The Ramblas ended their August blues with a first ever win at Hildenborough in the penultimate game of the season.
Skipper Matt Rudgyard was missing a few regulars ahead of the game but luckily John Loughlin and Matt Lynch stepped up to the plate, both making their second appearance of the season. After an uncontested toss, the Ramblas were bowling first.
Ganesh Ghube and Chris Thomas opened the bowling and while the latter struggled with his rhythm, the former was in fine fettle. Ghube nabbed the first two wickets of the day, clean bowling both Smith (20) and Martens (9) in his seven over spell.
Ghube and Thomas were replaced by Michael Cooper and James Dilley respectively and it was Cooper who picked up the wicket of Sparks thanks to a sharp, low catch at extra cover by Ghube. Alas Cooper’s radar went askew in his later overs to help keep the hosts in the game.
Dilley however was back to his best, deservedly claiming two wickets on the day. The first was an edge through to the ‘keeper, the second sending the stumps flying to reduce Hildenborough to 150-5 with just under 10 overs to go.
With wickets in hand, the hosts were looking to kick on and set the Ramblas a hard target to chase. Rudgyard brought on Geoff Parrett and Jason Christensen to see out the final overs. The duo did not let their skipper down, conceding only 25 runs in their 8 overs with Christensen picking up the last two wickets of the innings courtesy of catches from J. Loughlin and Thomas.
Hildenborough ended their innings on 180-7 and the Ramblas knew they were back in the contest thanks to a valiant fightback in the field.
Mark Loughlin and Parrett opened the batting and put on 35 before the latter was caught behind for 12. Although Parrett struggled in his innings, he still hit a trademark six to punctuate his stay at the crease.
Matt Lynch was the man in at first drop and alongside M. Loughlin kept the scoreboard ticking over reaching 65-1 at the drinks break. The duo continued to pile on the runs, plundering 75 runs in the first ten overs after the break, with each batter bringing up their fifties.
The pair sealed the win in the 33rd over of the game to give the Ramblas a nine wicket victory to end a three game losing streak. M. Loughin (90*) and Lynch (72*) put on a 146 run partnership to take the Ramblas over the line in another excellent contest against Hildenborough.
The Ramblas travel to Ash next Sunday for the final game of the season, keen to end the year on a positive note.
Ramblas MVP: In what was a great all round team performance, two key partnerships deserve particular praise. So this week’s MVPs are Jason Christensen & Geoff Parrett and Mark Loughlin & Matt Lynch.