Match Reports:
1st XI v Bromley (27th May)
In a season of lessons learnt to date, the 1st XI added another valuable one on Saturday.
The challenge of Championship cricket continued as Ainger won the toss and elected to bat. Tight power play bowling from Bromley kept the ODs scoring rate under control, before Koot, Murrell, Chris and Mike all fell swiftly, leaving ODs in a bit of a pickle. Dan Webster stood firm, but the consistent and tight Bromley bowling on a difficult pitch meant runs were hard to come by and ODs plodded on at 2 an over. Dan was eventually dismissed for 40 in the last over to a (dodgy) LBW, and ODs were bowled out for 105.
After a rousing and surprising team talk from skipper Ainger, we started to pad up again. Not to bat, but to stand in close catching positions to some opening spin bowling. In addition, seam bowlers Batten and Webster were told to be ready to keep wicket, as the padded up Ollie Jasper tweaked his offies in the innings break, bowling to spinner Ainger who was wearing the gloves.
It may sound like a disorganised shambles of thinking, but there was method to the madness. The aim was to be aggressive and take wickets.
After Bromley had made a good start, helped by aggressive field placements, Alex Davison made the break through, swinging the ball through the Bromley opener's gate. Shortly afterwards, he then took the edge of the left handed number 3 which was snaffled in the gully by a padded up Murrell (VPCOM).
With Bromley needing 30 or so to win, it was C Webster's turn to take the limelight, as a direct hit run out from point got ODs their 3rd wicket, and 1st point of the day, before he then bounced out the Bromley number 4 with a sharp and well directed bouncer.
Sadly ODs had chances to take more wickets but sadly, catches were put down. Bromley got over the line 4 down, but it was a fun and inspiring effort from Ainger's troops, who will be looking to build on the bowling performance next week, and learn the value of Bromley's consistency with the ball at this level.
MOM - Alex Davison for his electric spell and 2 wickets
DOD - Andrew Ainger for a somewhat eye opening choice of tactics and words in the interval, seemingly wanting our players to all get banned
VPCOM - Dan Murrell for a high grab at gully
Match report by Chris Webster
2nd XI v Gravesend
The match report for this one will be brief, as to be honest, not a lot really happened. Gravesend won the toss by default and batted first scoring 196-7 off their 45 overs. They had a decent 4th wicket partnership of 102, plus some lusty blows towards the end of the innings against a tiring fielding unit which took them to their total. Oh, the advantages of batting first.
Chasing 197 was always achievable, but in order to do so, you need some good partnerships and at least a couple of batsmen to get 50’s. Although slightly behind the required rate at 96-2 and with the home team marginal favourites, the game looked to be in the balance. But accurate pace off bowling, scoreboard pressure and decent fielding from Gravesend meant OD’s collapsed spectacularly to 109 all out in 37 overs. And that was that.
The Lowlights:
Fielding first
Losing 8 wickets for 13 runs
Getting only 3 points
No Bobby Jasper
The Highlights:
Cricket
The weather
Nice outfield
Kai and Andy Hall’s opening spell
Kai Bennett 2-32; Andy Hall 1-28; Liam Pooley 2-36
James Sims’ debut
Catching
Cricket teas and hot showers
A robust ‘Frogbox’ which lasted the whole game so you can watch the whole thing again if you can be bothered
James Sims, Kai Bennett and Oscar Jasper leaving Beckenham at 09.30 to get to Gravesend (53 minutes away) for an 11.30 meet time and arriving last at 11.44. No, we had no idea what they were up to either.
Roll on Downham and Bellingham next week.
Match report by Richard Loader
Picture of the Week
Tom Howe's new jumper after its first accidental wash...
Tour 2023 - 23rd to 26th July - Payments due
The season is go. Numbers have swelled. Fixtures are confirmed. It's T for Tour time.
We need confirmations of interest ASAP so those coming do not miss out on stash this year.
Also, full payments due by 18th June.
Payments to:
OD CUACO CC
20-49-81
40432628
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 U11s to Under 13s | Sunday | 11:15 am - 12:30 pm |
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