Little Common Ramblers 1st XI got off to the perfect start to the Intersport Trophy competition beating East Dean by two wickets.
Having lost the toss on a sunny Saturday in East Dean, Ramblers were asked to bowl in the height of the heat. On a typically difficult early season pitch, Ramblers had success with regularity as 5 of the bowlers shared the wickets between them. It was Joe Croft (8-0-21-2), on 1st XI debut, who took the early wickets – reward for a fine spell of swing bowling. Mark Hopkinson (8-1-14-2) and Jon Meredith (8-1-23-1) made sure East Deans score never got away from them as they finished the middle overs ahead of the game. Some late hitting from East Deans lower order proved a small fight back however Deluar Ahmed (8-0-26-1) and Perry Holland (2.3-0-9-2) meant East Dean could only muster up 137 runs.
In reply, Little Common got of to a shaky start losing three early wickets, however, contributions from Alex Coombs (30), Jon Meredith (13), Mark Hopkinson (26) and Michael Chambers (17) meant the Ramblers were in pole position. A controversial mankad dismissal threatened to turn the match on it’s head, however, some lusty blows from Perry Holland (17) and a cool head from Ben White (7*) meant Ramblers won by 2 wickets and 13 balls to spare.
See the full scorecard HERE. Little Common will take on St. Peters 1st XI on Saturday in the next round of the competition.
Little Common Ramblers Cricket Club 