The Ramblas finally returned to winning ways, defeating Lamorbey Park for the first time in their history.

On a warm Sunday afternoon, Ramblas skipper Matt Rudgyard welcomed Michael Cooper back to the fold alongside Ben Sheridan, the latter making his season debut. After some near misses in the previous weeks, the hosts were in good spirits, even as Rudgyard lost the toss and the Ramblas were put in to bowl.

Ganesh Ghube and Chris Thomas opened the bowling, but in a change to the usual proceedings, Ghube was bowling up hill and Thomas bowling from the Tennis Court end. The switch up worked perfectly, with Thomas picking up the first wicket of the day when Barnett edged one through to the ‘keeper. One wicket became two moments later, thanks a fantastic run out from Mark Loughlin with only one stump to aim at.

After a four over burst, Thomas was replaced by Cooper and the change reaped instant dividends when the new bowler took a tricky caught and bowled effort. James Dilley replaced Ghube, whose spell of 7-0-21-0 was crucial in building pressure, as the visitors reached the first drink break at 54-3 off 12 overs.

Dilley claimed the fourth wicket of the innings when he trapped Abey LBW, before Cooper nabbed his second of the game when a top edge by Hobbs was safely snaffled by Rudgyard.

Duane Hall and Geoff Parrett were tasked with bowling the final overs of the innings, and the tandem bowled well together despite the best efforts of the batters to boost the scoreboard. It was Hall who took the final wicket of the innings thanks to a ridiculous catch from Luke Sheridan. With the ball seemingly sailing over his head and away to the boundary, L. Sheridan turned on the run, stuck out a hand and saw the ball stick in his mitt.

Lamorbey Park finished their innings on 172-6 off their 35 overs, the Ramblas knowing that it was a gettable target considering the lightning quick outfield. After a sumptous feast laid on for tea, the Ramblas got themselves focused on securing the victory.

Brothers Ben & Luke Sheridan were tasked with opening the batting and building a strong platform. And they did it with aplomb, respecting the good balls and dispatching the bad ones. The combination of watchful batting and clean striking saw the pair take the hosts to 64-0 off 12 overs.

The duo did not let up, dispatching the ball to all parts before L. Sheridan reached his fifty. And after plundering 26 runs the following over, was retired by the Ramblas skipper. B. Sheridan struck three successive boundaries to secure his fifty before also retiring.

Dilley and Mark Loughlin were the new batsmen in, before the former selflessly retired himself with seventeen runs required in order for Laurie Stocks to get time at the crease. Alas the plan didn’t quite come to fruition as L. Stocks was dismissed after three balls. The wicket brought Thomas to the crease, who helped the Ramblas over the line with over ten overs to spare.

While the scorecard may look like a routine win, the Ramblas were made to work hard for the win, both in the field and with the bat. They now go into next week’s game at Hildenborough full of confidence.

Ramblas MVP: Honourable mentions to the bowling attack who kept the score to a chaseable total, but for their batting masterclass that secured victory, this week’s MVPs are Luke Sheridan & Ben Sheridan.