OL Cricket Reports

Waspes 81-7, OLs 80-5, wasps win by one run, - aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhh.

Yes, it was that close, in fact the game, and indeed the league came down to the last ball, and well errrrr, we came second. No individual was to blame, but as Melv very eloquently put it, “Anyone of us could have done one thing a little better, and we would have won” Not Plato or Socrates, (The Philosopher, not the Brazilian footballer) perhaps, but bloody true none the same.

In a game which nobody believed would be played due to the rather damp weather of late, to be fair the council did produce a pitch that was as good as any they have produced all year, so pretty poor then, but not dangerous at least. Obviously the Waspes and The Advertiser were very keen to have the game played, and whilst we would win if it wasn’t, we did not want to win the league by default, or maybe we would now??!!

Waspes won the toss and decided to Bat, and frankly fannied about to try and ensure we had to bat in the worst of the conditions. Jamie proved why he is regarded as the best bowler in the league, with 3-8 off his 4 overs, Simon was a little unlucky to go wicketless, with 0-16 off his 4, Pikey claimed 2 wickets, though did get hit for a couple of rather large 6s, the quartet was completed by Randy making his debut, and he impressed with 2-20, including a textbook caught behind from the every reliable Rhys. Fielding was generally good, and catches were caught, though the Waspes batting is very strong, with half of Willoughby’s first XI playing. Boring Geoff went for a duck, and “over enthusiastic” Minnie nearly carried his bat for 28, as Waspes accrued 81, though a few eyebrows were raised at this total.

It was agreed by all that this was more than possible, and frankly we should have done, and probably would have done if we had gone against our principles, but sometimes being right is better. As always we stuck more or less to our guns, as the bowlers line up at 8-9-10-11 in the batting order, maybe this rule should be incorporated in the league rules.

Good knocks by Rob 17, Thorney 27no, and Jamie 23, took OLs to the brink, only to fail at the last hurdle, (can I get anymore sport based clichés in?) The poorly funded overseas programme, more commonly known as “Teach the big Yank how to play cricket initiative”, may need a little fine tuning before next year.

Next year, assuming the league is on, I strongly suspect we will make our presence felt, annoy the teams who think they are good by beating them, wind up the teams who take it too seriously, by not taking it seriously enough. We will retain our trophy for being generally the most fun, loudest, worst dressed, most entertaining, poorly equipped, best sledging, mixed talented bunch of cricketing misfits that the MCC have ever seen.

Despite being without their star bowler and ace reporter Simon Rigg, OL's won a good natured game against The Victorians by 70 runs.

Batting first, OL's scored a formidable 156 with contributions from all batsmen, including a fine 50 from Skins and 30 from a back to form Ian Wallis. Best bowler for the Victorians was Job with a tight spell 1 - 23.

In reply, Victorians struggled against tight bowling from Stish 4-17 including a flipper, doosra or some other weird ball ! and 2 wickets from the awesome Mushy. Fine fielding, especially from Foxy, also resulted in 3 run outs.

The spirit of the game was only marred by excessive sledging by the Victorians although, to be fair, this was towards one of their own bowlers.

As both teams had to pass the initiative test of entering a locked ground, things could have started better. OLs came out on top in a very tense game, which threatened to be marred by one Exile’s uncharacteristic bouts of poor sportsmanship. Though this was sorted out by all the other players from both teams, unceremoniously telling him to “belt up”.

On the astro and flat, fast outfield this was likely to be a free scoring game, with few wickets falling, 279 runs for 7 wickets, 2 of which were run out. Exiles won the toss and elected to bat, with Sam and Sarsons opening, Simon Rigg made the breakthrough with a C&B, but this only brought Groves to the wicket, who was unbeaten in the end with 59. Pikey was back on form, and Nipper, “I never get a wicket”, both bowling well for under 6 an over. Debutant Dave Whymont struggled a little with the step in class, but showed huge potential as he fitted in well. Melv took the other wicket for 1-18. In the context of the game Simon’s 1-14 off 5 overs was extremely economical. OLs didn’t field at their best, and a couple of catches went down, not to mention the certain somebody refusing to walk to a blatant catch??!!

In reply OLs needed 7 an over, which was always possible, big Wal was again unable to return to form, but Thorney,30 odd, Middy, 20 odd, great hitting from Haysey, and valuable contributions from Big Dan, and Pikey saw OLS home with 3 balls to spare. The star of the show, was Marcus 61*, who despite huge provocation, simply batted superbly, helping the less able batsmen to ensure victory. Haysey was awarded the fine exemption with 15 runs, a huge six, and fine fielding, and OLs march on. Rod, Sars and Dave taking a wicket each.

A final note of respect to the Exiles team, who ensured the game was finished in a friendly manner, by acting like true gents.

On a glorious sunny night OLs strengthened their grip on the league table with a comfortable, if not a little nervy, win against Exiles 11. In true league spirit the start was delayed to allow Exiles players time to arrive, OLs won the toss and elected to bat. With Big Wal keeping wicket, a reshuffled order saw Melv and Thorney open, Melv striking majestic boundaries, 13, Thorney was looking good on 18, before he was the first of Grove’s 4 victims, the bowler threatening to turn the match Exiles way. Middy hit his first ever 50, Jamie’s late hitting, 22*, and OLs had an above par score of 120. Yank Big Dan’s continued improvement even saw him using cricketing terminology, though the bat still looks small in his mitts. Grove 4-21 and Cox 2-13 were the best bowlers.

In reply Simon Rigg’s tight bowling 2-14 off five was restricting the score, he would have had more wickets but for some technical rule that you can be out LBW, if it hits the bat??!! Pikey had an off day, Nipper was unlucky to not take a wicket or two at least, but Jamie proved virtually unplayable with 2-4 off 5 overs, including 2 maidens at the death. Jess Butt hit 33*, and Grove 29, though the rate was always a little too high for the Exiles, as the OLs caught everything and fielded superbly. The return is next week, so another friendly and close game is in the offing.

OLs took control of the league with a resounding victory over The Exiles, the first double over them in many years. OLs won the toss and elected to bat, the early run out of skipper Thorney and Big Wal going for 2, meant the OLs started indifferently. Fine batting by Chris A’b, and Pearhead, saw the score rattling up. A newly laid astro, short boundaries and a fast outfield, meant scoring was rapid, but 150 was agreed to be a par score. Will Mortimer bowled fast and well, but came worse off against the power hitting of the above, though not as badly as Skipper Adam Ursell, who went for 60 in his 5 wicket-less overs. The innings stuttered when wickets fell, but Haysey used his one shot well for 11, lower order contributions by Rhys, Skinners and the Rigg brothers and OLs had a formidable target of 167.

In response Exiles looked confident of achieving the 8+ runs an over, but this was in tatters as Pikey ripped the heart out of the top order, with 3 wickets. Ably assisted by Simon who took two key wickets, the two somewhat reluctant opening bowlers taking OLs towards victory. Adam made up for his bowling with some lusty blows, but when he fell, Skinners and the ever nagging Pete “Mushtaq” Rigg, mopped up the tail, Pete taking 2-2, as OLs stormed to a 66 run victory, and a table topping position. Rhys was awarded the fine exemption for his all round performance including a proper caught behind, as an outswinger, (nobody said it was deliberate, or repeatable) from Simon, found the edge of the bat, and was caught behind, sort of how they do it on the TV.

A vastly improved NR side took a depleted OLs B side, with only 9 players, to the wire, as OLs won by 16 runs. The game was in the balance until the penultimate over when birthday boy, Peter Rigg took 2 wickets including top scorer Metcalf, 44, stumped by Rhys, to finish with 3-22 off 5 overs. OLs won the toss and batted, with Big Wal strangely out of sorts, but Thorney looked set to run away with it, scoring 57 before he broke his bat and was caught. NR bowled 35 extra less than the first fixture, which made life much tougher. Orbison took 2 wickets in his first over, and 3 in total. Lord Charles hit an imperious 29, and Rhys 16*, would have been in with a shout for the fine exemption had he attended the fines committee.

A total of 127 looked enough, but with OLs being short of regular bowlers, there was always a boundary ball to be had. Simon Rigg continued his return to bowling with 1-20, and was unlucky not to have at least 2 more, Nipper was unfortunate to only get 1 wicket, and Thorney finished the game off with 2-2-2. D. Stewart rode his luck a little for 19, and Scouse 14, helped the score along, but it was not quite enough. The on looking team mates always there for handy advice to be had for the batsmen and fielders alike, to keep things in high spirits. Just as Metcalf had taken NR in sight of victory, Pete struck and the game was all over bar the shouting.

A depleted OLs lost their unbeaten record to a very good, organised, if a little too serious Waspes team. A variable pitch meant batting wasn't easy, but Waspes played the conditions, and bowling, well to run up 126. Top score was Ali 29no, assisted by Minny 21 and James 23. Pick of the Bowling was Simon Rigg, opening for the first time this millennium, he finished with 5 overs 1 for 9. followed by big brother Pete, 1-22. Debutants Ash, Hayesy and a returning Lord Charles fitted into the team well. A honorary mentioned to ace stumper Rhys who kept superbly in the conditions.

Big Wal smacked the first ball of the reply for 4, but the rate of 6.35 an over was always going to be difficult. OLs were up with the pace at half way, but wickets were beginning to fall. Wal 16, Thorney 14, and Lord Charles all got into double figures but all fell to Ash (5-13), who changed the game with 5 wickets, though the 30 yrd run up was a little excessive?! Haysey instantly joined the legendary "Swish Swish club", and Ash McK confused everybody by randomly swapping between left and right handed. Regular wickets fell to good bowling, the dark, and a limited amount of skill. Thus leaving the brothers Rigg, 35 to get from 14 balls. It was not to be, and Waspes ran out deserved winners.

Just to show the Tuesday night league is alive and well, a friendly game, albeit one-sided was played in fantastic spirit, followed by a fun game. As the result meant an early finish, and all players ended up in the Vic for a beer and curry. Some of the other teams ought to take note??!!

The Vic won the toss, and opted to bat First. Opener Steve Potter admitted his average for the season was 1, he bettered that, but took several overs in doing so. Wickets fell regularly, and Pikey took a consecutive fifer, possible the first time in OLs history, though the 13 wides may also be a record, but the statistician, i.e. me, frankly cant be bothered to look it up. With Foxy slowing his pace down and bowling spin, the pitch at Winfield Rec, was as "interesting" as ever, and at full pace, it might have been dangerous. This allowed the Vic to hit a few lusty blows, but the score never really got moving. Following intensive net practise last week, Skipper Andy Thorne surprised everyone by asking Simon to bowl, a wicket first ball, and 3 in the over, and the innings was almost up. finished off by Jamie, and the target was only 43 to win. Special mention to Melv who took a couple of spectacular catches, and to Big Dan, who never looked like dropping one smashed straight to him.

In reply a no extra rule was agreed by the umpires, and Big Wal hit 16 off the first over, this was not going to take long. In the end 3.4 overs was all it took, with Wal 35*, and Melv 8*, a friendly 10 over game was agreed, with the Vic gaining revenge, though OLs fielding with 4 slips and a gully, (whatever they are), meant that any shot forward of the wicket resulted in free runs. An cordial invitation for a beer and curry at the Vic was kindly accepted, and an enjoyable evening of quality cricket was complete.

It has been decided by the official committee that Pikey is now officially a "player" and has had his "non player" status revoked due to his current performances.

In the battle of the top teams from the last few years, OLs came out victorious by playing, possibly their best ever all round game of cricket. Big Wal and Pikey were the stars of the piece with 55* and 5-30 respectively, but it was testament to how playing as team can beat a much better group of players. Exiles won the toss and asked OLs to bat first, with Big Wall carrying his bat and Thorney playing superbly for 34, including 14 off 3 balls. Dommy, Melv, Rhys and Skinners all contributed to the team effort, as a very defendable 121 was achieved, against a team with 4 proper bowlers. Each took one wicket, but all went for 5 an over at least. Mortimer and Parsons taking 1-25.

In reply, Pikey showed why he has been "non player" of the year for the last 3 years as he bowled superbly for a fifer, including a possible hat-trick. With Jamie bowling very tightly for 1-15 at the other end Exiles were always behind the pace, and possibly felt that somebody else would score the runs. The change of bowlers allowed Skinners and "Mr Nealon", as some of his pupils were heard to chant, to show off their skills as both took 2 wickets. Top score was Mortimer with 18, and 16 from Burnett and Brown, was never enough as OLs took their catches and fielded superbly to run out easy winners.

To confuse all concerned it wasn’t raining and the pitch was obviously different from the rest of the square, which is verging on breaking Rugby Advertiser League rules. It is fair to say that these are not the most talented teams in the league, but make up for this in enthusiasm, banter, and fun. In celebration of their 13th year in the league, the brothers Rigg opened the batting, and an opening partnership of 38 would have been enough to win, though the run out may not have been the best end. Pete's 10, and Simon's 25 included some fine shots, but they were eclipsed by Melvin's 26 and late hitting by Jamie's 36*. A notable mention for Dan's "home run" in his first outing, though at times he couldn't disguise the fact he is a 20+stone American playing cricket. Best bowling was Ryan with 4-42, and Dave 2-23, though extras were, well to be fair, plentiful.

In reply N R were never at the races, but kept going to the end, running out of batsmen well short of their target. Best bowling was Jamie 4-16, followed by Pete 2-6, Stish 2-9, and Skinners 1-2, though he took a wicket with the third bounce of a very short ball. No batsmen reached double figures, though a variety of stances and shots allowed NR to bat into the 13th over, allowing a finish in the light for once.