social diary for 2005/06
last updated on 21/11/2005

Key Contacts

Golf Day

The greens have been re-laid over the last 12 months and should be in excellent condition – so no excuses there! They have also allowed the rough to grow between the fairways and that will add to the challenge.

The first tee time is at 1.00pm . We’ll have a simple 4 ball individual stableford competition over 18 holes, with the usual nearest the pin and longest drive. There is a meal in the evening, so bring a change of clothes. It’s very informal over there, so a jacket and tie is not essential. Cost is £37.50 fully inclusive of the odd prize or two!

Please let Pete Jenkins know as soon as possible if you are interested, so Ihe can confirm the number of places. If you have a preference for playing partners, then again let him know. He will sort teams and advise of exact tee time nearer the date.

He will also need your handicap.

Pete’s office number is 01788-542220, or home on 01788 817357.  Mobile is 07971 878848

E mail peter@leader-systems.co.uk

OL's Cricket

Old Laurentians do not just play rugby, we also have one of the strongest sides in the area ...

A Season To Remember
Promotion For OL’s B! Rugby Advertiser Cricket League 2004

Although this “summer” has not been the brightest or warmest (yet) – there have still been enough dry Tuesday evenings at least to see the OL’s B cricket side in action in division 2 of the Rugby Advertiser Cricket League.

With a balanced blend of youthful exuberance and experienced campaigners the squad have managed to gain promotion to Division 1 for next season – a feat that wasn’t exactly in the forefront of our minds before the season began, I don’t think!!!

From the ‘select’ squad of 18 players used, there have been flashes of brilliance, moments of sheer stupidity, and (dare I say it) – even the occasional “proper shot” (for which a fine would have been duly issued, I must add!!!)

The top of the order saw ‘solid’ and ‘steady’ performances from Pete Rigg and the Willow.  Big-Wal’s style and grace has been almost too painful to watch at times, we’ve seen a quick-fire cameo appearance from Thommo, and the occasional “token effort” by Skinners (who insisted number 4 would be his best position – the jury is most definitely still out on whether or not he has a good position!!!) Middle-order partnerships have flourished with the power hitting of Disco, HRH Charles William Turney (the 3^rd top scorer for the season with a highest of 79 and an average of nearly 30), and Andy Thorne (who proved there’s no boundary too big to be cleared). The middle-order has also been kept stable and ticking over with regular contributions from our captain Simon Rigg, our wicket-keeper Plummy, and our resident overseas player – Salim Alhabib (Pikey – who proved to know how to play far too many “proper shots” and was regularly fined for such outrageous behaviour!!!).  Ed Wallis and P-Diddy have also proved themselves worthy of the title of “proper batsmen” on occasion too… With batting like that in the top ¾ of the order, there has been no requirement for the tail-enders to contribute (thank god for that!!!)

Fielding has been “interesting” to say the least… (Rare) moments of brilliance, moments of indecision, and the occasional major howler have all contributed to a very enjoyable and memorable campaign. Plummy has performed admirably behind the sticks (good job really when you turn up with a “coffin” for your kit), and has been well supported by the rest of the team on most occasions. No names will be mentioned now, but suffice it to say there have been a few dropped catches too – some would have definitely made it onto a “Cricket Clangers” video… But for fielding memory of the season it must be the quick and “accurate” throwing of the Skin-Dog, whose eyesight allows him to pick out a worm from 20 yards – even when he’s aiming at the stumps!!!

The introduction of our “youth policy” to the bowling attack has often proven too much for the other sides in the division this season – along with useful contributions from some of the teams’ ‘all-rounders’. The brothers Rigg, Ted, Charlie T, Dave Wallis, Thommo, Scott Whyment and Skinners have all had the chance to turn their arms over at least once this season – some being more successful than others – but the vast majority of the wickets have been taken by our usual opening 4 bowlers, with great success. Jamie Brightwell, Thorney, Fozzy and Stish have taken 54 wickets between them this year, all with respectable figures to show for their efforts. Jamie’s pace and accuracy (11 wickets), Thorney’s extra height and bounce (18 wickets), supported well by Fozzy (14) and ‘the Turk’ (11) have done the trick this season and given the batsmen respectable totals to chase, or restricted the oppositions efforts’ at a run-chase. A 5-wicket haul for Thorney (5-12, including a hat-trick) has to be the highlight of the bowlers’ efforts.

Highest Number of Runs Scored – Charlie T – 207 in total, high score of 79

Highest Number of Wickets Taken – Thorney – 18 at an average of 6.6

Congratulations must go to captain Simon Rigg, and all those involved this year – let’s hope that the season goes as well for the club in general over the next few months. Good luck too to Thorney, who has been voted as next years’ “on the field” captain, with Simon keeping up the secretarial and administrative duties. Thanks to Thommo senior for preparing the pitch so well in order to provide the bowlers with the “assistance” they needed!!!