Fixtures, Results and Tables
Saturday League 2nd XI
Team 2nd XI
League Kent Cricket League Division 3
Captain Simon Hunter
Links League Table
Saturday League 2nd XI
Team 2nd XI
League Kent Cricket League Division 3
Captain Simon Hunter
Links League Table
Nonington 254-4 dec drew with OD Cuaco 183-4
Scorecard
ODs made the long journey down to promotion-chasing Nonington this weekend to find one of the prettiest grounds in the league. The opposition supplied 2 umpires and thereby won the right to bat first on a very good wicket. ODs did not bowl as well as they might have hoped and their young opener merrily kept pulling the ball into the adjacent field. The resident sheep, clearly alarmed at this development, soon decided to up sticks and seek shelter. Elliot Avis (6-0-19-0) came on to exert some (brief) control and despite being gifted a couple of wickets, the onslaught continued largely unabated until Nonington felt happy to declare after 46 overs.
Following an excellent tea, ODs set out in pursuit of the runs. Alas, the early loss of Billy Rouse put a halt to such lofty ambitions but Craig Westmacott (42) and Laurence Sanders (68*) provided some stability with Craig in particular playing some excellent strokes all round the wicket. Once he was dismissed, Chad Spencer and Steve Smith made useful contributions towards pushing ODs up to 3 batting points (175) and denying Nonington the wickets (and full points) to which they felt a divine entitlement. After successfully padding away a few more leg-side deliveries Sanders and Sam Parke were able to shake hands at 183-4 from 54 overs. Once more, the 2s have batted well (only against Catford has our batting been lacklustre) and this run-scoring potential simply needs to be integrated with more consistent wicket-taking for the 2s to become a truly potent force. Thanks to Chad, Simon, Craig and Russell for driving down to the middle of nowhere – the reward of 2 successive home fixtures awaits!
OD Cuaco 135-2 beat Hollingbourne 134 by 8 wickets
Scorecard
With Andrew Mew kindly agreeing to umpire on a lovely day at the Home of Cricket, ODs were able to win the toss and insert Hollingbourne. A relatively flaky batting line up was quickly dismantled by the familiar pairing of Simon Hunter (13-2-30-4) and Simon Henley (15-5-31-2). Some brief lower-order resistance was soon snuffed out by Ed Nott (11.3.-2-28-3) and Hollingbourne were all out for 134, a total that was at least 60 light.
Although an early wicket initially buoyed the opposition, Gary Williamson 54* and Laurence 49 soon ground them down and made clear their intent to use most (if not all) of the 53 overs available. This had the added benefit of irritating the clearly tired opposition and although the run rate at one stage ballooned dangerously north of 3 an over, the chase was always comfortable despite Sanders’ careless late dismissal. This was an excellent all-round effort from the team and this first win of the season lifted the 2s well out of the relegation spots.
Catford Wanderers 140-6 beat OD Cuaco 139-9 by 4 wickets
Scorecard
In the picturesque backdrop of Homebase, ODs were inserted by Catford on a pitch which seamed around considerably with the new ball. Despite the early loss of Craig Westmacott, Sanders elder (26) and minor (45) dug in to build the score up to 55-1 from 20 overs. Unfortunately, once Will was given lbw, ODs lost wickets regularly and despite some late hits from Simon Henley, were only able to post a sub-par 139-9.
However, Catford’s aggressive approach to chasing allowed ODs back into the game as Simon Hunter (14-3-32-5) and Simon Henley (12-0-50-1) took early wickets to reduce Catford to 50-4. Seth Tyler (10-1-32-0) continued to exert pressure. Unfortunately, the Catford skipper played a very sensible and determined innings, so despite Simon returning to pick up a two further wickets, Catford were able to squeeze over the line. Had ODs scored another 40 runs, they could well have won but the fielding performance was the best of the season and bodes well for future weeks.
Scorecard
ODs made the long journey down to promotion-chasing Nonington this weekend to find one of the prettiest grounds in the league. The opposition supplied 2 umpires and thereby won the right to bat first on a very good wicket. ODs did not bowl as well as they might have hoped and their young opener merrily kept pulling the ball into the adjacent field. The resident sheep, clearly alarmed at this development, soon decided to up sticks and seek shelter. Elliot Avis (6-0-19-0) came on to exert some (brief) control and despite being gifted a couple of wickets, the onslaught continued largely unabated until Nonington felt happy to declare after 46 overs.
Following an excellent tea, ODs set out in pursuit of the runs. Alas, the early loss of Billy Rouse put a halt to such lofty ambitions but Craig Westmacott (42) and Laurence Sanders (68*) provided some stability with Craig in particular playing some excellent strokes all round the wicket. Once he was dismissed, Chad Spencer and Steve Smith made useful contributions towards pushing ODs up to 3 batting points (175) and denying Nonington the wickets (and full points) to which they felt a divine entitlement. After successfully padding away a few more leg-side deliveries Sanders and Sam Parke were able to shake hands at 183-4 from 54 overs. Once more, the 2s have batted well (only against Catford has our batting been lacklustre) and this run-scoring potential simply needs to be integrated with more consistent wicket-taking for the 2s to become a truly potent force. Thanks to Chad, Simon, Craig and Russell for driving down to the middle of nowhere – the reward of 2 successive home fixtures awaits!
OD Cuaco 135-2 beat Hollingbourne 134 by 8 wickets
Scorecard
With Andrew Mew kindly agreeing to umpire on a lovely day at the Home of Cricket, ODs were able to win the toss and insert Hollingbourne. A relatively flaky batting line up was quickly dismantled by the familiar pairing of Simon Hunter (13-2-30-4) and Simon Henley (15-5-31-2). Some brief lower-order resistance was soon snuffed out by Ed Nott (11.3.-2-28-3) and Hollingbourne were all out for 134, a total that was at least 60 light.
Although an early wicket initially buoyed the opposition, Gary Williamson 54* and Laurence 49 soon ground them down and made clear their intent to use most (if not all) of the 53 overs available. This had the added benefit of irritating the clearly tired opposition and although the run rate at one stage ballooned dangerously north of 3 an over, the chase was always comfortable despite Sanders’ careless late dismissal. This was an excellent all-round effort from the team and this first win of the season lifted the 2s well out of the relegation spots.
Catford Wanderers 140-6 beat OD Cuaco 139-9 by 4 wickets
Scorecard
In the picturesque backdrop of Homebase, ODs were inserted by Catford on a pitch which seamed around considerably with the new ball. Despite the early loss of Craig Westmacott, Sanders elder (26) and minor (45) dug in to build the score up to 55-1 from 20 overs. Unfortunately, once Will was given lbw, ODs lost wickets regularly and despite some late hits from Simon Henley, were only able to post a sub-par 139-9.
However, Catford’s aggressive approach to chasing allowed ODs back into the game as Simon Hunter (14-3-32-5) and Simon Henley (12-0-50-1) took early wickets to reduce Catford to 50-4. Seth Tyler (10-1-32-0) continued to exert pressure. Unfortunately, the Catford skipper played a very sensible and determined innings, so despite Simon returning to pick up a two further wickets, Catford were able to squeeze over the line. Had ODs scored another 40 runs, they could well have won but the fielding performance was the best of the season and bodes well for future weeks.
2nd xi – Old Colfeians 234 (50) beat 2nd xi 211 (49.4) by 23 runs
Scorecard
Under new leadership, the 2nd xi began the season away at Old Colfeians and elected to bowl. Initially taken aback by the kamikaze approach adopted by the Colfeians openers, ODs were able to regain control in the field once Simon Henley removed the two aforementioned batsmen with the score at around 65-2. Tidy spells from Ed Nott, Simon Hunter, Dan Smedley and Calum Hider ensured that the middle order was unable to take the game away and wickets fell sufficiently regularly to keep ODs hopeful. Simon Henley returned to take wickets at the death (ending with a highly creditable 15-2-54-5) which reduced Colfeians to 190-8. A late cameo of 31* from their number 8 extended the score to 234 but generally, ODs maintained their focus throughout the innings on a breezy afternoon and the fielding and bowling was steady, diligent and conscientious throughout.
In reply, Gary Williamson (48) and Ed Nott (44) pushed the reply along nicely to take ODs up to 84-1 from 17 overs. Both took advantage of any loose balls to ensure that the opposition bowlers were unable to exert a stranglehold on the innings. Unfortunately, once Ed was dismissed, the 2s suffered a not entirely unfamiliar collapse to 143-8. Messrs Henley, Hider and Hunter restored some joie de vivre to the camp by each playing spirited cameos that confounded the best efforts of the recalled Colfeians opening bowlers. These took ODs up to maximum batting points, and though they never seriously threatened the target, Colfeians were nearly denied victory until Hunter was lbw in the final over, sparking mildly absurd celebrations from the successful bowler. There were some good performances throughout the game which ODs ought to be able to improve upon next week back at the home of cricket.
Scorecard
Under new leadership, the 2nd xi began the season away at Old Colfeians and elected to bowl. Initially taken aback by the kamikaze approach adopted by the Colfeians openers, ODs were able to regain control in the field once Simon Henley removed the two aforementioned batsmen with the score at around 65-2. Tidy spells from Ed Nott, Simon Hunter, Dan Smedley and Calum Hider ensured that the middle order was unable to take the game away and wickets fell sufficiently regularly to keep ODs hopeful. Simon Henley returned to take wickets at the death (ending with a highly creditable 15-2-54-5) which reduced Colfeians to 190-8. A late cameo of 31* from their number 8 extended the score to 234 but generally, ODs maintained their focus throughout the innings on a breezy afternoon and the fielding and bowling was steady, diligent and conscientious throughout.
In reply, Gary Williamson (48) and Ed Nott (44) pushed the reply along nicely to take ODs up to 84-1 from 17 overs. Both took advantage of any loose balls to ensure that the opposition bowlers were unable to exert a stranglehold on the innings. Unfortunately, once Ed was dismissed, the 2s suffered a not entirely unfamiliar collapse to 143-8. Messrs Henley, Hider and Hunter restored some joie de vivre to the camp by each playing spirited cameos that confounded the best efforts of the recalled Colfeians opening bowlers. These took ODs up to maximum batting points, and though they never seriously threatened the target, Colfeians were nearly denied victory until Hunter was lbw in the final over, sparking mildly absurd celebrations from the successful bowler. There were some good performances throughout the game which ODs ought to be able to improve upon next week back at the home of cricket.