Castle Rising v Eton Ramblers

Played on the David Lindley Memorial Ground

on Sunday 16 August 2020

 With storms and weather sweeping North Norfolk it felt unlikely that a game was going to be possible. However the weather held initially and the Ramblers won the toss and elected to bat first on a dry wicket.

Both the openers had made hundreds last year, but David Martin Smith was quickly caught behind to prevent repetition. However, Ed and Harry Steel took over, giving a master class in composure and shot selection  – both passing their fifties – before Harry was run out unfortunately for 81; their partnership of 154 being the second highest Rambler partnership of the summer. Ed Steel and Scott MacLennan – a permanent Honorary Rambler for this fixture – then cut loose – Steel’s 101 not out and MacLennan’s 50 off 26 balls enabled the Ramblers to declare on 246 for 2 after 47 overs when Ed Steel reached his hundred – his second here in consecutive years – believed to be unprecedented.

An opening attack of ringers Julian and Evy Martin Smith – eminently forgivable in this fixture – one “right arm over” and one “left arm over” took advantage of the fact that Rambler catching this year is almost unprecedented and catches by Martin Smith (A), MacLennan and Evans-Lombe removed the first three in 8 overs. Alex Evans-Lombe started with a tight spell and off spin from Fred Ponsonby and James Macadam’s pace, helped by more smart catches by David and Evy Martin-Smith, the first one being regarded by a fellow Rambler as particularly creditable, reduced the Rising to 95 for 6. However, the Castle Rising seventh wicket pair became well set, and were given a few lives, with the result that 87 were wanted in the last 20 overs without further loss

Taylor (90 not out) and Wilson (25 not out) were still together when bad light and heavy rain brought the game to an end with 46 wanted from 14 overs. In the opinion of the Rambler skipper the home team probably felt more robbed by the rain.