MATCH REPORT

Ramblers v Christ Church – 23 April 2017

Christ Church won the toss and elected to bat on a pleasant spring afternoon. Due to some loose early season bowling their openers put on 19 from the first two and a half overs before Takavarasha took the first wicket of the season, trapping Oppenheimer lbw. The House’s number 3 came to the crease and complied a neat 50 second wicket partnership with the other opening batsman. whilst Collins and Treon bowled in tandem, keeping the run rate in check.

Patel and Wrottesley then replaced this pair, both bowling controlled off spin. Patel was rewarded with three wickets for his efforts, including a smart leg side stumping from Harrison and two catches from the boundary riders; Wrottesley with one. Collins was then rewarded with a wicket, and took a catch off Campbell; Takavarasha then joined in with a run out.

Christ Church ended with 159 off their 35 overs – what Ramblers of the past would have though of this being a limited overs match heaven only knows – the score being regarded as somewhat under part on a good wickety; an opinion which changed when Treon was yorked off the first ball of the Ramblers innings. Collins led a recovery before being bowled, nd Titus Badawi-Crook, the splendidly named House captain blew away the middle order.

Lord Wrottesley with 25 kept Rambler hopes going, but the steady fall of wickets at the other end left the Ramblers 27 runs short. As always at Iffley Road the match was played in an excellent spirit, which continued in the pub afterwards.