On song: Ringwood's bowlers including Ian Holland, pictured, led the way in the Rams' win over Geelong on Saturday. Holland is pictured last season. Picture: Wayne Hawkins
RINGWOOD'S bowlers took their side to the best possible start to the Premier Cricket season on Saturday.
In wet and wild conditions at Jubilee Park, the Rams won the toss and bowled first, skittling Geelong for just 55 off 21.4 overs.
The Cats' score was their lowest since joining Premier Cricket in the 1993-94 season, beating their previous lowest score of 73.
While they faced an easy target, the Rams had to wait to get back on the park as rain arrived. But thanks to the work of the ground curator and the Duckworth-Lewis rule, the Rams were set a target of 40 from five overs to win the match. They got the total with just two balls to spare with captain Ben Osborne (10 off three balls) and Joe Loorham (three off two balls) on the crease. Opener David King top-scored with 18 from 11 balls at the top of the innings.
Osborne praised his side for earning a vital win in a round in which only a few sides managed wins. "We were fortunate enough to win the toss and the bowlers did the job within 22 overs," he said.
Steve Nicholls (3-8), Michael Topp (3-15) and Ian Holland (3-15) split the wickets.
Osborne said bowling first on a wet day at least gave his side the chance to push for a win.
"When you bowl a team out you give yourself every chance and our bowlers all took wickets and bowled well then when we batted we just did what we had to do to get that total.
He praised the Ringwood curator for working all day to make the ground playable for their run chase.
"It was a great effort by everyone, including the curator, who stuck around all day with the covers and sopping up moisture on the ground."
The Rams play Northcote at Bill Lawry Oval in a one-day match this Saturday at 11am.
■ In the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association, there was no play between Croydon and Endeavour Hills on day one of their two-day match on Saturday. The match will now revert to a one-day game this Saturday with play starting at 12.30pm.
Correction
In the Weekly last week, a wrong picture was used in the story on Michael Topp. We apologise for the error.