OLs FAIL IN RUN CHASE

04/05/03: The OLCC got their 27th season under way with a 20-run defeat in an entertaining match at Woodhouse Eaves.

Despite winning the toss OL skipper David Bibby invited the hosts to bat first - a decision that appeared vindicated as Geoff and Phil Samuels stormed in to reduce Woodhouse Eaves to 40-5.

However an excellent sixth-wicket stand of 120 shifted the balance of the game and when tea arrived at 4.45pm the home side had made 196 for 8 from 50 overs. Geoff Samuels took 5 for 23, while brother Phil took the other three wickets to fall for 33 runs.

The OLCC reply began stutteringly as umpire Ed Carter triggered father Graham, then Andrew Moss and Tom Gillmor followed him back into the hutch with only 33 on the board, of which Gillmor made a trademark booming 20.

The run chase continued at a reasonable pace but no batsman was able to build a big innings, Chris Straw ending up as top scorer with 27.

His dismissal at 152-9 left Geoff and Phil Samuels with 45 to get from 34 balls and they made good progress until Phil was caught in the deep to bring an end to an excellent day's cricket.

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