Newsletter #4
- odcuacoweb
- Jun 6
- 10 min read
TOUR 2025 - All Welcome!
Welcome back to Tour for 2025. We will be returning to Norwich from Sunday 27th to Wednesday 30th July with 3 matches and 3 nights away as usual. Hoping costs will be low and in the region of £200 per person for a full tour or circa £75 per night (depending on how many people come, how early we can book etc.)
If you are interested in coming, please could you register your interest by joining the new WhatsApp group (see link below)
It is important for us to know rough numbers at this stage to set bookings and costs. The more people we get locked in now, the more money we can save, and the more we can keep costs down.
We need to move quickly with bookings, so please do so by Sunday 8th June. Follow this link to join the Tour WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DyzygKOxXz35QerhS7UpOc
Welcoming Himbleton CC on Tour to ODs next Sunday 15th June
Next Sunday sees us welcome Himbleton in the first match of their 2025 tour. Old boy Stuart Dickinson and his club Himbleton were superb hosts for us for a number of years when we toured Stratford-upon-Avon and Worcester, and now its our turn to show them a good time! We've enjoyed many a sunny (and rainy) day at Himbleton, from scones, paddling pool jumps, to boozy boozeys and many a lap...
Please make yourselves available for the fixture, and come along and support if not.
The Smith's will be cooking their famous Paella for everyone at 5pm on the Sunday, and that's not something to miss!
Sunday Morning Coaches
Our Junior section is thriving, and number have grown significantly this year. We are on the look out for more coaches on Sunday morning's to help to give the quality coaching that our juniors deserve! Please make yourselves available, and contact Craig Westmacott if you'd like to help out.
Advertising Space on Scoreboard
Our new scorebox has provided some great space for sponsors to advertise. We have one space remaining on the bottom right of the scorebox (see the picture to the right).
If you are interested in filling this space, please contact Andy Rouse.
Picture of the Week
1st XI v Sidcup
A first lost toss of the season by skipper Webster saw ODs bowl first on what looked like a good surface. It had however been undercover and sweated overnight, so there was hope of early movement and a chance to rattle through the Sidcup top order.
Kieran Hammond opened up, and following a first ball wide, was duly dispatched for 6 first legal ball of the innings with a ridiculous shot over extra cover. A sign of what was to come? Thankfully not.
Kieran took the first wicket caught mid on before Dan Baylis dismissed the number 3 with a nip back LBW in his first over. Bowling changes throughout the innings seemed to work a dream, with wickets falling in the first over of spells a huge five times. The skipper can claim this was genuis, although it did take until the 12th ball of Nick Worsley's first over to take his wicket.
The Sidcup overseas, and captain, Pranav Dhanawade became world famous 3 years ago for swatting a load of poor Indian school children for a 1,000 run innings. Thankfully, Nick's 12th delivery, and 6th straight delivery of the over was enough for Dhanawade to hit a catch to a safe hands Cameron at mid-off. A huge wicket that saw him end 991 runs shy of his personal best score, and quite possibly saving ODs from the world's biggest Net Run Rate hit.
Following this, the skipper brought himself back on and got the stubborn left handed opener caught by Mike Parr, who's audition for the "most improved" fielding award continued with two run outs on the day while prowling in the covers (a term less-oft associated with him).
Wickets were shared around these run outs and some lower order resilience from the Sidcup 7 as Dan Webster (1-37), Koot Pienaar (1-1) Kieran Hammond (2-30) and Chris Webster (2-31) rounded off the wickets to bowl Sidcup out for 172,
Batting started with a slight change. In recognition of the Sidcup spin attack, the aim was for James Sims to open up and be 'positive' in the powerplay. This certainly happened in two counts. Firstly, the run rate, with Sims scoring 27 off 15 balls, and secondly through him laughing as the ball raced through the skips for four for a third occasion.
Parr fell shortly after to leave Koot and Nick at the crease, who batted in contrasting styles with Koot trying to swipe every ball to the boundary, and Nick not trying to score at all. Both fell shortly after drinks to leave a pair of Websters at the crease before they decided that must be way too complicated for the scorers to track and having a mix up run out coming back for a second with 70 runs to win still.
Thankfully the rash Webster was run out and steady head Dan remained, and along with Joe, they steered ODs close to the target before Joe and then Cameron were dismissed.
Will East then came in to hit the winning run (which he refused to run), and then got dropped trying to hit a four to win the game instead. Thankfully, it was third time lucky and he did so, and ODs crossed the winning line to win by 3 wickets.
An away win and up to second in the table!
MoM - Dan Webster - For a much-needed calm batting display in the chase.
DoD - Dan Baylis for falling through a garden chair on the sidelines.
VPCOM - Cameron Sanders - For saving ODs 991 runs by catching out their overseas.
Match report by Chris Webster
2nd XI v Holmesdale
The toooos had some battle wounds from Loring Hall the previous week, playing on a surface reflecting day 124 in Mumbai, instead being played on a cold windy day in Bexley. Skipper Gaz had clearly moved on from the batting collapse last week, only mentioning it 13 times throughout the day. We also knew Gazball was on against Holmesdale this week, when the extra boundary rope had found its way on the ground. Holmesdale 2s are clear favourites to win the league this year, especially with their 1s back in the Prem.
The message from Gaz at the warm up, 'Have fun'. Here is an equation for the day...
Big boundaries + Unbeaten Oppo + Hottest Day of the Year So Far + Rapid Outfields + Playing with Kai and his Twin (Isaac) back from Uni + Return of Harrison Modeste into the 2s = 'Days Like These'
Important toss for the skippers. It was Gaz vs Dan Webster's Lookalike from Temu, in a showdown of the 2s captains. Gaz triumphantly won the toss and happily proceeded to state, "We will have a bat pleeeeasssse". Gaz (51) and Richard (4) kicked off proceedings seeing the new ball off. Rich unfortunately fell to the surprise straight ball, after a chain of wides for the second opening bowler. This starting the Partnership of the Garys.
Gary (76) stuck in and scored at a good rate, running hard in the heat with Gaz, so much so pulling a grain in the process. After a mid-game yoga session and some limpy singles, the injury scare was avoided. The Partnership of the Garys added another 124 runs to the total, until Gaz departed. It was the turn of the young guns. Tom Lake (34*), Kai's Twin (6) and Rohan Bridges (11*) helped see ODs to a competitive total of 210 - 4 from their 45 overs. Now to the bowlers...
It was always going to be a tough task, and one that required some quick breakthroughs with resilience. The quick breakthroughs, however, did not happen so quickly. The oppo openers provided resistance to the ODs openers Baldy (9-1-37-0) and Isaac's Twin (9-0-38-2). Both put in a solid effort with the ball to keep the openers to a respectable run rate, not yet out of control. In a weekend of returns, we see Barnsley's own Harrison Modeste (4-0-20-0) return to the tooos after a 4-year absence, bringing the team total of left arm bowlers to 4, which surely should be against the rules?
The spinners society came into the attack. Pooley's (9-0-50-2) drag downs and away swingers were not enough to break the partnership or keep the run rate down. The two left arm spinners Lake (2.4-0-27-0) and Ash (9-1-30-2) had differing impacts on the run rate, therefore requiring the return of seam. Issac's twin provided the breakthrough, and ended the 155 first-wicket partnership with one of a few Lakey catches of the day. Then the excitement really started...
After a couple more wickets for Kai and Ash, Kai's Twin (1-0-9-1) brought on to shake thing up and reminded us why he is indeed a Loader by taking and unbelievable one-handed catch off his own bowling. The frogbox clip may find itself on Instagram soon, if not already! Within another Ash wicket and Pooley burgling another 2, another show of the young guns provided a run out from Rohan from the boundary, after a risky 2nd run being attempted. This is the definition of 'not to that arm champ'.
Holmesdale now 8 down and only 5 runs to win, losing 8 wickets for 51 runs. Could it be happening? Would we pull this off? A close chance for the 9th slipped through the hands of Ash, as a plinked skier off Pooley went swirling through his hands. It then unfortunately went the wrong way after the winning runs being hit a couple of overs later.
A lot of positives to take from the day. Brilliant batting partnership between Gaz and Gary, and some young guns making a name for themselves in the middle order. Bowlers and fielders stayed patience and resilient, and took the the league favourites to the end.
Great signs for the future of the tooos and the club.
Match Report by Liam Pooley
3rd XI v Old Colfeians
Chris Colby won the toss on a sultry afternoon and had no hesitation to bat first. Louis Boyden (10) and Aswin Nair (40) opened and started watchfully with the occasional sparkling stroke. Despite some wayward lines, the intermittent ‘nut’ was enough to bowl Louis and Chris Colby (0), leaving ODs in a precarious position at 34/2 in 10 overs. Peter White (36) rebuilt with Aswin and gradually accelerated to get to a strong position at 90/2 at 20 overs; highlights included a number of boundaries through cover from both batters, and a swish flick for six by Aswin over deep mid-wicket.
Wickets tumbled post drinks, including Aswin, Pete, Anmol Passamola (9) and Rakesh Posam (7), which left Abhishek Patel (20) and Craig Westmacott (11) to rebuild. Both departed shortly after the 30th over, but this opened the door for a magnificent cameo from Max Morgan (23*), which included a six straight down the ground in the penultimate over. Billy Rouse (4) and Howard Thomas (1*) offered able support, leaving ODs with a par score of 175/9 in 40 overs.
Howard Thomas (9-2-26-2) and Billy Rouse (7.3-0-34-1) started economically and removed both openers and the number 4 in quick time. Rakesh Posam (9-0-35-0) and Max Morgan (9-0-40-2) continued adding pressure, such that Old Colfeians were only 56/3 at the 20 over mark.
However, we clearly offered the opposition number 3 too much juice at drinks, as he came back and duly thwacked 7 sixes on his way to 80; by the time he was dismissed, the bulk of the run scoring had been done, and despite some tight bowling towards the death, Old Colfeians waltzed over the line with 3 balls to spare. Ultimately that innings was the difference on an otherwise tacky Jubilee Ground pitch where 160 is usually a good score – nevertheless, there were many good performances to build on in our next fixture.
Match report by Abhishek Patel
4th XI v Bexley
OD CUACO 4th XI faced a challenging outing against Bexley CC 5th XI at Hartley Country Club on Saturday, ultimately falling short by 53 runs in a spirited Kent Cricket League Division 13 Underwood contest.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bexley CC posted a competitive total of 227 for 6 in their allotted 40 overs. Their innings was bolstered by a solid top-order performance, with key contributions from batters 2 and 5. OD CUACO's bowlers toiled hard, with Felix Jones taking two wickets, while Steve Sawko, Asa Smith and Enoch Pasamolla took one each. Despite their efforts, Bexley's batting depth and a generous 39 extras conceded by OD CUACO allowed the visitors to set a formidable target.
In response, OD CUACO's chase got off to a shaky start, losing early wickets and struggling to build momentum. Freddie Sweeting provided some resistance with a well-crafted 40, and Imran Gill added a valuable 26. However, regular wickets and tight bowling from Bexley, kept the pressure on. Despite a fighting effort, OD CUACO managed 174 for 9 in their 40 overs, falling short of the target.
Match report by Noah Wun
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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