Newsletter #3
- odcuacoweb
- May 29
- 12 min read
It’s been another busy and memorable week for ODs, with fixtures across all XIs and a trio of club legends hitting major milestones. Congratulations to Ashwani Arora on claiming his 200th wicket, Kai Bennett for reaching 200 appearances, and Kev Harding for surpassing 2,000 runs for the club.
The T20 side kicked off the weekend in style with a dominant 38-run win over LPBS. Koot Pienaar (53) led the charge with the bat, backed up by Ollie Jasper (19), before the bowlers kept things tight — Alex Davison taking 2-3 and Andy Hall 1-5 in an efficient team performance.
The 1st XI returned to winning ways with a well-measured 6-wicket victory over Chestfield, thanks to an unbeaten 91 from Koot Pienaar*, supported by Chris Webster (36) and some disciplined bowling earlier in the day. Elsewhere, the 2nd XI were involved in a low-scoring scrap with Bexley, falling 25 runs short despite a spirited 4-wicket haul from Kai Bennett and 3 wickets from Liam Pooley. The 3rd XI battled hard but couldn’t overcome Beckenham’s big total, losing by 41 runs despite a valiant 72 from Ash Nair and a tidy knock from Anmol Pasamolla.
To round off the Saturday league fixtures, it was another confident outing for the 4th XI, who cruised to a 9-wicket win over Bexleyheath. Andy Rouse (50*) and Luke Colby (41*) steered the chase with ease after a great effort from the bowling unit led by Asa Smith (4-16) and Ollie Arratoon (2-33).
In the Bank holiday weekend's friendly fixtures, the Sunday XI came up just short in a closely contested fixture against The Covenant, losing by 4 wickets. Koot Pienaar (51*) and Louis Boyden (41) had earlier helped OD Cuaco post a competitive total, with Will and Robin East picking up wickets in reply. The weekend was then rounded off in dramatic fashion, as the Midweek XI snatched a 2-wicket victory over Cudham Wyse. Chris Webster starred with an unbeaten 90*, while Ashwani Arora contributed with both bat (40) and ball (3-28), ensuring a thrilling finish to another packed week of cricket.
Picture of the Week
1st XI v Chestfield
Act One
Upon the fields of Park Langley, where summer’s breath did kiss the grass, there stood brave Webster, captain bold. Tails the call and the toss was won — a marvel! And to bowl he did elect, a choice so rare it made the stars tremble and the scorers blink twice.
Forth strode Webster the Younger, noble of line and length, who took ball in hand and did bowl ten overs unbroken — a spell longer than Hamlet’s soliloquy and thrice as deadly. Two early victories, as yon batsman No. 4, struck by fear and ignorance alike, did flail and flash like a ship ‘gainst stormy sea, missing more than hitting. When contact finally came, the leathered ball soared to yonder slip — but soft! Master James Sims, caught in musings perchance, let fall the chance.
Yet redemption, sweet as Juliet’s kiss, was swift: five times did Sims pouch other catch, and five times did the field erupt in cheer, his hands stickier than Puck’s mischief and Joe's VR tissues.
Sir Daniel of Webster, of blood to the captain and mirror of his might, did match the feat — ten overs straight, unwavering and just, like Brutus with blade in Rome. Baylis, fiery of eye and sprightly of knee, bowled well, but alas! The joint betrayed him after but four overs — a villainous twist worthy of Iago’s plotting.
The foe did crumble 'neath our might, yet their last two lingered long, vexing our efforts. But at length — 159 all out, and to the pavilion they did trudge, their hopes dashed and their stumps dismayed.
Act Two
To chase, then, did we set — full of cheer and bellyful of dreams. Swishy Joe, a man whose blade is oft more flourish than fury, was first to fall, undone by ambition too bold. Mike, too, departed swift, and shadows lengthened across our hopes.
Young William of East, promoted for bold stroke and noble brow, came forth with valour... yet his blade did kiss the ball but briefly, and to the keeper he gave his fate. Thus stood the score: a paltry thirty and three, and hearts did flutter.
But enter now our heroes: Koot the Constant and Webster the (un)Wise, who did rally with fire in their veins and mirth in their eyes. With bat like sword and strike like tempest, they took the fight to Chestfield’s weary men. Sixes soared, mighty orbs that kissed the clouds — would that Titania herself could’ve watched such arcs!
Koot, unbeaten and serene, crafted an innings of 91 not out, a masterwork worthy of sonnet and song. His blade danced like Rosalind in Arden — elegant, precise, unstoppable.
When at last Webster fell, brave and bold, it was Daniel of Webster who strode on stage. With few firm strokes he did smite the ball though the covers, and thus the game was won.
MoM - Koot the Constant
DoD - Webster the (un)Wise
VPCOM - Master James Sims
Match report by William Shakespeare
2nd XI v Bromley
Fresh from two victories, the 2s headed to the ghastly Loring Hall keen to avenge a painful defeat last year, where a chase of 105 proved too much.
Unsure of what might be a par score, the skipper elected to change tack and give Bexley first use. Kai removed their skipper in the first over courtesy of a smart caught and bowled, immediately throwing the ball away in agony having used his fractured finger to cling on. Along with Davo (1-25), Kai picked up his rewards from good bowling in the previous 2 weeks to take 4-29 and chip through the top order. Unsurprisingly, the pitch was slow and offering substantial turn and bounce, allowing Pooley (3-20) and Ash (2-14) to clean up the tail and bowl Bexley out for 88. A solid fielding performance from ODs, exemplified by a tricky catch from Max Morgan on debut, and tea was taken with cautious optimism.
Despite scepticism from last week’s correspondent, the skipper stuck with his pinch hitter theory, considering that going hard against the seamers in the powerplay might be the best way to whittle down the total. And this was a triumph! Rakesh played some tremendous shots on his way to 25, and ODs were 31-0 in 5 overs. And then it all went horribly wrong.
Richard was lbw for 7, and left arm spin was introduced at the other end. With the ball spitting and bouncing, the remaining 60 runs looked a long way off. Rakesh soon perished, and was swiftly followed by the entire middle order. Particular lowlights were Cameron skying a catch to cover and Ash picking out the solitary man on the legside boundary. Sanders had taken 10 overs to get off the mark, but with Pooley digging in stoutly, ODs hopes were briefly restored as they added 15 for the 8th wicket. But things were over quickly once the skip was adjudged lbw [censored] and Davison and Kai were caught behind.
63 all out, meaning ODs had 10-32 in 19 overs, including 5 ducks and with numbers 5-11 contributing the princely total of 3 runs.
The ghost of Loring Hall remains unvanquished for another year, but with the 2s still comfortably sitting in mid-table, a match-up against unbeaten Holmesdale presents an opportunity to get the season back on track.
Match Report by Laurence Sanders
3rd XI v Beckenham
A lose toss, bowl first didn't seem like much of a problem. The 3's had a strong line up and the deck looked lively. Sadly though, it proved not to be.
Hall and Thomas opened up and the first three overs went by without scoring. Beckenham's dual left hand partnership though soon got going and despite a fair few plays and misses, came through the first 10 overs without much of a scare.
Harrison Modeste and Big Al were up next and though the scoring was hard to come by, the openers were still resolute. At drinks Beckenham were 75 for 0 and set to push. However, Captain Fantastic (Colby Snr) brought himself on and finally broke them, a peach of a delivery starting outside off and hitting leg, no wonder the batsman looked confused. Bill Rouse then took out the other, caught by Colby and OD's thought they were away. A third leftie though took the attack to OD's, with a range of drives, pulls and ramps. At the other end, wickets fell regularly, with Al taking a catch off of Howard, Colby repeating his catching trick with Billy who also got a bowled and Hally taking three caught and bowled (a looper, a skier and a lowie).
When all was done though, Beckenham had an imposing double Nelson (222) for OD's to chase.
Hugo Jones and Sherry departed early, with Colby looking fluent for 21 until he mishit a simple one to cover. Aswin Nair and Anmol though, began the recovery and took the game back to Beckenham. Anmol departed for an increasingly fluent 32, bringing in Craig Westmacott who ran expertly with Aswin putting the run rate back on track.
Unfortunately though, Craig was run out (23) sneaking a run too far and Ash was snared for a superb 72. With the run rate climbing, the last four batsmen didn't trouble the book and OD's were left 40 runs short.
All in all a close game, with OD's needing one more batsman to perform in order to swing the game, but a decent bonus point haul meant that the fight was worth it.
Match report by Andy Hall
4th XI v Bexleyheath
Make the oppo hate every minute!
The chat before the match was AI version of the Colesy's motivating text. Let's be perfectly clear, no AI could ever improve on a message from the Bard of Bromley. The absence of profanity shows that AI has much learning to do.
Now is not the time to debate the AI and intellectual property. What is clear is that so far this season the 4th XI are copyrighting wins with contributions from all members of the team.
Having negotiated that we'd bowl first, we were on it from ball one. Billy Ansar's short run gave him more control, and he had the ball zipping around at a lively pace, and bowling at and outside off peg meant Rousey could set a good 7-2 field. Olly from the other end was similarly inspired . From the start most of the oppo's runs came from uncontrolled nicks to the very short third man boundary. This facet of the innings did not change at all.
We thought Olly had broken through, bowling the opener with a full toss that was then called a no-ball. We did not dwell on the injustice but set about constricting the batsmen with ring fields, tight bowling and tigerish fielding. On a slightly tricky outfield it was for once the mis fields that stood out for their rarity.
A tidy start from OD CUACO saw the oppo near strokeless at 30 off ten. Asa Smith took over from Billy and immediately the mood changed. Maintaining the same good lines Bexleyheath were reduced to wild slashes which rarely made contact. Finally, Asa broke through. Michael Boyden snaffled a good grab at gully and then Asa produced a snorter edged to Rousey. The number four was bowled neck and crop and still Asa hadn't conceded a run. Of the nine maidens in the innings, Asa bowled 6 of them. Three were wicket maidens.
Time to change. Sawko came on the was edged for six, Steelo was less than his miserly norm and it took the return of Oliver Arratoon to take two wickets at the other end, one to another good catch from Boyden.
Some good running from Bexleyheath in the last 8 overs dragged their total up to 135.
Determined to stop the Rouse resurgence, Steelo and Sawko went to umpire in determined fashion. Rouse kept middling the ball so giving him out LBW stretched even their imagination. Once again, the fielding side were denied the wicket of an opening bat by an umpire, and once again nothing was made of it by the fielding side!!! Slowly. Carefully. The oppo hating every ball. The innings progressed. 35 off ten. 85 at drinks. Both openers hitting more boundaries, Rousey even hit a six (another top edge). Luke was harsh on the short ball both asides of the wicket and played some classy front foot shots too.
Rousey was pugnacious. His focus not disturbed by the drinks break and fag, and progressed untroubled to a good fifty when he had an attack of cramp and retired hurt. James Gillin got a good one from young Maxted but Dan Brown and Luke saw us home in the twenty seventh over.
We were the better side on the day, but made the real difference was our attitude. Bexleyheath did not believe. The strokelessness of much of their innings was down to a lack of a plan, as much as Asa's fine spell.
We were ready for them, waiting for the batters' conference before we could bowl. They did not want the fight. We revelled in it.
That was the biggest difference on the day.
Make the oppo hate every minute.
Match report by David Steele
T20 XI v LPBS
OD's T20 XI kicked off the weekend in style with a confident 38-run victory over Langley Park School under the Friday evening sun at Park Langley.
After winning the toss (a trend we're hoping becomes a habit), skipper Will East opted to bat first. The innings was built around a fluent 53 from Koot Pienaar, who struck nine boundaries and a maximum in a classy knock that anchored the innings. He was well supported by Oliver Jasper (19) and Chris Webster (17 off 11) who kept the scoreboard ticking.
Despite a late flurry of wickets, ODs managed to post a competitive 144-5 from 20 overs, with useful contributions from Louis Boyden (10*) and Daniel Baylis (10). Extras also chipped in generously with 17, as Langley Park struggled for discipline with the ball.
OD's bowlers were clinical from the outset. Alex Davison set the tone with a fiery opening spell, claiming 2 for 3 from 3 overs, including a maiden and two early breakthroughs. Andrew Hall followed up with a miserly 3-over spell for just 5 runs and a wicket, while Ashwani Arora kept things tight through the middle overs and picked up a deserved scalp.
Langley Park never really recovered from the early collapse and, despite a resilient 43* from Charlie Neil and 22* from Max Morgan, they were restricted to 106-4 from their 20 overs.
The fielding was sharp, with smart catches from Will East and Dan Baylis helping maintain control throughout.
Thanks to everyone that came down to watch, and especially those that helped the game go ahead including umpires, scorers and those on the all important bbq!
Sunday XI v The Covenant CC
OD’s Sunday XI faced a narrow defeat against The Covenant CC in a friendly fixture at Park Langley, with the visitors chasing down the target with four wickets in hand.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, ODs posted a total of 144 for 5 in their allotted 35 overs. The innings was anchored by Koot Pienaar, who remained unbeaten on 51, and Louis Boyden, who contributed 41 runs. Richard Loader added a quick 14 not out towards the end. Despite these efforts, the team faced challenges in accelerating the run rate, partly due to tight bowling from The Covenant's attack.
In response, The Covenant CC reached the target in 34.4 overs, finishing at 145 for 6. OD's bowlers made early inroads, with wickets from Robin East, Will East, Ollie Arratoon, Tom Lake, and Ashwani Arora. However, a resilient 46 not out from Baljinder Verma and a supporting 16 not out from Pranav Patel guided the visitors to victory.
Midweek XI v Cudham Wyse
ODs came out on top in a tight contest, chasing down 189 to win by two wickets with just under six overs to spare.
Chris Webster's knock of 90* was the highlight of the chase , backed up by Ashwani Arora’s 40 in a key partnership. Earlier, Ashwani and Asa Smith both took three wickets apiece, helping restrict Cudham Wyse to a manageable total.
Junior Results
Fantasy Cricket
Welcome to the 2025 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!
Communications - OD CUACO WhatsApp Announcements Group
Join our ODs WhatsApp Announcements group! By scanning the below 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.
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.
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