RAIN SCUPPERS CUP HOPES
28/06/04: The OLCC exited the Brewers Cup at the first round stage, losing to Old Brutonians in a rain-affected match.
Despite the presence of star batsman Julian Wood, the OLs were only able to muster a total of 183 all out in 49.4 overs after skipper Paul Newell Price won the toss and elected to bat.
After two breaks for rain, the weather finally set in shortly before 6pm with the Old Brutonians on 138 for three from 34.4 overs, giving them a narrow victory on run rate.
Both teams and match officials observed a minute's silence for David Pollard before the game, which got under way promptly at 11am.
And the hosts made an excellent start, Charles Allan (27) and John Acland-Hood putting on 58 for the first wicket at nearly a run a ball, but soon both were back in the pavilion - Allan clean bowled and Acland-Hood after he played on to a ball that kept slightly low.
There was more bad news for the OLs just three overs later when Wood, who had moved smoothly to 12 with the aid of a massive six smashed off a full toss, was also bowled playing on, leaving the score on 78 for three.
Paul Newell Price and Jon Shingles started to rebuild with a stand of 31 but the latter fell for six when an attempted cover drive looped back up to the bowler for a simple return catch.
And further damage was done when the OLs lost Paul Newell Price, stumped as he tried to add to his 36, Jason Thomas, lbw for a second-ball duck, and James Berridge, who skied a full toss and fell for two to leave the innings teetering on 132 for seven just before lunch.
A further blow followed just after the interval, Richard Newell Price's patient 14 ending when he was bowled, but Adam Saker (10*) put on two vital partnerships with Phil Samuels (16) and Geoff Samuels (10) and the efforts of the three lower-order players helped the OLCC to 183 all out, Geoff Samuels the last man out two balls short of 50 overs.
With the required run rate only 3.68, it was imperative the OLs not only bowled and fielded well but also took wickets. Their efforts in the field were certainly of a high standard but wickets were not forthcoming, the unlucky Wood seeing a catch go down behind the stumps.
Tight bowling by Wood and Paul Newell Price kept a lid on the scoring but the Old Brutonians openers were able to make a stand of 82 for the first wicket, the breakthrough coming when Geoff Samuels was rewarded for a fine spell of bowling with the wicket of Hastings, caught by Wood for 37.
And it was Geoff Samuels again on target just after tea, trapping Stewart (51) lbw with a superb outswinger, to reduce the visitors to 106 for two in the 27th over.
Phil Samuels claimed a third Bruton wicket in the 35th over, having Fowlston (24) superbly caught by Acland-Hood, but his dismissal brought a very heavy shower that would ulitmately scupper the chance of any further play.
With the visitors totalling 138 for three at the time of the interruption, their superior run rate (3.94 as opposed to the OLCC's 3.66) meant they progressed to the second round.
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