Despite a spirited effort with bat and ball, the Rambas still succumbed to a 112 run defeat against a good Crusaders side.
Ramblas captain Michael Cooper welcomed back Johnny and Laurie Stocks to the lineup as well as Tom Howgego, ensuring that once again he had no selection concerns ahead of the final home game of the season.
Cooper won the toss and elected to field first, with Mark Loughlin tasked with opening the attack for the hosts. The Ramblas got off to a strong start when Thomas picked up the first wicket of the day thanks to a fantastic running catch at deep mid wicket by Geoff Parrett.
Geoff takes a blinder
It got even better for the hosts when Loughlin found the edge of the Crusaders number three’s bat and it was easily snaffled by ‘keeper Matt Rudgyard.
Dilley and Cooper replaced Loughlin and Thomas respectively, and while the latter’s spell began with a maiden, it went downhill and was replaced after four overs by Loughlin. Dilley and Loughlin’s pace put the pressure back on the Crusaders’ batters and it was Loughlin who grabbed the third wicket, eliciting another edge from the batter that was pouched by Rudgyard.
Mark claims his second wicket
A full toss from Dilley dismantled the stumps to see the Ramblas paceman pick up his first wicket as the visitors reached the drinks 120-4.
With Dilley and Loughlin bowled out, Cooper brought himself back on alongisde Parrett but with both the visitor’s batsmen well set and seeing the ball like a beach ball, the pair took a hammering as the scoreboard raced along at an alarming pace.
The pair were replaced by Thomas and J. Stocks, with the former picking up the wicket of the dangerous Satnam courtesy of a brilliant catch at deep mid wicket by L. Stocks. Thomas then picked up his third wicket when Loughlin caught Luc at extra cover.
Laurie & Thommo celebrate their wicket
Runs continued to flow however, and the Crusaders finished their innings on 314-6 from their 40 overs.
After enjoying another fine Ramblas spread, and with the required run rate at nearly eight an over, it was quickly back to business for the hosts. J. Stocks and Loughlin opened the batting for the hosts and while the former was opening his arms and cutting the ball with aplomb, the latter was soon back in the pavilion after mistiming a shot straight to mid wicket.
Mark & Johnny open the batting
Luke Sheridan was the man in at first drop, and while initially watchful soon found his rhythm. J. Stocks continued his attack on the bowlers but after being dropped several times, his luck finally deserted him and he was caught behind for an entertaining 26.
Ben Sheridan joined his older brother at the crease and kept the scoreboard ticking over with some quick running. Sadly for the young Sheridan, a brief loss of balance saw him bowled for 5 on the cusp of drinks with the score on 69.
Tom Howgego was in at five and looked to support L. Sheridan as he looked to kick on after drinks. L. Sheridan was looking ever more comfortable at the crease and was soon dispatching the ball to all parts as he reached his fifty.
Tom digs in / Luke survives a scare
The pair continued to put runs on the board and took the score past the century mark before Howgego was caught for 9 trying to ramp up the scoring. Together the two put on 53 runs and Howgego’s departure brought L. Stocks to the crease.
L. Stocks picked up the role Howgego had previously played, supporting L. Sheridan and ensuring that he was getting as much of the strike as possible. And with the chances of victory all but gone, attention soon turned to L. Sheridan’s chances of a second century of the season.
The Ramblas number three was batting beautifully and a flurry of sixes saw him race to 99, before tapping the ball into the vacant mid wicket to reach a richly deserved hundred.
Players watch on / Laurie congratulates Luke on his century
Shortly after L. Sheridan’s century, L. Stocks was caught for 3 and was replaced at the crease by Rudgyard. Rudgyard and L. Sheridan continued the fight to the last as the Ramblas finished their innings 202-5.
Against a quality opposition, the Ramblas didn’t fold under scoreboard pressure and put on a strong showing with the bat in their final home game.
Ramblas MVP: Honourable mentions to Mark Loughlin and Chris Thomas for their efforts with the ball, but for his 132* this week’s MVP has to be Luke Sheridan.