It was a rare moment for the Ramblas; a grim forecast that actually came to pass. Downpours bookmarked a grey and subdued day as the Ramblas travelled to Cudham.
Club captain Michael Cooper had no trouble getting a side out, with Rehan Qureshi and James Dilley returning to side along with Duane Hall and Johnny Stocks.
With the hosts insistant on a timed game, Cooper won the toss and chose to bowl first. Dilley and Chris Thomas opened up the attack and while Dilley was looking in great rhythm, it was Thomas who picked up the first wicket of the day after trapping Burnham LBW fo 12.
Sadly that was a good as it got for Thomas, after splitting the webbing in his fingers he was forced to head to A&E. Cooper and Hall replaced Thomas and Dilley but the pair struggled as the big hitting pair of Cudham piled on the runs.
Bowlers toil away
Cudham’s opener retired on 102 and this change brought a wicket thanks to a sharp caught and bowled effort by Rahul to remove Montgomery for 1. Alas, Hafeez was still dispatching the ball to all parts and also retired after reaching his century with a huge six.
Cooper brought himself back on, and after bowling Mitchiner for his 11th wicket of the season, the hosts declared on 252-3.
After a short break for tea, Keith Dolby and J. Stocks took to the field, aiming to anchor down and play for the draw. The pair looked in good touch and were untroubled by the bowling and both reached double figures before the heavens opened and the players raced back into the pavilion.
Keith & Johnny opening the batting
With the rain bedded in for the foreseeable future, both captains shook hands on draw with the Ramblas looking to end the season on an unbeaten streak as they host London Itinerants in the season finale.
Ramblas MVP: In a game where the only real winner was the weather, for toughing out a gloomy day at the office, this week’s MVPs are Michael Cooper, James Dilley, Keith Dolby, Duane Hall, Rehan Qureshi, Matt Rudgyard, Rahul Saha, Drew Smith, Johnny Stocks, Laurie Stocks & Chris Thomas.