The new season started with a classic Ramblas switcheroo, as Limpsfield Chart stepped in to the breach due to the home ground still undergoing extensive works…

Ramblas’ new captain in Matt Rudgyard was looking to give the side their first opening day win in 15 seasons – that’s right folks, no wins on their 14 previous opening day fixtures and the omens looked good at the toss with Ramblas being asked to field – the choice Rudgyard would have made if he’d called correctly.

Ramblas set about their day in decent fashion – having had the luxury of a number of nets in pre-season and there was slim pickings for the opening pair of Thomas and Dilley, as the Limpsfield batsmen applied themselves well, both getting decent starts.

The first bowling change came in the ninth over, Rudgyard’s decision to replace Dilley with Parrett having an immediate effect by bowling McCaffrey in his first over. Not one to rest on his laurels (Lauries?), he duly rattled the stumps of the other opener Tilbury and Ramblas’ tails were up.

Thomas continued to toil at the other end and whilst there was no reward, the Captain was appreciative of his efforts which should have added to his overall wickets tally for the club. Former Captain Cooper replaced Thomas and was rewarded immediately, bowling the Limpsfield No. 4 with his second ball. The new Captain was delighted with his changes so far as they seemed to be reaping rewards immediately.

Walker and Alladina set about steadying the ship and did so with a number of attacking shots. Boundaries were frequently dispatched but despite this chances were still coming for the Ramblas – three catches spurned in quick succession only left the Ramblas with bruises, both to their egos and to the Vice Captain Thomas’s midriff.

Cooper was not to be denied, though – dispatching Alladina who played all around a straight ball and was clean bowled.

By this point, Fitch had replaced Parrett, but found Walker in imperious form (and his old friend Thomas with holes in his hands) and was unable to add to the wickets tally despite an edge that the keeper and first slip failed to snag.

It wasn’t long until Walker reached his 50 and graciously retired from the arena – his pads remaining on as we expect he knew that he’d get the opportunity to add to his tally later in the innings.

Cooper struck once again in his sixth over – another clatter of the stumps dismissing A Richie for a duck.

Rudgyard then threw the ball to Jon Stocks (another former Captain) to see if he could work his own magic and once again the change of bowler had the desired impact with Stocks dismissing O’Rourke for 25 just as he’d started to get settled. The safe hands of Loughlin taking our first catch of the day.

Rudgyard was keen to blast through the tailenders and tossed the ball to Loughlin who proceeded to dismiss McLennon Hill and McLennon in consecutive balls. The chance of a hat-trick was dampened when the diminutive figure of J Richie strode to the crease. The Captain asked Loughlin to take pace of the ball given that Richie the younger was yet to experience the delights of his teenage years. Unfortunately, the hattrick chance was missed but regardless Loughlin dismissed the youngster in his next over for another duck when Parrett took a smart catch.

This brought Walker back to the crease and set about the attack again – scoring a further 25 runs before Dilley took his leg stump having been brought back by Rudgyard to finish off the innings.

The hosts finished their innings 212 all out and the Ramblas took heart from bowling them all out – perhaps ruing some missed chances that could have led to  a significantly lower target to chase.

Tea was taken in idyllic settings despite the dark clouds forming in time for the Ramblas chase.

Rudgyard sent J Stocks and Loughlin to open the batting. To say that the pair got off to a slow start would be an understatement. However, this was more a result of some fine bowling from the Limpsfield opening pair of Hill and Bingham. Chances were limited for the batsmen and only 14 runs were scored off the bat in the opening 10 overs.

J Stocks was the first to let his frustration get the better of him and was caught behind of the bowling of Hill for nine. Smith in at three looked to be positive from the get go but was caught trying to go over the top for a duck.

Christensen faired no better and was bowled by Hill for a duck despite being watchful initially.

Loughlin and L Stocks saw of the new bowlers opening spell of eiight overs each – Bingham finishing his spell having only conceded nine runs and Hill having taken three key wickets.

Alladina and J Richie (the younger) continued where Limpsfield’s opening bowlers had left off and took the wickets of Loughlin (20) and L Stocks (0), both bowled, though L Stocks was particularly unfortunate to lose his wicket having played on to a rising ball.

Rudgyard and Cooper were left with the task of attempting to reignite the innings – while Limpsfield made a change to their bowling bringing on McClennon to drop some bombs! Rudgyard struggled to judge the flight of the bowling and scratched around for a while (despite being bowled off two no balls) scoring 10 from his short spell at the crease. Cooper, with new bat in hand, was slightly more resolute but succumbed LBW to O’Rourke (a further bowling change for the hosts) for three.

With Ramblas now 58/7, it was beginning to look like reaching a respectable target was going to present a significant challenge.

But cometh the hour, cometh Dilley and Parrett, who despite having done their bit with the ball set about the challenge with gusto. The pair making hay where others could not – the middle of the bat being found with regularity and boundaries coming as a result.

Whilst it lasted the sun shone on the Ramblas, but sadly this brief period of batting clarity did not. However, it did mean a collapse was averted and gave the Captain some more positives to consider.

Dilley scored a fine 25 from 31 balls before being bowled by J Richie. Fitch in to bat at 10 was hoping to stay the course and ensure that we batted through the remaining overs but unfortunately was swiftly caught behind of the bowling of Richie (a fine display from the youngster). Thomas looked to deliver the same outcome as Fitch as last man but unfortunately could not stem the Limpsfield tide and was bowled by Alladina.

Parrett remained unbeaten on 25 and deserved his post-match beverages for his part in the Ramblas rear guard action, as the Ramblas lost by 97 runs.

So, still no victory in our opening game of the season – 15 attempts down but hopefully many more chances to rectify this in the future.

There are plenty of positives to be taken from the game – not least from the bowling unit that showed no signs of any early season rustiness.

Ramblas MVP: In terms of the Ramblas man of the match this one is a tough call – I must give credit to Cooper and Loughlin for their three-wicket hauls (as well as the all-round offering from Dilley), but on this occasion for this early wickets and 25 with the bat the award goes to Geoff Parrett.