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Newsletter #2

odcuacoweb

League cricket was underway last weekend, with some great wins for the 1s and 4s. Kudos to Koot Pienaar, Joe East, Dan Webster, Rohan Bridges and Mark Coles who were all in the runs. Sunday also saw a minor miracle as Dan Baylis struck a sweet 79 on the way to a Sunday victory.


Its a busy week of cricket ahead! We have 4 Saturday games, a Sunday game, T20s on Tuesday (away at Sidcup) and Friday (Home vs Langley School) and a whole host of colts cricket, so make sure to pop down to the club and support when you can!


Once again, best of luck to all our teams playing this week!


Kind regards,


Chris Webster

Club Captain

 

Match Reports:

1st XI v Kings Hill

Cricket. Is. Back.

After an extremely moist winter the cricket season finally gets going, and Mother Nature obliged with a spectacular May Saturday.

Before we get into the details of the match, I want to say a huge thank you to Mark for his hard work getting the ground ready through what has been a very challenging period.


Two ducks in the pond - OJasper 0 (4), C Webster 0 (1)

Captain Wandy continued where he left off last season and lost the toss, we all hoped that would be where the similarities of last season ended. The King’s Hill skipper elected to bowl first, on what looked to be a good wicket but a soggy and moist outfield.


OJ (Snr) and Kooooot strode out to face a formidable seam attack, comprising a former county bowler. OJ (Snr) was unfortunately done by the in-swinger and hopped straight into the pond. Dan Webster (FWebs) joined Kooooot early doors and was a watchful partner for the big man while he got into his stride. Kooot and FWebs worked hard to set a platform for the team, putting the bad balls away and seeing off the new ball. Koooot began to feast on the first and second bowling changes with some classic KP slappage. FWebs was removed (40) and replaced by his brother Chris, who promptly hopped into the pond with OJ for a goldinho. Joe East (VR) replaced Chris and took the attack to King’s Hill with a combination of flair (if not a little risky) sweeps and classic VR squirts through the point region. Koooot (82) departed and was replaced by OJ (Jr) who came and went but elected not to hop into the pond with his brother. A combination of VR (47), Wandy (14) and Will East (Oculus Reparo) (12) took us to 241. Shout out to Dan Baylis for a spectacular block final ball to avoid us being bowled out.


Vivo Perfect Catch of the Match - Ollie Jasper

Spirits were high after a tough season with the bat as we knew that King’s Hill would have to bat very well to chase this target down. The classic ODs opening attack Worsley and Webster took the new Dukes and had the ball dancing around from ball 1. King’s Hill fell behind the run rate quickly as they struggled to content with Nick and Chris and went without a boundary for the first 5 overs. 30-1 at the end of the power play (10 overs) is a captains dream. Baylis and OJ (snr) replaced the openers and OJ picked up a wicket with just his second delivery with a classic slow left arm caught behind. Baylis toiled hard at the other end and forced the batters to chase OJ, playing to the plan perfectly. However King’s Hill chose their shots well and took the attack to OD’s. Wandy replaced Baylis to mix things up and picked up a wicket in his second over. King’s Hill now 68-3 from 19 and in a spot of bother. FWebs, Weast and Baylis continied to bowl tight areas and continue to pile the pressure on King’s Hill, they crept to 103-3 from 28 when Wandy went for the kill, bringing Worsley, Webster and himself on and in quick succession took the next 6 wickets and quelled the chance of the oppo getting back into the game.


Fantastic effort from the team against a team who will be in the top part of this Division 1.


MOM - Koot

DOD - Baylis #Kids

VPCOM - Ollie Jasper (shout out to a gun performance in the field too)


Match report by Andrew Ainger

 

2nd XI v Orpington

The 2s emerged from their winter slumber, eyes blinking and extremely rusty up at Orpington for the season opener. Despite an emerald surface, the skipper elected to bat and gave a clear instruction ‘whatever happens, make sure we bat our overs’. Practising as he preached, it was a typically slow and steady start as the oppo attack was disciplined and nibbled the ball around. Richard started to look fluent but was dismissed courtesy of a juggle at cover for 18, but with a reasonable base of 40-1 after 15.


Bunners Tests the track

 

Alas, Orpington’s spin attack settled in nicely and restricted scoring opportunities, ultimately triggering a collapse from 50-1 to 70-5. ODs had hired a panel umpire for the game, but he was heard to be throwing shade at poor Henry, pondering how bad the rest of the batsmen must be if Bunners, swinging lustily at fresh air, was the number 4. However, while Henry fulminated on the sidelines, Kieran made a splendid 28 (35) to take ODs up to 119-9 from their 45. By no means a great score, but something to bowl at.

 

‘Keep it tight early doors, let’s make it difficult for them’ was the cry. ODs instead began with an 11-ball over but despite this, Davison and Hall made 3 early breakthroughs, including a particularly aesthetic nick-off snaffled by Sam behind the sticks. The score was 25-3 and the game was on. A leading edge from their man bat (De Mel) looped agonisingly over backward point and Orpington soon began to take advantage of some uncharacteristically loose bowling. Despite a wicket for East and then two late scalps for Pooley, De Mel’s 64 (49) did the damage and Orpington cruised home by 4 wickets


Match report by Laurence Sanders

 

3rd XI v Bexley

Mercifully the clouds had parted in the week and the 3s arrived at the Jubilee Ground able to finally play their first game of the season. The gardeners were delighted to see that the groundsman had decided to honour ‘no mow May’ as they were greeted by a tufty-looking pitch pockmarked with patches of brown earth. The first toss of the season was lost with both skippers having wanted to bowl. No matter, ODs had a long tail in a side packed with batting, what could possibly go wrong?


In strolled Abishek Patel and Olly Colby, who had made a last minute dash from University to keep the side at 11 players after a late drop-out. He may have wished he hadn’t as, in keeping with nearly all the batsmen on the day, he wasn’t able to time the ball off the surface and chipped one to mid-on for a duck.

No matter, one wicket falls, another Colby (2) strides in. Alas, despite what seemed an obvious scrape of the pitch to both the batsman and square leg umpire, he was triggered as he went to repair his divot. 

Thankfully Abishek (23) dug in with real character along with returning hero Sam De Vaux (14) who was the one batsman to time the ball regularly until inevitably one with his name on arrived and he was pea-rolled LBW. 


No matter, three wickets fall, and with no Colbys left, Rohan Bridges (53) took centre stage with a fifty of real maturity, playing the ball on merit to smash it to the boundary when wayward and poke it for a single when straight. 


Sadly, it then became the battle of the ducks as Anmol Passamola, Rakesh Posam and Hugo Jones all departed with no score, amid some brief fireworks from Louis Boydon (12) and a promising not out from Billy Ansar (6) who was left stranded when Howard Thomas decided to leave his first ball to see if would hit the stumps. It did.


So, ODs were all out for a disappointing 118 to what was in fairness a decent bowling attack with a nice mix of youth and experience. 


With words fresh in their ears about ‘using the facilities’, ODs bowlers decided to remove the pitch from the equation and went for the old adage of ‘full tosses get wickets’ as they looked to see off some early season rust. 


Howard Thomas, however, had got the memo and bowled a beautiful spell of 9-4-11-2 with the highlight an absolute nut of an in-jagger that clean bowled their opener. Billy Ansar soon joined in the fun as the accuracy returned with 8.1-32-2, including of course a full toss to take one of his wickets!


It was the turn of the spin kings Rakesh Posam 6-0-21-0 and Colby Senior 9-1-35-2 to tie down the opposition. Runs were hard to come by as Bexley struggled to get ahead of the run rate, but with so few runs to play with wickets were crucial.


The new bat confidently said to Louis Boyden behind the stumps that if Colby bowled one short he was going to launch it over cow corner. One did and the other didn’t as the middle stump was struck. 


As the score started to accelerate, the next batsman did indeed hit a short one from Colby towards cow not realising that Colby Junior was in the vicinity as he sprinted to his left and dived full length to take one of the best catches this correspondent has ever seen.


Hugo Jones 6-2-18-1 stepped up as the fifth bowler and soon settled into a good line and length picking up the useful wicket of their opener with nine lives who had survived with an incredible piece of luck when Rakesh caught a thick outside edge and the team celebrated only for the umpire to state that he had got in his view and promptly gave a wide to everyone’s bemusement.


Wickets continued to fall, but Bexley were always only a couple of boundaries away from getting ahead of the run rate. And so it proved as their experienced number 6 took the game away from us with some lusty blows that landed both in between and in and out of the hands of the fielders, including a frustrating over from the luckless Rakesh that saw 3 catches dropped.


Match report by Chris Colby

 

4th XI v Sidcup

We arrived at Sidcup C C to find we were on the top square surrounded by Rugby Posts, and a lush and bumpy outfield.

 

The Team talk by the Skipper made it clear we were the last eleven standing, he didn’t expect miracles and to give us even more motivation launched into an extremely detailed description of the results his diet the night before of 10 pints and a curry followed by the outcome that morning. Fortunately, young Felix missed this outpouring (literally) otherwise he may have turned to hockey.

 

We had Aiden playing his first league cricket match who fielded well until he landed on the ball whilst fielding and damaged his ribs, Rahul playing his first Adult Match, Felix playing his first adult League match and the scribe playing his 5122 cricket match!

 

Despite feeling somewhat under the weather the Skipper won the toss and opted to bowl and once again he motivated the side by explaining we hadn’t got much batting!

 

It would be fair to say, and the opening bowlers agreed, that despite a wicket in the first over we didn’t have the best of starts. At one stage they were going at 8 an over but despite this Dan Hunter took 4 wickets thanks to some fine catching and strange bowling. The oppo were 70 odd for four and having to consolidate. However Rahul had other ideas and having bowled two placid overs was on a hattrick in his third. Felix not to be outdone bowled 5 immaculate overs and took three wickets and Rahul took a third. An excellent performance by two young men who led the Team off. Were it not for 24 extras we would have been chasing 84 and not 108.

 

However Messrs Smith S and Rouse opened and our first ten runs were extras. It continued to be a difficult wicket on which to bat and the Skipper was soon at the crease. The idea was for him to bat sensibly and the others to bat round him. Surprisingly enough he fulfilled his part of the bargain and saw us through to win by 5 wickets. Top score was extras 38* with the Skipper 36*.

 

An excellent start for the Fourths and hopefully ten pints and a curry will be their future formula.


Match report by Howard Smith

 

Sunday XI v Battersea Eagles

In a thrilling encounter at Park Langley, OD CUACO - Sunday 2nd XI emerged victorious over Battersea Eagles CC - Sunday 1st XI by a narrow margin of 6 runs. The home side, having won the toss, elected to bat first on a sunny afternoon.




OD CUACO's innings was anchored by a stellar performance from their captain, Daniel Baylis, who scored a commanding 79 runs. His innings was marked by resilience and patience, standing tall as wickets fell around him. Andy Rouse contributed a solid 23 at the top, while David Edwards added a useful 13 lower down the order. Despite a few partnerships, the team struggled to gain significant momentum, eventually being bowled out for 169 in 34.3 overs. The innings also benefited from 19 extra runs, which added crucially to their total.


Battersea Eagles’ bowlers displayed a disciplined effort, with Himad Khan being the standout performer, taking 3 wickets for 23 runs. Safi Ullah Khan and Siddik Karim also contributed effectively, each taking two wickets, thus preventing OD CUACO from posting a higher total.


Chasing a target of 170, Battersea Eagles started their innings cautiously. However, they faced a persistent challenge from OD CUACO's bowlers. Billy Rouse made early inroads, dismissing key batsmen and finishing with impressive figures. Rahul Mehan was equally effective, claiming four wickets and consistently troubling the batsmen with his accurate line and length. Ash Arora also chipped in with crucial wickets, maintaining pressure on the opposition.


Despite valiant efforts from several Battersea Eagles batsmen, including Hareesh Yeginine and Khalid Harris who both made notable contributions, the visitors fell short of the target. Regular wickets hampered their progress, and even a spirited effort from the lower order could not bridge the gap. Battersea Eagles finished their 40 overs at 163 for 9, just 6 runs shy of victory.


This closely contested match highlighted the competitive spirit and skills of both teams. OD CUACO - Sunday 2nd XI’s triumph was built on a balanced team performance, with Baylis’s exceptional innings and a combined bowling effort proving decisive. The victory will boost their confidence as they move forward in the season.


On the other hand, Battersea Eagles CC can take heart from their fighting performance and will look to bounce back in their upcoming matches. Despite the loss, their bowlers and batsmen showed glimpses of brilliance that promise better results in the future.


Overall, it was an engaging match of cricket, played in good spirit, and enjoyed by the spectators at Park Langley.


Match report by Charleston Gonersbury- Price-Trewellin

 

Picture of the Week


Saturday Night's done right - Curry at the club
 

Fantasy Cricket


Welcome to the 2024 edition of OD CUACO CC Fantasy Cricket! 


Here you are able to make the decisions and choices that you want to make. Who are your big hitters going to be? Who are you going to trust to be your team's captain? Will you make the correct choice when selecting your all important all rounder? The answers will soon be clear in the coming weeks.


Every single adult match played on a Saturday will count towards the points tally so use your talent spotting to select their best possible 11 from a budget of £55 million.


Cost of entry per team is just £6, payment must be made via this website when you set your team up. You can enter as many sides as you like. There will be prize money available (details TBC). 


Good luck and thanks for playing!


 

200 Club

The 200 club is a monthly raffle that occurs throughout the season giving members the opportunity to win up to £200. Entry is just £20 per ticket for the year.

Its not long until the first draw for the season, so if you would like to join, details can be found here along with the payment link.

 

Ball and Match Sponsorship

We are still looking for ball and match sponsorships for our games this year. These come at just at £25. This is a very important way for us to raise funds for various projects at the club, not covered in our normal budget. The link for this is below.

 

Communications - OD CUACO WhatsApp Announcements Group

Join our ODs Whatsapp Announcements group! By scanning the below code from a mobile phone / tablet etc. you will be asking to join our newly formed members information group. The administrators of the group will provide amongst club updates, news of social/ cricket events, and any quick one line information bulletins considered useful to members. This will be an information only group and will not be a chat. Newsletters with more in-depth information will continue to be sent.

 

Training times

The following times are designated for club training sessions. Nets will be available to use for club members outside of these times, and if there is no game on the main square.

Group

Day

Time

Senior Nets

Wednesday

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Additional 1st XI nets

Tuesday

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

U15-U17

Tuesday

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Under 11 and below

Sunday

10:00 am - 11:15 am

Under 12s - U13s

Sunday

11:15 am - 12:30 pm

 













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