent Ramblas tea. As the required run rate was a touch below eight an over, the hosts knew they were going have to be aggressive from the outset.
Alex Danks and T. Danks opened the batting and some early boundaries, and some shaky singles, got the hosts off to a good start. Sadly for the Ramblas disaster struck when T. Danks was run out attempting another quick single. T. Danks wasn’t overly enamored with the umpires decision but had to go regardless.
Stocks was the man in at first drop, and was out first ball thanks do a vicious late outswinger that clipped the top of his off stump. Matt Rudgyard was the next cab off the rank and along with A. Danks rebuilt after an initial wobble. The pair both hit some big boundaries as they got the score to 76 before Rudgyard was bowled for 19.
A. Danks was then partnered by Gambie, with the former upping the ante with some more delightful boundaries before he finally fell for an excellent 43. Gambie was trapped LBW the following over to leave the Ramblas on 92-5.
Ford and Loughlin were the next partnership tasked with leading a rebuilt and the pair got the Ramblas past the century mark, thanks to a massive six from Ford, before Loughlin was clean bowled for 8. The hosts reached drinks with the score on 116-6.
After drinks, Ford was bowled for 13 when he played onto his stumps trying to smash a full toss out of the park. Gibbs was the next man in and he raced to 8 thanks to a couple of boundaries before being bowler by wunderkind Oscar Jasper.
D. Danks and Cooper were the new batsmen at the crease although D. Danks’ stay didn’t last long when we has run out by his partner trying to pinch a single off a bye. Stitch was the last man in and together with Cooper dug in and tried to chip away at the scoreboard.
Cooper hit a couple of boundaries, including a top edge/dilscoop, as he reached 10 before being clean bowled and the Ramblas were all out for 141.
In what was an overcast and dreary day, the result did little to boost morale as once again the Ramblas lost at home by a considerable margin. But in true Ramblas fashion, we dust ourselves down and get ready for the next game.
Ramblas MVP: There weren’t too many standout performances but I’m breaking protocol with an honourable mention for a member of the opposition. At 13 years old, Oscar Jasper put on a show with 50* to go with a run out and a wicket. But the MVP award is staying with the Ramblas, and for his innings of 43 that helped us put on a total, this week’s award goes to Alex Danks.