Midweek XI Match Reports 2016
July 5th 2016 ODCuaco Midweek XI 186/10 (39.1 overs) Old Wilsonians Midweek XI 228/10 (39.1 overs)
The best weather of the year turned up for this eagerly anticipated clash between near neighbours ODCuaco and Old Wilsonians on the second day of cricket week. The skipper had secured a mixture of 3rd and 4th teamers along with the might of Pip France, Calum Basey and the legendary Matt Smit and was expecting a mish-mash of available students, retirees and friends of friend to turn up for OW's and be destroyed by the firepower of OD's. However in fact OW's had bought along a top drawer side and the decision was made to install them into bat for the good of the game.
Pip France opened the bowling for ODC and began at a frightening pace, with Henry Hamilton standing on the square at Old Wilsonians to take it. The batsmen were here to play their shots however and anything loose was being swung at. Hall induced an edge in his first over with Sawko doing exceptionally well to get a hand on it diving full stretch to his right. An couple of overs later Smit took an unbelievable catch in the slip cordon and ODC had their first wicket off the bowling of France. Thereafter wickets fell fairly regularly but Michael Mitchell who came in at 5 was in scintillating form and struck a magnificent 102 not out. Wickets were shared with 3 for France, two each for Hall, Sawko and Basey with Osborne claiming a run out. Phil Parke , Robin East and Smit bowled good (though wicketless) spells. Sawko just edged out Basey as best bowler and the moment of the match was an absolute corker of a catch by Smit diving full length off the bowling of France - that was worth the entrance fee alone. Old Wilsonians had scored at a lick and ODC were set a mammoth 229 to win from 40 overs.
Despite OW's seemingly reversing their usual bowling order and bowling almost entirely spin and dross an unexpected batting collapse saw the game in danger of lasting no longer than a Phil Tufnell innings. Smit was out first over LBW, with Lake, Osborne and Basey following shortly after. France then came in and hit the biggest shot I've ever seen which nearly ended up in the Girls School (that is not me exaggerating either). Shortly after though he and Parke were out and OD were up the creek without the proverbial paddle at 51 for 6. The tail though were determined not to roll over and a stand of 37 between Andy Hall and the excellent Hamilton was followed by a further 72 runs for the eighth wicket with East scoring 33. By the time number 11 Egan-Wyer came to the crease OD's needed around 20 an over for victory but Hall completed his first ODC fifty and E-W bashed a flurry of boundaries to help the total to 186 and embarrassment had been averted.
The ODC team had thoroughly enjoyed their day and it was an absolute pleasure to see Smit, Basey and France at such close quarters in the field - as Sawko said 'these guys don't play the same game as us.' An absolute pleasure to watch. Both teams stayed for a few hours in the bar to discuss the days events and enjoy the wonderful evening weather and I think we can mark this match down as a huge success. Cricket week at its best.
The best weather of the year turned up for this eagerly anticipated clash between near neighbours ODCuaco and Old Wilsonians on the second day of cricket week. The skipper had secured a mixture of 3rd and 4th teamers along with the might of Pip France, Calum Basey and the legendary Matt Smit and was expecting a mish-mash of available students, retirees and friends of friend to turn up for OW's and be destroyed by the firepower of OD's. However in fact OW's had bought along a top drawer side and the decision was made to install them into bat for the good of the game.
Pip France opened the bowling for ODC and began at a frightening pace, with Henry Hamilton standing on the square at Old Wilsonians to take it. The batsmen were here to play their shots however and anything loose was being swung at. Hall induced an edge in his first over with Sawko doing exceptionally well to get a hand on it diving full stretch to his right. An couple of overs later Smit took an unbelievable catch in the slip cordon and ODC had their first wicket off the bowling of France. Thereafter wickets fell fairly regularly but Michael Mitchell who came in at 5 was in scintillating form and struck a magnificent 102 not out. Wickets were shared with 3 for France, two each for Hall, Sawko and Basey with Osborne claiming a run out. Phil Parke , Robin East and Smit bowled good (though wicketless) spells. Sawko just edged out Basey as best bowler and the moment of the match was an absolute corker of a catch by Smit diving full length off the bowling of France - that was worth the entrance fee alone. Old Wilsonians had scored at a lick and ODC were set a mammoth 229 to win from 40 overs.
Despite OW's seemingly reversing their usual bowling order and bowling almost entirely spin and dross an unexpected batting collapse saw the game in danger of lasting no longer than a Phil Tufnell innings. Smit was out first over LBW, with Lake, Osborne and Basey following shortly after. France then came in and hit the biggest shot I've ever seen which nearly ended up in the Girls School (that is not me exaggerating either). Shortly after though he and Parke were out and OD were up the creek without the proverbial paddle at 51 for 6. The tail though were determined not to roll over and a stand of 37 between Andy Hall and the excellent Hamilton was followed by a further 72 runs for the eighth wicket with East scoring 33. By the time number 11 Egan-Wyer came to the crease OD's needed around 20 an over for victory but Hall completed his first ODC fifty and E-W bashed a flurry of boundaries to help the total to 186 and embarrassment had been averted.
The ODC team had thoroughly enjoyed their day and it was an absolute pleasure to see Smit, Basey and France at such close quarters in the field - as Sawko said 'these guys don't play the same game as us.' An absolute pleasure to watch. Both teams stayed for a few hours in the bar to discuss the days events and enjoy the wonderful evening weather and I think we can mark this match down as a huge success. Cricket week at its best.
19th August 2016 ODCuaco Midweek XI bt Catford & Cyphers Presidents XI by 4 wkts
Catford & Cyphers Presidents XI - 148 all out (40.5 overs)
ODCuaco Midweek XI - 149/6 (33 overs)
A Friday fixture against Catford? I don’t mind if I do. Foxy had put together a super side here – a mixture of youth, experience and serious ability though none of these adjectives applied to the skipper for the day Andy Hall.
As ever, the toss lost by Hall (7th in a row) and Catford elected to bat. Avis and Black opened up with Black immediately getting his line and length right and causing problems to both openers. It was Avis however who made the breakthrough, with White taking the catch. The 2nd wicket pairing made good progress however and were threatening to put up a big score until Joe East finally took out Packard just one run short of his half century. Under normal conditions this may be regarded as ‘jug avoidance’ but the ball that got him was an absolute beauty – ball of the day.
Hall then came on to bowl and blew away the middle order with assistance from White with a catch and the oppo’s skippers pads who deflected the ball on to his stumps. With de Silva standing firm at the other end the opposing keeper then shouldered arms to the wrong delivery from Hall which came back and cartwheeled the stumps…..errr okay it just hit them.
Hamilton and Nott were the next bowling pair and they were facing the semi-pro dangerman who seemed determined to clear the clubhouse with each shot. On advice from the 1’s skipper a Long-on – Long off trap was set and from the bowling of Hamilton he couldn’t resist with Hall taking the catch rather than wearing it. Nott finally ended the resistance of De Silva by bowling him which left three wickets to go. Hamilton exchanged pads with Louis Boyden for the last 8 overs and Boyden and Patel took over bowling duties. Catford could not get to grips with whatever it is that Abhishek bowls and he took out the nine and ten (Hamilton with a good stumping) before Boyden finished things off with East the catcher.
Aaron White was a man in a hurry and only had 40 minutes to bat – this was an utterly brutal innings with a half century scored in just 8.3 overs. East and Black had the misfortune of facing some seriously good bowling and departed swiftly along with Avis. Once White had departed Nott and Patel steadied the ship with a good partnership and ODC were closing in on victory. Only a collapse could save Catford though ODC had some serious batsmen hiding at the bottom of the order in the form of Hall and C Webster……okay then just Webster.
Upon the dismissal of Nott for a solid 23 Henry Hamilton came in and once again proved his resilience with a fine score of 25 which all but secured the game. He departed with only a couple of runs to go which left Louis Boyden to go to the non-strikers end to watch Patel finish things off.
A special mention to Chris Webster for waving the youth through and to Sam de Vaux who fielded despite injuring himself early on which meant he did not risk batting or bowling. Well done to Foxy for organising and full marks to the Cyphers President who paid our tea money also. A really enjoyable match played in a great spirit.
Catford & Cyphers Presidents XI - 148 all out (40.5 overs)
ODCuaco Midweek XI - 149/6 (33 overs)
A Friday fixture against Catford? I don’t mind if I do. Foxy had put together a super side here – a mixture of youth, experience and serious ability though none of these adjectives applied to the skipper for the day Andy Hall.
As ever, the toss lost by Hall (7th in a row) and Catford elected to bat. Avis and Black opened up with Black immediately getting his line and length right and causing problems to both openers. It was Avis however who made the breakthrough, with White taking the catch. The 2nd wicket pairing made good progress however and were threatening to put up a big score until Joe East finally took out Packard just one run short of his half century. Under normal conditions this may be regarded as ‘jug avoidance’ but the ball that got him was an absolute beauty – ball of the day.
Hall then came on to bowl and blew away the middle order with assistance from White with a catch and the oppo’s skippers pads who deflected the ball on to his stumps. With de Silva standing firm at the other end the opposing keeper then shouldered arms to the wrong delivery from Hall which came back and cartwheeled the stumps…..errr okay it just hit them.
Hamilton and Nott were the next bowling pair and they were facing the semi-pro dangerman who seemed determined to clear the clubhouse with each shot. On advice from the 1’s skipper a Long-on – Long off trap was set and from the bowling of Hamilton he couldn’t resist with Hall taking the catch rather than wearing it. Nott finally ended the resistance of De Silva by bowling him which left three wickets to go. Hamilton exchanged pads with Louis Boyden for the last 8 overs and Boyden and Patel took over bowling duties. Catford could not get to grips with whatever it is that Abhishek bowls and he took out the nine and ten (Hamilton with a good stumping) before Boyden finished things off with East the catcher.
Aaron White was a man in a hurry and only had 40 minutes to bat – this was an utterly brutal innings with a half century scored in just 8.3 overs. East and Black had the misfortune of facing some seriously good bowling and departed swiftly along with Avis. Once White had departed Nott and Patel steadied the ship with a good partnership and ODC were closing in on victory. Only a collapse could save Catford though ODC had some serious batsmen hiding at the bottom of the order in the form of Hall and C Webster……okay then just Webster.
Upon the dismissal of Nott for a solid 23 Henry Hamilton came in and once again proved his resilience with a fine score of 25 which all but secured the game. He departed with only a couple of runs to go which left Louis Boyden to go to the non-strikers end to watch Patel finish things off.
A special mention to Chris Webster for waving the youth through and to Sam de Vaux who fielded despite injuring himself early on which meant he did not risk batting or bowling. Well done to Foxy for organising and full marks to the Cyphers President who paid our tea money also. A really enjoyable match played in a great spirit.
