Rollicking Ramblas break 10-game winless streak, as a Geoff Parrett bowling masterclass and barnstorming knock by Luke Sheridan guide the hosts to a three-wicket victory.
In-keeping with the throwback start to their season, the Ramblas were not only faced with finding a replacement opposition in the shape of local team Grenfell CC, but also found themselves two players short until JP Aubin-Parvu and Max Sheridan stepped up – the latter for his debut.
Winning the toss and opting to field first, the Ramblas were faced with some big-hitting from the off, with Chris Thomas particularly getting some treatment before he elicited some revenge with the first wicket of the day.
Aubin-Parvu took over from Thomas and was immediately into his rhythm, bowling with beautiful shape and getting his reward with an edge that was caught at slip. From the other end, Parrett replaced the economical James Dilley and was soon on his way to something special, taking wickets courtesy of catches by L. Sheridan and Drew Smith before then stooping to take an excellent catch off his own bowling to end a majestic first spell.
Geoff & Luke combine for the third wicket of the day
Looking to throw something different at a batting duo that had come together to not only stem the tide of wickets but were also notching up boundaries with regularity, captain Michael Cooper called upon Steve Fitch and Ben Sheridan just before drinks.
Although there was no breakthrough before refreshments, the decision to persevere with the pair after the break paid dividends, with B. Sheridan bowling the visitors’ top scorer in an important breakthrough and then Fitch getting in on the act, first with a nick that was well caught by ‘keeper Matt Rudgyard and then with an LBW.
That left the imperious Parrett to finish things off to claim his maiden five-fer, first with one that clattered the stumps and then being awarded the last wicket LBW, backed by the loudest appeal Pickhurst Rise has heard for some time.
Geoff leads the Ramblas off the field
It was another strong showing in the field by the Ramblas, coming back from a heavy artillery of boundaries at the start to bowl out the visitors for 232 in 33 overs. Still, with a line-up slightly lighter on batting options than normal, the hosts knew it was going to take a good effort to chase that down.
Opting to open the batting with L. Sheridan, Cap’n Cooper was stoic in not giving away his wicket before finally being caught to bring in Smith.
Having scored a slightly scratchy 27 last week, Smith looked much more fluid and was in determined mood against a noisy field in partnership with L. Sheridan who was being very steady at the start of his innings. The pair made it to drinks and put on a 93-run partnership before Smith nicked one behind.
Coop & Drew showing good technique
With a 52-ball half century already under his belt, the Ramblas knew L. Sheridan needed a partner to stay with him, but continuing with the recent retro Ramblas performances, the score went from 125-2 to 136-6 as Rudgyard, B. Sheridan, Parrett and Dilley departed. That brought in Thomas, with 97 runs still needed, who sat back to watch L. Sheridan reach his ton as a very one-sided partnership added 35 before Thomas nicked one to slip.
Wielding his bat like a gladiator as he entered the playing arena, Aubin-Parvu was next in, as the Ramblas sought the remaining 65 runs for victory.
Luke brings up the first Ramblas 150 score / JP digging in
L. Sheridan was now moving through the gears, peppering the boundary in the closing stages as he reached 150, and – ably assisted Aubin-Parvu (who celebrated his first boundary in style) – saw the Ramblas home, with a four from Aubin-Parvu sealing the win with 10 balls to spare.
The visitors will surely have been looking at posting a total between 275-300 after their blistering start, but the fightback in the field by the Ramblas to bowl them out was just the first chapter in a compelling day’s cricket, as L. Sheridan hit the Ramblas’ highest ever individual score to drive them over the line.
Handshakes all round after a thrilling contest
Ramblas MVP: A cop-out it may be, but this week sees us unable to split the bowling brilliance of Geoff Parrett – who got the rewards his recent performances have merited to keep the target down – and the perfectly timed innings of Luke Sheridan whose 156* came off just 113 balls.