TOUR OF DUTY: THE DE-BRIEF

01/09/03: The OLCC returned winless from their 22nd annual West Country Tour despite some good cricket and superb joviality.

The tour began with a draw at Uplyme, with the OLCC finishing up on 165-8 after the hosts had rattled up 209-8dec in 40 overs, in which guest player Charlie Beer took 3 for 10.

John Acland-Hood (73) was the mainstay of the tourists' reply, while fellow opener Chris Straw (12*) returned from being struck by a bouncer to ensure a draw at the close.

Defeat followed at Sherborne on Wednesday, as the OLs collapsed to 156 all out after winning the toss, Phil Samuels (38) and guest Tom Carter (30) offering the main contributions. The home side took just 24.4 overs to knock off the runs for the loss of two wickets (both to Richard Newell Price).

The OLCC came close to victory at Axminster on Thursday under Ed Carter's captaincy (he became the first honorary member to captain the club) but only just failed to bowl the Wessex Stags out.

Dominic Beer (52) and Chris Straw (30) laid a solid foundation before Tom Carter blasted 86 off 65 balls to allow his elder brother to declare on 220-8. Julian Shackel then woke from his slumber to register outstanding figures of 20-12-36-4 but even he could not take the last two vital wickets as the hosts closed on 180-8.

A third draw followed on Friday as the OLs fell short in their run chase at Ditcheat after the villagers recovered from 99-6 to declare on 181-7, although they needed 50 overs to reach their total. Geoff Samuels took 3-35 (the same figures as he had recorded at Uplyme) to move to a personal best of 21 wickets for the season.

John Acland-Hood again proved to be the key player, making an excellent 74 before becoming part of a late collapse that was only stemmed by last pair Ed Carter (10*) and Ed Sugden (4*), who steered the visitors to 165-9 and safety.

Full details of all the joviality, including the winners of the Tour Joker and Tortoiseless Trophy, can be found by clicking here.

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