A return to home comforts failed to bring a return to winning ways as the Ramblas fell to a six wicket defeat to old rivals Chevening.
Following last week’s defeat to London Itinerants, the Ramblas welcomed back a plethora of talent. Alas, a last minute injury for James Dilley saw him replaced in the XI by his dad Stu.
Skipper Matt Rudgyard won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping the fast outfield will lead to plenty of runs on offer.
Johnny Stocks and Jason Christensen were tasked with opening the batting, and the duo did not disappoint their captain. Boundaries were flowing like Guinness on St Patrick’s Day as they raced to 54 off the first 8 overs.
Alas, in true Ramblas style a wobble was just around the corner, as Christensen (25) and Rudgyard (0) were dismissed in successive balls. Mark Loughlin was the man in a four and together with J. Stocks helped rebuild the innings.
Despite a niggling injury, Loughlin was his usual fluent self and the third wicket partnership took the score to 105 before J. Stocks was bowled for a well made 36. Chris Thomas, elevated to number five for the day joined Loughlin at the crease and signalled his intent by plundering twelve runs in his first over.
Loughlin fell for 43 on the cusp of the second drinks break. The wicket brought Duane Hall into the game and he was soon among the runs with back to back boundaries.
Another mini crisis occurred in the 29th over as Hall (18) and Laurie Stocks (0) fell in the space of three deliveries. Parrett was the next cab off the rank and alongside Thomas helped the Ramblas pass the 200 mark before he was caught for 11.
Steve Fitch was in at nine and he helped keep the scoreboard ticking along in the final overs. With two balls remaining and Thomas on 49, Fitch selflessly sacrificed himself to get Thomas on strike. Thomas carved the ball past the fielder at point to bring up his maiden fifty as the Ramblas ended on 222-8 off their 35 overs.
After a sedate tea break, the hosts took to the field knowing they’d have to be at their best to snatch the victory. Parrett and Thomas opened the bowling and despite initially struggling, soon found their rhythm.
Parrett picked up the first wicket of the innings thanks to a sensational one handed grab at square leg by Michael Cooper to dismiss Black. One wicket soon became two thanks to a simple catch at point by Fitch off the bowling of Thomas.
Hall and Fitch came on in place of Parrett and Thomas respectively but Chevening continued to chip away at the total as they reached the first drinks break at 84-2.
The break saw a brief change in fortunes for the Ramblas as Fitch claimed two wickets in three balls. The first was courtesy of a great catch on the run by J. Stocks, and the second saw Fitch dismantle the stumps with a peach of a delivery.
Sadly that was as good as it got for the Ramblas as Ronan and Recaldin comfortably wrapped up the chase with five overs to spare.
In what was a frustrating day in the field, the Ramblas need to dust themselves down and look to bounce back against Tatsfield away next week.
Ramblas MVP: Honourable mentions to Mark Loughlin for his 43, Steve Fitch for his double wicket maiden that gave the Ramblas a glimmer of hope, and to Michael Cooper for his sublime one handed catch. But for picking up a wicket to go with a sparkling 53*, this week’s MVP is Chris Thomas.