2011 Final Table and Results
Match Reports - 2nd XI 2011
Home to Downham & Bellingham Saturday 13th August
Downham and Bellingham: 140 (all out, 45.1 overs)
OD Cuaco: 69 (all out, 42.3 overs)
On a sunny afternoon in Beckenham, there was a dark cloud over the second eleven knowing that from this point to the end of the season only wins would give us a realistic opportunity of narrowly avoiding relegation for a second year running. Having won the toss, Downham and Bellingham elected to bat first on what appeared to be a relatively dry and flat pitch.
Despite being put in the field, ODs began well with both Sam Carp and Cameron Sanders bowling economical opening spells. Although wickets were hard to come by early on, there was enough in the pitch for the bowlers to get excited about, while Bellingham boundaries were a few and far between. The opening batsman was removed in a somewhat unorthodox manner, as he was forced to retire hurt after a delivery from the colonel flicked off the pad to strike the opener in the eye. The momentum then shifted towards ODs, as Cameron took three quick wickets leaving the visitors struggling on 24-3.
Bellingham set about rebuilding after their early innings collapse, and while their number four batsman played very sensibly to reach a half century, the story might have been different had we held on to a catch when he was on just fourteen. Chris ‘plus 10 points’ Webster impressed with the ball and was unlucky not to pick up a couple of wickets in his first spell, while I think I saw a rare smile creep onto (very) late call up Andrew Ainger’s face after he took two wickets in a very tidy spell.
After the Bellingham number six had somehow slogged his way to 31, Sam came back to remove him in his second spell. The tail soon followed, with Chris picking up a well deserved wicket, while Cameron came back to get the two wickets he needed to complete a well earned five wicket haul, aided by an excellent catch by Lakey on the boundary.
With the opposition bowled out for 140, there was cautious optimism at tea that with a strong batting line up we could chase down the total to get the vital win we were desperate for... What followed was a batting collapse you would have associated with the Indian cricket team this summer.
After a slow start due to some tight bowling from the oppo, Pingu Rispoli was first to depart as his off drive failed to clear the man at mid-off. Foxy soon followed – ironically caught at slip by an ex-Charlton favourite of his. Despite the early loss of our two openers, we were still confident that with Tom Churcher and John McLaughlin at the crease we would be able to build our way towards the run target.
Churcher stuck around frustrating the Bellingham bowling attack in the process, but after seeing John, Chris and Nick Gobel all depart for ducks, he decided he was ‘bored’ (his words not mine!) and was bowled trying to pull a full delivery. The skipper went some way to rebuilding the innings, but wickets fell at regular intervals, and the departures of Russell and Lakey left us toiling on 32-8.
This brought Ainger and Sanders to the crease, both of whom had already seen success in the field and begun to show that the pitch was in fact playable. With these two at the crease looking comfortable, there was an outside chance that we might creep our way towards some batting points or a miraculous victory. However, after putting on a partnership of just over thirty, Ainger was dismissed LBW for twelve meaning the short spell of resistance was all but over. Sam was unable to give sufficient support to Cameron and was stumped attempting to dispatch the ex-Charlton defender to cow corner – not a proud way for a Palace fan to be dismissed – meaning we were bowled out for just 69.
Credit goes to the Downham and Bellingham bowlers who put the ball in the right areas and, aided by the pitch in some cases, were able to take wickets at regular intervals. A disappointing batting performance let us down, but hopefully we can go some way to putting that right against High Halstow on Saturday. Special mention to Cameron Sanders who picked up his first five wicket haul and top scored with 25 not out.
At Sidcup Saturday 6th August
On a cloudy damp day, with both teams desperate for wins, although at opposite ends of the table, it was decided to get going, despite the looming rain, as soon as possible. With no umpire, Sidcup forfeit the toss and OD's chose to field.
The fired up OD CUACO side didn't have to wait long for a breakthrough, when a ball from Henley sat up a little and the Sidcup no 1 dollied up a catch to Gobel at cover. The intention from Sidcup was clear early on, as they were swinging at almost everything. Good bowling, though, meant that they struggled to get going too quickly. The balls that were hit, tended to find the boundary so the score carried on accumulating.
A change in bowling saw the old guard of Minette and Henley replaced by the youth movement of Sanders and Webster, and Chris soon did for the other opening bat with a sharp catch by Newell standing up. Cameron got in on the wickets shortly after, again caught by Russell behind the stumps. A passionate post-tour Lakey replaced Webster after a good 6 overs, and quickly picked up an LBW. Unfortunately Lakey struggled with the moist ball and had to be replaced mid over after bowling 2 head height beamers. This brought back the Wardrobe for his 2nd spell. At the other end Ainger had replaced Sanders, but took a bit of tap from the ever swinging batsmen.
Henley took the next 3 wickets, including the 3 bat who had quietly (and luckily) crept to 70 until he edged to Newell diving 1 handed in front of 1st slip. Dave Minette came back for a 2nd spell, but was unlucky not to get any after seeing at least 1 catch go down. The youth initiative were back to close the innings out, and both got wickets to reduce the hosts to 234 for 9.
Not a terrible pitch, and definitely some runs in it, so every chance of a win.
Fox and Rispoli started things off for us and set a solid platform, until Pingu was disappointed to go LBW for 20. The next 2 bats went for naught, and those “still to bat” went searching for hats as it was reported that the sun was causing issues from the bottom end.
Ainger went in at 5 to accompany Fox, and looked to be settling in before a corker yorker had him bowled. This sent in Webster, complete with helmet and sunglasses. Chris looked very comfortable playing a lovely range of shots, which seemed to invigorate Foxy at the other end until he tried to go over the top and top edged to cover just short of his 50.
Webster followed Fox, chipping the ball tamely to square leg. Lake followed for 5 before Sanders was very LBW for 5 also. There was hope for Minette to produce one of his big innings, and he soon spread the field, but he fell too trying to replicate the Bob Lake square cut and was caught behind.
With the skipper still in from 7, and Henley at 11, batting points were the target. With 2 more points gained, and Sidcup fearing they might be denied a victory, Henley took the ball straight on the toe to leave us 2 balls short of another draw.
Russell managed a very controlled 22 to give his average a nice late season boost.
At Addington Village Saturday 23 July
After arriving in plenty of time the team gathered to inspect the pitch, only to be told off by the grumpy groundsman. Not having an Umpire, we forfeit the toss and were put in the field. Showing some keenness the team all gathered for a warm up, cue grumpy groundsman moment number 2.
Nick Worsley opened the bowling down the hill getting some good shape straight away. Simon Henley started up the hill showing renewed vigor and some extra pace. Both bowlers had the batsmen in trouble from the off, finding the edge only to see the ball going over, wide of, short of and through the slips. The team were also unlucky with a couple of run out attempts after some good throws from the deep.
Eventually Worzel got the breakthrough, cleanly bowling the young opener. The other opener went a short time later courtesy of Wardrobe, getting caught behind by Russell. the Addington skipper quickly followed his openers after gloving the ball onto his stumps.
Dave Minnette replaced Nick from the top end to start a very tidy spell of 15 overs, going for just 32 runs. Cameron Sanders replaced Simon from the bottom end for his 7 overs, and, after being convinced to bowl over the wicket, went for a meagre 6 runs. Standard stuff from the Colonel this season. while OD's were changing their bowlers, Addington started trying to rebuild their innings. this was short lived due to a fine throw from the boundary by Nick Gobel, and a sharp piece of glove work by the skipper, which saw the number 5 bat heading back to the club house run out. Cameron got rid of the dangerous Aussie, caught behind by the skipper. Dave then got his 1 wicket with a plumb LBW.
Addington started inning rebuild number 2 with batsmen 7 & 8. They didn't possess the greatest range of cricket shots, but stuck around waiting for the bad balls. Unfortunately for Andrew Ainger, he started his short bowling spell just as these 2 had got their eye in. Danger took a bit of a beating for 3 overs before being replaced by Henley for his 2nd spell. The Unit managed to beat the edge a few times, but couldn't quite hit the stumps. Nick came back at the top end to finish off, and managed to get the Addington tennis pro to loop one up to Gobel. This was the last of the Addington wickets to fall, despite some interesting shot choices by their number 9 bat.
Following the usual fine Addington tea, David Fox and Richard "no runs to me in the field" Learmouth opened the ODCUACO innings. And it started well with 5 runs off the first over, despite the umpire turning down a leg bye for no shot offered (Rich did explain "that was a shot, it's not my fault i couldn't hit it!"). unfortunately Rich wasn't able to trouble the scorers much longer after the bowler pitched up a straight one. This brought Nick Worsley to the crease to start a long and testing innings. He and Foxy scratched around waiting for something to hit until drinks. With over a hundred to get, but wickets in hand, the skipper was still confident that we could take the win as long as we got into the 40's by the 30th over. Shortly after drinks Foxy fell victim to the umpires finger yet again LBW, and he was followed 2 balls later by Tom Churcher who had one come back in and keep low to leave him LBW also.
Hopes of a big score from Hayden possibly didn't help him settle, and he struggled to score. A double change of bowling didn't help either, as they kept it quite tight still. Hayden and Nick did put on 30 runs though before H was bowled by the 1st change bowler from the top end. Danger Ainger then came to the crease with a borrowed bat, having left his at home that day. Andrew failed to settle, looking unusually uncomfortable at the crease, and Nick, who had played himself into a bit of form by now, also started to look frustrated by the bowling. Another change in the bowling did for Danger, after crashing the 1st ball for 4 he was clean bowled by the 2nd ball.
Dave Minette was the new batsman for OD's, and brought with him calmness and experience, just what was required. oh, and superb big hitting! First on Dave's agenda was stopping the verbal diarrhea of the oppo's wicket keeper. He then set about helping get OD's into a winning position, which included 16 runs off of the Addington skippers 1 over. He and Nick rotated the strike nicely, with Nick finding the middle of the bat again.
When Dave finally holed out, OD's needed 12 off of 8 balls. Addington had 5 fielders in the deep, which meant plenty of chances for singles and hopes of the odd boundary. Some fine running by both Nicks (Worsley had now been joined by Gobel) put pressure on the fielders, and a 4 put us in touching distance.
But alas it wasn't to be, and a tie was the best we could manage. Better than a loss, but still not the points we need to get out of the bottom 2. A fine 56 not out by Nick Worsley, and 38 by Dave Minette were the batting highlights.
Only wins will do from this point onward.
At Ashford Saturday 2nd July
After finally locating Stacians Park amongst the many country roads outside Ashford, ODs put the home side into bat understanding the importance of winning this crucial relegation battle. Simon Hunter swung the ball early on and soon took a wicket but some slightly wayward bowling and disappointing fielding (most notably a poor drop at mid on by your correspondent) let Ashford race up to 78-1 at 5 an over. Simon Henley began to exert some control with Cameron Sanders who took a key wicket, holding on to a swirling catch off his own bowling. Another partnership developed in spite of Simon’s persistence during a 15 over spell and prodigious turn from Andrew Ainger. Eventually, their opener could run no more quick singles and sent back his partner to reduce Ashford to 146-3. Simon picked up a deserved wicket and Simon Hunter and Dan returned to bowl good spells (picking up 2 wickets apiece overall) at the death. Ashford’s middle order was not the strongest and they limped to a competitive 207-7 on a slow and low wicket
Following 3 consecutive collapses, David Fox set about building a platform and played exceptionally well in making 63 in a century opening partnership from 33 overs with Laurence Sanders. Unfortunately, he was yorked attempting to up the ante and was soon followed by Hayden Wisnewski who tried to pull the offspinner and was plumb lbw. ODs now needed a run a ball for 17 overs but Steve Smith drove imperiously through the offside in an invaluable 30 whilst Laurence finally locate the middle of the bat and began to move things along. Steve’s departure led to a mini collapse and we required 33 from 36 deliveries with 5 wickets standing as Andrew ‘Torres’ Ainger strode to the middle. Cometh the moment, cometh the man! He smashed 28* from 15 balls in an arc between cow corner and long on to crush what remained of Ashford’s spirit. This was our best batting performance of the season and shows what can be done with a good start. With several players returning, we have every chance of finishing the season strongly.
Home to Gravesend Saturday 25th June
ODs bowled first against Gravesend 2s and Simon Henley had a wicket in the first over when Joe Rispoli clung on well in the gully. Although the pitch offered some assistance, the bowlers struggled to find their rhythm early on until John McLaughlin picked up a slightly fortuitous wicket when the opener defended the ball into the ground and was bowled. A partnership followed until Andrew Ainger and Cameron Sanders, who both bowled fairly well, exerted some pressure and took 3 quick wickets between them to reduce Gravesend to 160-5. Unfortunately, the excellent no.3 continued to play strongly through the offside and began to take the game away from us before he was eventually bowled by Dan Smedley who produced a very useful second spell and finished with 5-58 as Gravesend were bowled out in 48 overs for 263.
ODs made a disastrous start to their innings as Laurence Sanders and Steve Smith both played poor shots early on and were bowled. Being recorded for his A level, Andrew made 0 and Joe Rispoli was adjudged lbw in the same over, also without score. William Sanders nearly launched his first ball for 6 but was soon run out from short leg after forgetting to get back into his crease. When Hayden Wisnewski was caught at cover, we were abysmally placed at 22-6. Russell followed soon after before Cameron and John put together a decent partnership – the highlight of which was a fantastic straight 6 from John. Unfortunately, he had a big slash and edged to slip for 31. Dan joined Cameron and played well until he ran himself out for 10. Simon Henley had managed to hit a lusty blow for a maximum when Cameron, back in his preferred position down the order, chipped up a catch as we were bowled out for 120 in 45 overs.
Overall, this was a disappointing performance, with poor batting, unusually inaccurate bowling and a lacklustre fielding effort. We play the similarly placed Ashford on Saturday and we hope to improve.
High Halstow away Saturday 18th June
With the prospect of uncertain weather and a two-paced greentop, High Halstow inserted ODs and reduced us to 6-4 after David Fox was lbw, Tom Churcher and Laurence Sanders were bowled and Cameron Sanders lobbed one up in the air. High Halstow made good use of the pitch, with a couple of accurate slow seamers accompanying a rather sharp chap who charged down the hill with the wind behind him and proceeded to spray it everywhere. William Sanders and Dan Thorne began a recovery until Dan dragged one on before the first downpour. Upon the restart, William was bowled through the gate and Dan Smedley was plumb lbw, leaving ODs precariously positioned at 41-7. Russell and Naseri put together a good partnership until the skipper was also leg before. Naseri then chanced his arm, striking some good blows before Colin Cook and Simon Henley were finally out resulting in a final total of 90.
Naseri caused problems for the High Halstow bowlers immediately with a tough chance going down in the slips and numerous airy wafts failing to produce an edge. Simon Henley kept things tight at the other end before getting a deserved wicket courtesy of a catch by Tom at extra cover when the score was 28. The number 3 consistently played and missed before Naseri removed the other opener lbw with 30 required. Unfortunately, the luck continued to run against us and the total was overhauled in the 34th over with no further loss. Cameron, Colin and Dan Smedley bowled encouragingly at the end but Naseri was the star of the show with a wonderful marathon spell of 15-2-37-1 in which his figures were horribly skewed by edges to 3rd man and fine leg. Again the fielding and bowling was impressive but we need to start scoring in excess of 150 regularly.
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Downham & Bellingham away Saturday 11th June
ODs were asked to bat in sunny conditions at the delightful Bellingham ground. The ball swung prodigiously on a painfully slow pitch and Richard Learmouth, Alex Lake and Cameron Sanders all departed swiftly. Russell Newell hit a couple of boundaries but when he was well caught at mid-on, we were in a spot of bother at 19-4 after 12 overs. John McLaughlin and David Caddy both hung around but after they were dismissed, David Fox dragged one on to leave ODs at 60-7 from 35. Naseri added some momentum with a couple of inside-out sixes over square cover into the river on his way to an invaluable 24. He and Simon Henley were both bowled by excellent consecutive deliveries before Laurence Sanders finally tried to play an aggressive shot and was caught at backward point for 26.
With only 99 to defend, ODs needed to start well and Naseri came exceedingly close to breaking through first ball with a very strong lbw shout. Simon Henley got one to pop in his first over and gratefully pouched the return catch. Naseri clean bowled their number 3 playing an ungainly hoick and at 9-2, Bellingham were in trouble with the pitch continuing to deteriorate. With some dollops of luck, but also some good batting, a partnership developed against Simon and the unlucky Ollie Fishlock until John had their opener lbw to a daisy-cutter. Cameron Sanders came on and bowled accurately while Naseri dismissed the other key batsman courtesy of a fantastic one handed catch from Russell. At this stage, 25 were still needed for victory but the remaining runs were knocked off without too much alarm.
Our fielding was impressive throughout, with Lakey inspirationally leading the way until he sadly suffered a knee injury. We make the long journey to High Halstow next week and if we can get a better total, we have a good chance of returning with a more favourable result.
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Home to Sidcup Saturday 4th June
Sidcup CC - 2nd XI Won Batting First by 115 runs
Sidcup 287 - 4 D Minette 2 - 53, B Williamson 2 - 53
ODCCC 172 - 10 (41.1 overs) R Newell 26 --------------------
Away to Old Wilsonians Saturday 28th May
On arriving at Wilsonians and seeing a distinctly green pitch, Russell had no hesitation in putting them in. Dave Minette exploited the two-paced nature of the surface and jagged the ball off the seam, taking 4 cheap wickets in his opening spell to leave Wilsonians 37-4 while Ollie Fishlock kept things tight at the other end. Sam Carp came on and took 3 wickets while the accurate John McLaughlin thoroughly deserved his wicket. Dave took the final wicket to finish with 5-19 from 9.3 overs, Sam having taken 3-28 and John 1-25 as Wilsonians were bowled out for 100 in 28.3 overs. The fielding, on an uneven outfield, was good with excellent catches taken by Russell and Cameron Sanders.
The OD reply began disastrously as Dan Thorne, Richard Learmouth and Cameron all fell for ducks in the 3rd over. William Sanders and Jake Caddy, after promising boundaries, soon followed and when Laurence Sanders was run out following a mix-up and turn worthy of a double decker bus, we found ourselves 35-6. However, John and Russell knuckled down and began to silence the vociferous slip cordon with a useful partnership to take us to tea at 68-6. After a slight altercation involving a possible boundary, the contest was evenly poised with both sides battling hard. John was bowled for 19 to leave us 85-7 but Dave made a vital 14* to help Russell see us home with a great captain’s knock of 38*. This was a fantastic victory and hopefully we can keep the momentum going next Saturday.
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Home to Addington Village Saturday 21st May
ODs once again started well with Dave Minette striking in his first over and Ollie Fishlock following suite soon after to leave Addington 20-2. A partnership followed between their skipper and their Rob Key-lookalike but John McClaughlin and Cameron Sanders both plugged away willingly against some quality batting. After Hayden Wisnewski was banned from bowling for 21 overs after a late arrival, Dave Minette returned to make the breakthrough and finished with 4 deserved wickets as Addington closed on 245-5. The fielding was committed with Cameron, Ollie and William Sanders all taking fine catches.
In reply, Foxy seemed unlucky to be given lbw early and the rest of the top order meekly subsided to leave us 40-4. William added some much needed momentum with a typically forthright 35 before he was bowled round his legs trying another sweep. Hayden was in danger of being left stranded when Russell, John (caught brilliantly at extra cover first ball) and Dave all departed quickly with the score at 129-8. Cameron overcame a nervy start to play some excellent shots and support Hayden who was beginning to flourish in a 91 run partnership. Cameron tamely patted a catch to mid off with 26 required from 5 overs but Hayden continued on his merry way to a maiden century for the club. With 6 needed in 2 overs, the assembled masses all awaited the club’s first league victory of the season but alas, Hayden was out leg before to end an innings that was both resilient and flamboyant. Overall, this was an excellent game of cricket with the smallest margins making the difference in the end.
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v Linden Park - Saturday 14th May at Home
This was definitely the one that got away. Armed with the new ball, Ollie Fishlock made an early breakthrough courtesy of an agile, slow-mo catch by William Sanders and then followed it up 2 overs later. Simon Hunter was relentlessly accurate and picked up 5 wickets with good catches from Dave Minette and Tom Churcher. ODs were tight in the field and at one point there were 5 successive maidens with Linden Park reeling at 45-7. However, their number 9 played some remarkable strokes as well as some streaky ones – Dave was very unlucky not to pick up a wicket – while the other batsman batted very sensibly as the ball went soft and stopped swinging and seaming. John McLaughin made the breakthrough with Cameron Sanders clinging onto a rapid catch at 2nd slip which seemed as though it might go through him. Another partnership took Linden Park up to 181 all out in the 50th over though Ollie and Cameron bowled well at the death.
ODs resolved to see off the new ball and David Fox and Laurence Sanders took the score to 27-0 after 15 overs despite the incessant appealing which would not have seemed out of place at the Eurovision song contest. Laurence then padded up to an offcutter and ODs collapsed to 63-5 when Foxy was bowled for an excellent 28 made in trying conditions. William (29) managed to resist sweeping the spinner and fashioned a recovery with John (16) and Dave Minette (25) before he was run out in a calamitous mix up going for the 3rd. Cameron (10*) helped Dave take the score to 146-8 when Dave was out. With 36 needed from 9 overs, we were still in the game when Simon run out. ODs will regret the run outs and losing too many wickets early on but the bowling and fielding was very persistent and the Linden Park bowling accurate and penetrating. With a little luck, results should soon start going our way!
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v Rainham - Saturday 7th May away
ODs were greeted at Rainham by an inviting boundary which barely extended beyond the 30 yard circle. Simon Henley and Colin Cook beat the bat regularly early on and both earned deserved wickets to leave Rainham 71-2. Edges started landing in open spaces and mishits comfortably flew for 6 but ODs continued to bowl well and were committed in the field despite only having 10 men. Unfortunately, their opener, having mixed some excellent shots with some streaky ones, started to dominate on his way to a brutal 172. Dave Minette and Cameron Sanders were especially economical given the circumstances while John McClaughlin also put in a good spell. Once the opener was dismissed, wickets began to fall despite Cameron dropping a sitter off his own bowling and a somewhat harder chance diving at full stretch of Simon Henley. Rainham declared on 302-7 from 46 overs with the wickets shared around.
After an excellent tea, ODs started cautiously as Laurence Sanders (38) and Dan Thorne (22) put on 53 before Dan received the first of several lbw decisions. Tom Churcher (19) laced the ball through the offside and launched a mighty 6 before edging a sharply turning offbreak. At 113-2, with Russell (18) making good use of his new bat with several well-timed strokes and Laurence scoring exclusively to fine leg, ODs were going well but suddenly subsided to 133-6, with William Sanders receiving a first baller. This sorry state of affairs was rectified by a swashbuckling partnership of 49 between John (25) and Dave (29) that only ended when Dave, tempted by the offer of a pint, attempted to clear the longest boundary and holed out. John soon followed in similar fashion so it was left to Cameron (21*) and Simon (16*) to bat out the final 10 overs and secure the draw, albeit in slightly unorthodox fashion with Simon smiting the spinner over deep midwicket in the penultimate over. We finished on an impressive 231-8 that bodes well for the season.
Thanks go to Neville for umpiring (and not giving any of us out) and to Wally for scoring.