The inclement June weather wasn’t just ruining the hopes and dreams of those playing in cricket World Cup, it was threatening to deny the Ramblas’ chances of getting their game in against first time opposition Kings Hill CC. Indeed a seemingly endless downpour on the journey to Kings Hill had the visitors worried that it was going to be a wasted journey.
However, the cricketing gods were smiling on the Ramblas as upon their arrival, the rain had stopped and the game was good to go. Once again, Ramblas captain Michael Cooper had a selection headache due to a depleted squad but managed to cobble a side together thanks to the last minute additions of Al Murray (no, not that one) and Petts Wood regular, and Steve Fitch bunny, Colin Peatfield.
No matter how stressful the build up to the game may have been, it was somewhat reassuring to see some things never change, as Cooper lost the toss and Kings Hill chose to bat first.
Cooper opted, as ever, with his opening tandem of Mark Loughlin and Doug Danks confident that they’d be able to make early in roads. And the skipper’s confidence was rewarded in just the third ball of the innings when Keeping slashed at a wide delivery from Loughlin and was well caught by Peatfield in the covers.
The Ramblas congratulate Colin on his catch
After a blistering four over spell that deserved more than the solitary wicket, Loughlin was replaced by Steve Fitch who along with D. Danks restricted the run rate and had the batsmen feeding off scraps. But some decisive running from the batsmen kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Fitch picked up a much deserved wicket with the first ball of his third over when Fitchett played a loose flick to the leg side and was caught by Rehan Qureshi at mid wicket. D. Danks bowled beautifully and finally got his rewards with the final delivery of his spell, thanks to peach of delivery that came back in to clean bowl Ellis.
Ash rocking Sam’s jumper with aplomb
With D. Danks bowled out, Cooper brought himself into the attack and struck in just his second over when Clause failed to commit to a shot and the Ramblas skipper took a simple caught & bowled chance. Cooper and Fitch were bowling well in tandem, keeping the score down, backed up by some excellent work in the field.
In his final over, Fitch picked up his second wicket of the match when he clean bowled Rayner. The wicket of Rayner brought in Hutchins who signalled his intent smashing his first ball for four. Murray replaced Fitch and was given the unenviable task of trying to reign in Hutchins.
Lucy’s model du jour and latest muse…
As Murray struggled initially to find his line and length, Cooper’s spell came to an end and he was replaced by Loughlin. Murray soon found his rhythm and helped keep the two batsmen in check but both Hutchins and A. Jackson reached deserved half centuries.
Loughlin picked up his second wicket when A. Jackson edged one and Ramblas ‘keeper Gambie took a fantastic one handed catch to dismiss the opener. Murray then grabbed his first Ramblas wicket when Hutchins mistimed a pull shot and Cooper took a great catch on the run at deep mid wicket to dismiss the batsmen for 58.
Gambie’s reward for his one handed catch / Al keeping it real between overs
Kings Hill ended their innings on 155-7 off 35 overs and the Ramblas knew that the total was more than gettable. But in what’s been a tough season, would the visitors be able to pick up their first win of the season?
The hosts put on a truly fabulous tea that had the Ramblas demanding a return visit (and for the recipe for the brownies) next season whatever happened in the second innings. Ash Harriss and Alex Danks opened the batting for the visitors and while A. Danks was initially watchful, Harriss raced to double figures thanks to some ferocious cuts that would’ve made Robin Smith proud.
Ash attacking a wide delivery
A. Danks and Harriss kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely thanks to some sharp running and the odd smattering of boundaries. The pair were made to work hard for their runs with the Kings Hill bowling attack being as good an attack as the Ramblas have faced this season. The Ramblas got to the drinks break at 86 for no loss and were now favourites to win the game.
Harriss added two more to the score before he was caught behind for 47, cruelly denied what would have been a richly deserved half century. Qureshi came in at first drop and struggled initially with his timings and could’ve been caught several times early on. But he weathered the storm and started to rack up the runs with some quick singles.
A. Danks soon reached his half century, greeted with rapturous applause from his team mates but with thirty runs still needed he knew the job wasn’t over. The batsmen kept chipping away at the remaining runs, which became a whole lot smaller after Qureshi plundered ten off an over thanks to a fantastic straight drive and a massive maximum over the mid wicket boundary.
Al, the very model of zen like focus
The winning runs were picked up in the 32nd over as the Ramblas claimed their first win of the season. While the margin of victory may look large, it was anything but an easy victory for the Ramblas who had to be at their very best to beat a very good Kings Hill outfit.
Now that the monkey is off their backs, the Ramblas head to home pastures as they take on old foes Petts Wood next Sunday.
Ramblas MVP: Honourable mentions to the bowling attack who bowled well and helped restrict the hosts to a chaseable target. And with the bat, Ash Harriss set a great platform and Rehan Qureshi carried on the good work but thanks to his chanceless 65* this week’s MVP is Alex Danks.