OLCC v. The Presidents XI
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Posted 29/06/06:
The President's festival day deteriorated into a proper game of cricket at Leighton Park on Sunday. The hordes gathered early to set-up PA systems and televisions for the multi-media extravaganza that was to follow.
Leader of the OLCC, Phil Samuels won the toss and made the strange decision to bowl first on what looked like a belter of a track with just a hint of green.
Dowdell and Allan opened the batting. Tom Carter was bowling a very full length which allowed the ball to swing, with a couple of beamers thrown in for a bit of variation. He cleaned up Dell-Boy early on with a very full outswinger. Allan and Goof then scored at a good lick with some powerful cover driving from Goof catching the eye. Allan then lobbed one to Acland-Hood off Phil for 25 . The scoring rate was good but wickets were falling, mainly to Shack as usual - He went back to the top of the all-time OL wicket takers with 4 for 44. RNP had been up there for all of a week ! Tom Gillmor couldn't continue his superlative run of form and was out for 10 chipping one vertically. Only his second dismissal of the season for an aggragate of 216 runs in OL matches.
It was left to Dayalan to shore things up. He batted sensibly. His cut shot was in the groove and Bibby was feeding it.
Things were looking dicey until a lively late partnership from Ed and Den Carter took the total to a respectable 258.
Phil chose Andrew Moss and John Acland-Hood to open the batting for the OLs. They carefully weathered the opening bowling from Tedley and Goof. John offered one chance to 1st slip, but it was waved through for 4, much to the annoyance of the bowler. Once the opening attack was seen off, all bowling came alike to Moss and Hood. Will Budge bowled a tidy spell in his first game for the OLs, swinging the ball both ways, but in general their progress was relentless. The remonstrations of the President fell on deaf ears, no mercy was shown. When both batsman retired on 100 within 10 minutes of each other, the game was as good as over. Robin Denselow became the only wicket of the innings, chipping one from Best to Dayalan at short extra cover. The only remaining excitement was a loud appeal by Simon Best, asking if Will Denselow had hit the ball twice. He hadn't, and it was left to Will and Fluffy to hit the remaining few winning runs. The 1st OLCC win in this fixture.
The teams wandered from the field and were very happy to drink to the health of the President with the Champagne and beer that he had kindly provided.