Fresh off two successive victories, the Ramblas headed into the week full of Icarus levels of confidence. However, much like the Greek legend, the Ramblas came crashing down to earth.
Original opponents Washington CC dropped out due to a lack of players and after two new teams were found and then promptly lost, Battersea Eagles once again came to the rescue, but boasting a much stronger lineup than previous contests.
Johnny Stocks and James Dilley returned to the line up, with Ben Butcher and Ben Sheridan making their season debuts. Ramblas captain Michael Cooper won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping the overcast conditions would aide the bowlers.
Dilley and Butcher opened the bowling for the hosts and while Dilley struggled with his rhythm at first, Butcher struck with his first ball, trapping Khan LBW for 1. Sadly was that was the only bright spot for the Ramblas in a tough first hour.
Geoff Parrett and Duane Hall came on in place of Dilley and Butcher respectively and it was the former who picked up the second wicket of the match clean bowling Battersea’s number three for 28. The visitors were racing along at nearly six an over but Hall nabbed the key wicket of Saahil for 48, caught by Johnny Stocks at backward point.
Battersea got to drinks 100-3 off 17 overs and the Ramblas knew that they had to be at their best to repeat their efforts in the field from last week. Alas, a strong middle order and a rapid outfield saw the visitors rack up the runs. Ben Sheridan came into the attack but his five over spell proved fruitless, although he did see a couple of tough chances dropped off his bowling.
There were some bright spots amidst the the second half of the innings. Hall picked up two more wickets, clean bowling Kul-Want for 7 and dismissing Harris for 66 thanks to a smart catch by Loughlin at long on. L. Sheridan nabbed himself a run out but the strong batting lineup saw the Eagles pile on 253 runs in their 35 overs, a target that the Ramblas had little chance of attaining.
After a quick turnaround, Cooper and J. Stocks opened the batting hoping to see off a strong opening attack from the visitors. Runs were hard to come by but J. Stocks was in good touch and pair took the score to 21 before Cooper was bowled around his legs for 3.
One wicket became three in the blink of an eye as L. Sheridan (6) and Matt Rudgyard (0) were dismissed the same over. Loughlin came in at number five and helped stem the flow of wickets, hitting a couple of boundaries until his was cleaned bowled by an unplayable delivery for 16.
The next cab off the rank was Parrett and along with J. Stocks rebuilt the innings but, after pulling his hamstring running a single, L. Sheridan was called on to act as his runner. After taking some time to get used to a runner, J. Stocks ably anchored as Parrett put the Eagles bowling attack to the sword.
Parrett hit ten boundaries in an exhilarating knock, before he fell one run shy of his fifty. Their 68 run partnership saw the Ramblas over the hundred mark and gave the innings a healthier look. L. Stocks was the next man in but no sooner had he arrived at the crease than J. Stocks was departing it, out for a well fought 41.
L. Stocks (2) and Butcher (1) also departed but Dilley was keeping the fight going alongside B. Sheridan before the latter was stumped in the final over.
The Ramblas finished on 144-9, falling to a 109 run defeat. While it may not of been the finest game we’ve seen this season, the Ramblas kept the effort up against a superior opponent. It’s now a matter of dusting themselves down a getting ready to take on new opponents Ash Green CC.
Ramblas MVP: For his delightful knock of 49, as well as picking up his first wicket of the season, this week’s MVP is Geoff Parrett.