The Ramblas found themselves on the wrong end of another close-run game against long-term friendly foes Chevening as they left the confines of Ex Blues for the first time in six weeks.
Much of the talk before the game was Euros-related (with a couple of Ramblas having just paid (a lorra, lorra money) for tickets to the last 16 game in Gelsenkirchen where they hoped England would play), but thankfully the cricket on show was a vast improvement on what Southgate’s men have thrown up so far.
With the sunshine baking the strip in the days leading up to the game, the inevitable toss win of the hosts was followed by the equally inevitable decision to bat first.
A much-changed Ramblas XI saw Drew Smith, Kieran Gibbons, Geoff Parrett and JP Aubin Parvu return, while cap #122 was awarded to debutant Jack Brazier.
The Chevening innings commenced and skipper Matt Rudgyard turned to the experienced opening pair of Mark Loughlin and James Dilley, hoping to get off to a good start.
And what a start it was! Two wickets falling in the first six overs. An LBW for Dilley to remove Beale and the next ball a sharp run out for Loughlin fielding at fine leg removing Scaria, the other opener.
Brazier’s introduction to the Ramblas came with a shot hit hard to him at square leg. Unfortunately, whilst his hands assumed the catching position the ball managed to evade them and instead hit him in the sternum before dropping to the floor – a nice bruise on his debut was probably not what he’d signed up for.
Aubin Parvu and Gibbons were were brought into the attack, with the former removing both Ronan (caught Sheridan) and Isaac (R) bowled, in his first over. Gibbons, although wicketless, bowled an excellent spell of 4-2-0-11.
Parrett replaced Aubin Parvu and Seth Clifford replaced Gibbons, with the score at 56/4. Both kept the run rate well below where Chevening wanted it to be initially. However, Black who came in at three was beginning to show that he’d got himself in with some strong hitting.
There isn’t much talk of the quality of the ball at this level, but having lost the match ball (Black hitting a boundary deep into the bushes) which was still looking brand new the replacement ball seemed to be to Black’s liking with him quickly moving to his 50 and beyond, finding gaps in the field regularly.
The Chevening captain Recaldin had joined Black and there was concern that having made two big scores against Ramblas in consecutive innings that more damage might be imminent. However Aubin Parvu, in his second spell, had his measure and dismissed Recaldin for 11 runs after being caught by Tom Howgego at gulley (after a quick juggling act for the crowd).
At 94/5, the Ramblas still had hopes of keeping the score down to a manageable level but Chevening Amblers closed their innings on 185/5 with Black having scored a fine 108 not out (66% of the runs scored off the bat).
Tea was taken in the sun while the Ramblas recuperated and Rudgyard considered how a successful chase might be engineered.
A replacement for Chevening was agreed – Cunningham having retired hurt with a thigh strain when batting.
Clifford and Howgego opened up for Ramblas and got the off to a strong start, with the former initially in majestic form, finding the boundary with some fine stroke making and a dash of his usual aggression towards the bad ball. Sadly, it wasn’t to last with Clifford (28) being bowled by N Cunningham in the ninth over with the score at 39.
Smith joined Howgego at the crease and whilst the run rate did dip they both kept things ticking along until Smith was caught having tried to hit over the fielding ring.
Ben Sheridan, in only his second innings of the season, was in at four and settled quickly getting into his rhythm and finding the boundary with two massive sixes. Howgego kept his end safe until halfway through the innings, finally falling for 11.
The debutant Brazier was sent in at number five having told the team his intention was to only allow a single dot ball per over. His confidence couldn’t be faulted, but sadly his running between the wickets could! Run out for a duck after being told firmly “no” by Sheridan when already halfway down the wicket.
Dilley was next in and fared little better, caught off the bowling of Ronan for just the single run – not his weekend with the bat!
Rudgyard joined Sheridan and both looked to kick on with the overs drying up and over 80 runs still to chase. Unfortunately, singles at this point seemed to be the only runs Ramblas were finding and whilst these were off most balls it wasn’t enough.
Sheridan, maybe a little frustrated tried to go big and was caught at deep mid-on of the bowling on Ronan.
Loughlin joined Rudgyard and as before looked to push on – the 15th over going for 15 runs with both hitting maximums before Rudgyard was caught at deep mid-off trying to achieve the same off the bowling of Ronan.
Gibbons was the next cab off the rank, but was quickly sent back, with Parrett enduring a similarly speedy stay at the crease.
The Ramblas’ last hopes laid with Aubin Parvu and Loughlin – both capable with the bat and with Loughlin still finding the boundary regularly, the Ramblas remained in the hunt. Sadly, despite a brave effort, the Ramblas innings came to an end when Loughlin departed as Rudgyard had earlier – holing out in the deep at mid off.
The Ramblas were stranded 27 runs short of their target, on 158 all out, after another great team effort against a strong Chevening outfit.
Ramblas MVP: Nods to Seth Clifford and Ben Sheridan for their good starts, and to Kieran Gibbons for his tidy four-over spell. However, on this occasion it’s spoils shared between JP Aubin Parvu for three wickets on his return and to Mark Loughlin for his 40 runs that kept the Ramblas in with a shout of a win until the bitter end. Well done boys.