Saturday 1st XI 2013 Reports
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1s v High Halstow 3/8
Scorecard
Saturday the 3rd of August 2013 will be remembered in many years time as the day that Andy O'Rouke decided he was quite simply world class. As the thousands packed in to the home of cricket expecting a good 'days' cricket, even their wildest dreams would not have pictured them leaving the ground by half 3 due to one curly haired bloke from Australia.
After a solid warm up the troops were ready for the skipper to 'win toss and bat first' a plan that the whole of Stratford now knows....Aaron lost the toss and we were in the field, ever so slightly awkward. Not to worry Tim and Andy were as per usual given the new ball.
Things all started when C Dubz took a sharp catch over his head off Timmy 'tour sec' Smedley and the boys were feeling good although no one would have predicted what Roukey had in his sock drawer. I would love to go in to more detail about the wickets but they all fell so quickly. Standing at silly mid off I had a fantastic view of the caught behind the 2 LBW's and the 5 helpless batsman having their stumps spread left right and centre. Long story short Andy finished with silly figures of 10.4 overs 4 maidens 8 wickets for 5 runs!!! (how does that work? Ed) World class does not do it justice. Meanwhile Timmy picked up a second wicket, and the third bowling specialist and newest member of the bowling union Nick went wicketless in his 1 over spell despite 'charging in' for Katie
They were all out for 34 after 20.4 overs....yes all out for 34 after winning the toss and electing to bat....haha good one.
With teas not even on site yet we went straight out to bat needing 35 to win from 70 odd overs, so we were slightly favoured by the pundits.
It was all set up fantastically for the batsman, low total, plenty of time, glorious sunshine and fellow troops cheering on from the side line. Jake and Gary strode out to the middle looking confident. An over later Gary was on his way back to the pavilion for a quack and Rowan 'sock drawer' Clapp fell for a golden quack and we were soon 4 for 2. Not to worry Benjamin and Jake hit a few nice fours and along with some good running the game was over after 6 overs. Jake finishing 19 not out and Ben undefeated on 12. 20 points sewn up after 27 overs of cricket.
That's now 2 20 point victories on the bounce and our league position is finally doing us justice. Mood in the camp is fantastic, and we love cricket more than ever. Tanks to Wendy for scoring, Ben for umpiring and Grace for the teas. Roll on next week!! We are OD Cuaco and we love cricket.
Saturday the 3rd of August 2013 will be remembered in many years time as the day that Andy O'Rouke decided he was quite simply world class. As the thousands packed in to the home of cricket expecting a good 'days' cricket, even their wildest dreams would not have pictured them leaving the ground by half 3 due to one curly haired bloke from Australia.
After a solid warm up the troops were ready for the skipper to 'win toss and bat first' a plan that the whole of Stratford now knows....Aaron lost the toss and we were in the field, ever so slightly awkward. Not to worry Tim and Andy were as per usual given the new ball.
Things all started when C Dubz took a sharp catch over his head off Timmy 'tour sec' Smedley and the boys were feeling good although no one would have predicted what Roukey had in his sock drawer. I would love to go in to more detail about the wickets but they all fell so quickly. Standing at silly mid off I had a fantastic view of the caught behind the 2 LBW's and the 5 helpless batsman having their stumps spread left right and centre. Long story short Andy finished with silly figures of 10.4 overs 4 maidens 8 wickets for 5 runs!!! (how does that work? Ed) World class does not do it justice. Meanwhile Timmy picked up a second wicket, and the third bowling specialist and newest member of the bowling union Nick went wicketless in his 1 over spell despite 'charging in' for Katie
They were all out for 34 after 20.4 overs....yes all out for 34 after winning the toss and electing to bat....haha good one.
With teas not even on site yet we went straight out to bat needing 35 to win from 70 odd overs, so we were slightly favoured by the pundits.
It was all set up fantastically for the batsman, low total, plenty of time, glorious sunshine and fellow troops cheering on from the side line. Jake and Gary strode out to the middle looking confident. An over later Gary was on his way back to the pavilion for a quack and Rowan 'sock drawer' Clapp fell for a golden quack and we were soon 4 for 2. Not to worry Benjamin and Jake hit a few nice fours and along with some good running the game was over after 6 overs. Jake finishing 19 not out and Ben undefeated on 12. 20 points sewn up after 27 overs of cricket.
That's now 2 20 point victories on the bounce and our league position is finally doing us justice. Mood in the camp is fantastic, and we love cricket more than ever. Tanks to Wendy for scoring, Ben for umpiring and Grace for the teas. Roll on next week!! We are OD Cuaco and we love cricket.
1st XI at Rodmersham 22/6
Od Cuaco CC vs Rodmersham CC
Scorecard
It was do or die for Aaron and his fired up troops, as they went in to battle sitting 3rd bottom of the league knowing only one result was acceptable. With 11 players turning up early with their game faces on we looked battle ready and the oppo should have been frightened.
However during the warm up, Gary forgot that cricket balls were hard and decided stop on using his knee leading to all sorts of noises being made along with a few rolls across the outfield. However we would not let this get in the way of our plans.
After winning the toss and deciding to bowl Andy O'Rouke and Tim were once again given the new ball duties. This time they did not disappoint. Andy after practicing bowling a slightly fuller length looked a completely different weapon in the armoury. He was simply a class above the rest. First over he found the edge of the openers bat and it flew in to the safe hands of the skipper at second slip. Two overs later he once again found the edge, this time the ball flying to the even safer hands of Nick at first slip. Andy was fired up and bowled 2 more of the helpless opposition batsmen out for ducks and they soon found themselves 7 for 5. This is a start that even the most optimistic out there could not have dreamt of.
Tim was quietly bowling a very handy spell, with good lines and lengths just adding to the pressure Andy was creating from the other end. Soon his efforts were rewarded with the 'injured' Gary taking a world class catch behind the stumps to leave them 25 for 6. Andy was not happy losing the lime light and decided to pick up yet another 3 wickets leaving them 63 for 9. Jake came on and cleaned up the tail and they were all out for just 71 after 28 overs.
This was no coincidence. We were fantastic in the field with just one catch being dropped, (sorry skip) by far the best fielding performance of the season. In addition to this Andy bowled one of the most devastating spells of new ball bowling ever in the history of cricket. Finishing with figures of 14-5-31-8. More of the same next week please mate!
It was no surprise that the troops were buoyant during the lunch break knowing that unless we did something unbelievably poor we were going to achieve our first victory of the season.
Gary and Jake were sent out to finish the demolition job and face the new ball. Jake decided were not allowed to get to comfortable being bowled in the second over. Never fear cricket lover Nick having being promoted to the number 3 spot strode out to the middle with confidence. However as per usual Nick displayed his familiar ability to forget how to hit the ball for the first 25 mins of his innings. This was no issue with the old timer using all his experience (lots and lots of years) to guide us slowly towards our target. He was soon dismissed for a well worked 17.
This left Nick, who had remembered how to bat and Pete to polish off the job. Nick played a few world class strokes that many at club have begun to expect from a player of his class. (world class) However with the game all but over Nick decided to smash one on to his right knee leading to pain he has never felt before, and suddenly felt far more sorry for Gary. However after glancing up at his concerned team mates on the side he knew now was no time to lose his game face. A battle wounded Nick barley able to stand fought through to the end along with Pete to compete the 8 wicket victory!! It was over we had emerged victorious, and despite a few career threatening knocks to the knee the wounded had emerged victorious!!
A day enjoyed by all, that winning feeling had returned to camp Cuaco. We stride on to next week with the unlucky Offham our opponents. A massive game to be played out in front of thousands at the home of cricket. We are OD Cuaco and we love cricket!!
Scorecard
It was do or die for Aaron and his fired up troops, as they went in to battle sitting 3rd bottom of the league knowing only one result was acceptable. With 11 players turning up early with their game faces on we looked battle ready and the oppo should have been frightened.
However during the warm up, Gary forgot that cricket balls were hard and decided stop on using his knee leading to all sorts of noises being made along with a few rolls across the outfield. However we would not let this get in the way of our plans.
After winning the toss and deciding to bowl Andy O'Rouke and Tim were once again given the new ball duties. This time they did not disappoint. Andy after practicing bowling a slightly fuller length looked a completely different weapon in the armoury. He was simply a class above the rest. First over he found the edge of the openers bat and it flew in to the safe hands of the skipper at second slip. Two overs later he once again found the edge, this time the ball flying to the even safer hands of Nick at first slip. Andy was fired up and bowled 2 more of the helpless opposition batsmen out for ducks and they soon found themselves 7 for 5. This is a start that even the most optimistic out there could not have dreamt of.
Tim was quietly bowling a very handy spell, with good lines and lengths just adding to the pressure Andy was creating from the other end. Soon his efforts were rewarded with the 'injured' Gary taking a world class catch behind the stumps to leave them 25 for 6. Andy was not happy losing the lime light and decided to pick up yet another 3 wickets leaving them 63 for 9. Jake came on and cleaned up the tail and they were all out for just 71 after 28 overs.
This was no coincidence. We were fantastic in the field with just one catch being dropped, (sorry skip) by far the best fielding performance of the season. In addition to this Andy bowled one of the most devastating spells of new ball bowling ever in the history of cricket. Finishing with figures of 14-5-31-8. More of the same next week please mate!
It was no surprise that the troops were buoyant during the lunch break knowing that unless we did something unbelievably poor we were going to achieve our first victory of the season.
Gary and Jake were sent out to finish the demolition job and face the new ball. Jake decided were not allowed to get to comfortable being bowled in the second over. Never fear cricket lover Nick having being promoted to the number 3 spot strode out to the middle with confidence. However as per usual Nick displayed his familiar ability to forget how to hit the ball for the first 25 mins of his innings. This was no issue with the old timer using all his experience (lots and lots of years) to guide us slowly towards our target. He was soon dismissed for a well worked 17.
This left Nick, who had remembered how to bat and Pete to polish off the job. Nick played a few world class strokes that many at club have begun to expect from a player of his class. (world class) However with the game all but over Nick decided to smash one on to his right knee leading to pain he has never felt before, and suddenly felt far more sorry for Gary. However after glancing up at his concerned team mates on the side he knew now was no time to lose his game face. A battle wounded Nick barley able to stand fought through to the end along with Pete to compete the 8 wicket victory!! It was over we had emerged victorious, and despite a few career threatening knocks to the knee the wounded had emerged victorious!!
A day enjoyed by all, that winning feeling had returned to camp Cuaco. We stride on to next week with the unlucky Offham our opponents. A massive game to be played out in front of thousands at the home of cricket. We are OD Cuaco and we love cricket!!
Home to Minster 8/6
Scorecard
After a turbulent week which saw genuine all rounder Andrew Ainger take a tumble walking down his stairs meaning he was forced out with an ankle injury, skip was back to lead the troops in an important encounter at the home of cricket.
After winning the toss we looked to score maximum points and we chose to bat. With inform batsman Gary missing, Pete and Jake were new opening pair looking to lay the foundations. However this was not what ensued as we slumped to our lowest score of the season. Pete scored 6 before he was dismissed LBW. Jake was going along very nicely and the decision to move him to the top of the order looked like a stroke of genius making a quick fire 24 before being bowled. This bought skip to the crease alongside Tom, and after a near run out Tom was dismissed and Aaron soon followed for scores of 5 and 4 respectively. This meant that Ben Webster was thrown in to the deep end after returning from uni to join last week's hero Worsley at the crease in what needed to be a major partnership.
In the overs leading to drinks the pair were going along very nicely defending the good balls and effectively dispatching lose deliveries to the boundaries. At drinks we were 77 for 4, so we were scoring quickly enough but had lost too many wickets. 2 overs later Worsley smashed a long hop straight to backward square leg and this started yet another lower order collapse. Ben copied Nick and hit a loose delivery to a fielder, and soon after Andy, Dave and Liam were back in the pavilion, meaning Tim and Simon were left to do the batsman's job and score some runs. Simon got a useful 16* showing the batsman how it's done and along with Tim who stuck around for a while got us up to total that wasn't too embarrassing. Od Cuaco all out for 121 off 47.5 overs.
After another cracking tea we were out in the field and it didn't take a genius to work out that everything had to be perfect with the ball and in the field for us to have any chance of winning.
On the 11th ball of the innings Nick dropped a dolly of the bowling of Bullock and after that heads dropped and it was all one way traffic. One of their openers decided to take the game in to his own hands smashing all bowlers to all parts of the ground, punishing anything that was either too short or slightly over pitched. He ended 73* and along with the number 3 who got a streaky 35* the game was won after just 17.2 overs and we had manage to achieve the impossible and collect a grand total of 0 points from the game.
This was hardly surprising when just 3 batsman reached double figures, one of which was number 11, as well as this not enough 'good' deliveries were bowled and the fielding was poor throughout. Many lessons need to be learned quickly as we currently sit one place above the bottom 2. Batsman need to value their wicket and far more fight needs to be shown with ball in hand and in the field.
A good turnout is out expected at training this week as things need to change quickly. We are OD Cuaco and we love cricket!!
After a turbulent week which saw genuine all rounder Andrew Ainger take a tumble walking down his stairs meaning he was forced out with an ankle injury, skip was back to lead the troops in an important encounter at the home of cricket.
After winning the toss we looked to score maximum points and we chose to bat. With inform batsman Gary missing, Pete and Jake were new opening pair looking to lay the foundations. However this was not what ensued as we slumped to our lowest score of the season. Pete scored 6 before he was dismissed LBW. Jake was going along very nicely and the decision to move him to the top of the order looked like a stroke of genius making a quick fire 24 before being bowled. This bought skip to the crease alongside Tom, and after a near run out Tom was dismissed and Aaron soon followed for scores of 5 and 4 respectively. This meant that Ben Webster was thrown in to the deep end after returning from uni to join last week's hero Worsley at the crease in what needed to be a major partnership.
In the overs leading to drinks the pair were going along very nicely defending the good balls and effectively dispatching lose deliveries to the boundaries. At drinks we were 77 for 4, so we were scoring quickly enough but had lost too many wickets. 2 overs later Worsley smashed a long hop straight to backward square leg and this started yet another lower order collapse. Ben copied Nick and hit a loose delivery to a fielder, and soon after Andy, Dave and Liam were back in the pavilion, meaning Tim and Simon were left to do the batsman's job and score some runs. Simon got a useful 16* showing the batsman how it's done and along with Tim who stuck around for a while got us up to total that wasn't too embarrassing. Od Cuaco all out for 121 off 47.5 overs.
After another cracking tea we were out in the field and it didn't take a genius to work out that everything had to be perfect with the ball and in the field for us to have any chance of winning.
On the 11th ball of the innings Nick dropped a dolly of the bowling of Bullock and after that heads dropped and it was all one way traffic. One of their openers decided to take the game in to his own hands smashing all bowlers to all parts of the ground, punishing anything that was either too short or slightly over pitched. He ended 73* and along with the number 3 who got a streaky 35* the game was won after just 17.2 overs and we had manage to achieve the impossible and collect a grand total of 0 points from the game.
This was hardly surprising when just 3 batsman reached double figures, one of which was number 11, as well as this not enough 'good' deliveries were bowled and the fielding was poor throughout. Many lessons need to be learned quickly as we currently sit one place above the bottom 2. Batsman need to value their wicket and far more fight needs to be shown with ball in hand and in the field.
A good turnout is out expected at training this week as things need to change quickly. We are OD Cuaco and we love cricket!!
High Halstow away 1/6
scorecard
Title : A view of the day
With Aaron visiting his new niece in New York, the reins were handed over to supply skipper Worsley (#MrCricket) to run the class. Here is his school
report
Attendance Record : D
Could do better - The main criteria for a cricket team is 11 cricketers or even just 11 people would be good. Nicholas has to learn that 'assuming'
that everyone has a car and will arrive at the ground in good time is dangerous. Leaving someone stranded in Beckenham without a lift is not good. As Nicholas develops I'm sure he will understand this basic concept.
Attitude : B
After a faltering start Nicholas has shown a positive attitude in general. He had to win back the trust of the other 9 (soon to be 10) but after that
he showed a great deal of maturity.
Application : A
Nicholas had a good day. He soon mastered all the techniques required to succeed. (Apart from the obvious mentioned above)
Homework : B
Nicholas has delivered good work so far although some of his homework is lacking 1 or 2 key things at times.
Appearance : A-
Nicholas always looks well turned out finely groomed. It's the appearance (or not) of the other 10 that remains a problem.
Summary
After everyone had arrived the serious stuff took over. The pitch looked a little uneven with a little too much grass and moss for some of the chaps.
We got put in after a toss loss. Williamson and Churcher strode to the wicket with clear instructions from
the focused skip. 75-1 at drinks was just what the skipper had ordered.
Then followed an assault of the High Halstow bowling that probably should have been report to the local constabulary. It was vicious. The main offender was the skipper himself. Despatching the ball to all parts. An excellent and some said world class 83 from the skip Worsley solidly supported by White (49), Webster (15), Ainger (19) built on the good work from the 2 openers, Williamson and Churcher (34 each). Even Diesel was going bonkers. 268-7. Nice !!
Tea was taken with pats on the back all round.
As it turned out the pitch was good and true. We struggled to get any meaningful breakthrough. Try as he might with juggling his bowlers the skip couldn't produce a miracle. Aggressive stuff from O'Rourke, steady nagging from Jake C, the skiddy fizz from the C Webbs and the turn and bounce from Ainger couldn't produce the wickets the skipper craved. 167-5 from their 50 wasn't a great chase, but what can you do.
Great batting performance just needed to add 10% and a bit of luck to the bowling. Onwards and upwards.
Every one managed to get a lift home !!!
Title : A view of the day
With Aaron visiting his new niece in New York, the reins were handed over to supply skipper Worsley (#MrCricket) to run the class. Here is his school
report
Attendance Record : D
Could do better - The main criteria for a cricket team is 11 cricketers or even just 11 people would be good. Nicholas has to learn that 'assuming'
that everyone has a car and will arrive at the ground in good time is dangerous. Leaving someone stranded in Beckenham without a lift is not good. As Nicholas develops I'm sure he will understand this basic concept.
Attitude : B
After a faltering start Nicholas has shown a positive attitude in general. He had to win back the trust of the other 9 (soon to be 10) but after that
he showed a great deal of maturity.
Application : A
Nicholas had a good day. He soon mastered all the techniques required to succeed. (Apart from the obvious mentioned above)
Homework : B
Nicholas has delivered good work so far although some of his homework is lacking 1 or 2 key things at times.
Appearance : A-
Nicholas always looks well turned out finely groomed. It's the appearance (or not) of the other 10 that remains a problem.
Summary
After everyone had arrived the serious stuff took over. The pitch looked a little uneven with a little too much grass and moss for some of the chaps.
We got put in after a toss loss. Williamson and Churcher strode to the wicket with clear instructions from
the focused skip. 75-1 at drinks was just what the skipper had ordered.
Then followed an assault of the High Halstow bowling that probably should have been report to the local constabulary. It was vicious. The main offender was the skipper himself. Despatching the ball to all parts. An excellent and some said world class 83 from the skip Worsley solidly supported by White (49), Webster (15), Ainger (19) built on the good work from the 2 openers, Williamson and Churcher (34 each). Even Diesel was going bonkers. 268-7. Nice !!
Tea was taken with pats on the back all round.
As it turned out the pitch was good and true. We struggled to get any meaningful breakthrough. Try as he might with juggling his bowlers the skip couldn't produce a miracle. Aggressive stuff from O'Rourke, steady nagging from Jake C, the skiddy fizz from the C Webbs and the turn and bounce from Ainger couldn't produce the wickets the skipper craved. 167-5 from their 50 wasn't a great chase, but what can you do.
Great batting performance just needed to add 10% and a bit of luck to the bowling. Onwards and upwards.
Every one managed to get a lift home !!!
Home to Sidcup 18/5
Scorecard
In the late 1600's whilst sitting under a tree, an apple fell on the famous scientist Sir Issac Newton's head. From this he discovered a revelation that has stuck with us for hundreds of years since. Yes, he discovered that catches win matches!
It was a blossoming day in Bromley and Sidcup were in town. Aaron and his troops were looking to get a victory to make up for the disappointing draw we got last week. We lost the toss and we were in the field, an outcome we were more than happy with.
Once again Andy and Smedders took the new ball, and they were going along very nicely until we got a stroke of luck when one of their openers pulled his hamstring attempting to save himself from a run out. We used this to our advantage and the runs soon dried up and Andy picked up a couple of well deserved wickets. Simon and Worsley were then bowling in a nice partnership keeping the runs down and collecting a few wickets. Worsley picking up one wicket, thanks to some good work behind the stumps from the old timer and Simon picking up two due to some good bowling.
All was looking very good until, two of their batsman got settled and put on a cracking partnership. One scoring a very well deserved 74 and the other 49 not out. However during this spell it is fair to say that we were not at our best in the field. Sloppy mistakes and dropped catches cost us runs and gave them some momentum. Jake and Andy both picked up late wickets, which were deserved and they finished 193 for 7 from their 50 a total that put the game nicely in the balance.
The old timer and Dave went out to face the new ball. Dave picked up a streaky boundary before being dismissed, and Gary looked to have continued his good form until being dismissed for 11. This bought Pete and Aaron to the crease, both due to make some runs. They put on a very tidy partnership, before Aaron went for one shot to many and was very well caught in the covers for a well worked 20. Pete and Churcher, continued to put us in a very strong position with a very good partnership. Everything was going very well and the game was ours to lose. A mix up allowed the oppo to run Churcher out and after that moment, the less said about our batting the better.
They brought a leg spinner on and suddenly the runs dried up and the wickets began to tumble. Pete was dismissed for a very good 48, Worsley, and Ainger didn't trouble the score board, Andy and Simon got 1 and Jake was stuck 12 not out. A disastrous middle order collapse that cost us the game.
Despite the loss, there are many positives to be taken from the game. For 75 overs we were the better side and we have a lot more to give. I expect most people to attend training on Wednesday for some serious catching practice!! (especially you Simon) We have a solid outfit this year and there is no doubt that we will bounce back next week. We are Od Cuaco and we love cricket!
In the late 1600's whilst sitting under a tree, an apple fell on the famous scientist Sir Issac Newton's head. From this he discovered a revelation that has stuck with us for hundreds of years since. Yes, he discovered that catches win matches!
It was a blossoming day in Bromley and Sidcup were in town. Aaron and his troops were looking to get a victory to make up for the disappointing draw we got last week. We lost the toss and we were in the field, an outcome we were more than happy with.
Once again Andy and Smedders took the new ball, and they were going along very nicely until we got a stroke of luck when one of their openers pulled his hamstring attempting to save himself from a run out. We used this to our advantage and the runs soon dried up and Andy picked up a couple of well deserved wickets. Simon and Worsley were then bowling in a nice partnership keeping the runs down and collecting a few wickets. Worsley picking up one wicket, thanks to some good work behind the stumps from the old timer and Simon picking up two due to some good bowling.
All was looking very good until, two of their batsman got settled and put on a cracking partnership. One scoring a very well deserved 74 and the other 49 not out. However during this spell it is fair to say that we were not at our best in the field. Sloppy mistakes and dropped catches cost us runs and gave them some momentum. Jake and Andy both picked up late wickets, which were deserved and they finished 193 for 7 from their 50 a total that put the game nicely in the balance.
The old timer and Dave went out to face the new ball. Dave picked up a streaky boundary before being dismissed, and Gary looked to have continued his good form until being dismissed for 11. This bought Pete and Aaron to the crease, both due to make some runs. They put on a very tidy partnership, before Aaron went for one shot to many and was very well caught in the covers for a well worked 20. Pete and Churcher, continued to put us in a very strong position with a very good partnership. Everything was going very well and the game was ours to lose. A mix up allowed the oppo to run Churcher out and after that moment, the less said about our batting the better.
They brought a leg spinner on and suddenly the runs dried up and the wickets began to tumble. Pete was dismissed for a very good 48, Worsley, and Ainger didn't trouble the score board, Andy and Simon got 1 and Jake was stuck 12 not out. A disastrous middle order collapse that cost us the game.
Despite the loss, there are many positives to be taken from the game. For 75 overs we were the better side and we have a lot more to give. I expect most people to attend training on Wednesday for some serious catching practice!! (especially you Simon) We have a solid outfit this year and there is no doubt that we will bounce back next week. We are Od Cuaco and we love cricket!
Downham & Bellingham away 11th May
Scorecard
It was cold, raining and windy; it could only mean one thing. The cricket season was upon us. After a depressing few months with no cricket, the sport we all live for was back, and Aaron was back to lead his formidable troops in the dizzy heights of div 4!
After losing the toss, Gary (the old timer) and Joe were striding out to the middle looking to form a platform for the rest of the team. After a very solid start interrupted by rain, Joe and Gary put on 47 for the first wicket before Rispo fell LBW for a well-earned 23. Pete (Mr Cricket) White joined the old timer at the crease who was now timing the ball beautifully, showing all his experience waiting for the bad ball an dispatching it to all parts of Downham. Pete and Tom both made starts before being dismissed for 8 and 12 respectively. But not to worry as the skipper strode with his newly refurbished bat looking to do some serious damage, to join the old timer who was well past 50 by this stage and was looking good to make a serious score. Two balls later the skip was plodding back to the changing room having not troubled the scorers. (Sorry skip) The genuine all-rounders of Worsley and Ainger were due in next so there was nothing to fear. The old timer bought up a fantastic ton, showing the thousands of cricket lovers in the Downham region the art of batting. A quick 15 from both the all-rounder’s meant that after 50 overs we finished 206 for 5 with the old timer making a cracking 118 not out. A knock that others will struggle to better throughout the course of the season. Well played Gaz…proud of you bud.
After a tasty tea and an emotional team talk from the skip the troops entered the field fired up knowing we were not going to have the luxury of bowling the full 50 overs at the oppo due to rain and light problems.
With Gaz deciding that his job was done for the day he departed after 4 overs in the field for what must have been an unbelievably important reason. The new overseas acquisition: Andy the Aussie was given the honour of bowling the first over of the season. Needless to say he did not disappoint. Charging in due to his love for cricket, some serious deliveries were firing down towards the batsman. With pace and bounce that would trouble the best batsman in the world Andy picked up 5 wickets in his 15 overs (all bowled) The rest of the bowling attacked plugged away but struggled to take wickets as the oppo decided to drop anchor and defend everything. Simon picked up the only other wicket we got with a beautiful out swinging delivery to the left hander that clipped the top of off. As the light faded only 44 overs were bowled and they were 127 for 6, with one of their batsman lasting the full 44 overs for a chanceless 58 not out. (That ‘drop’ by Worsley was not a drop)
Overall it was a very encouraging start to the season, completely outplaying the oppo in all three aspects of the game. If we are able to play like that every week there is no reason why we can’t make a serious impact on the league. So rest up fellas, first home game of the season this weekend, let’s get a win! We are Od Cuaco CC and we love cricket!!