RAIN HALTS FEARLESS FRANK
04/07/04: Geoff Samuels hit his first half-century for the OLCC but rain prevented the chance of a victory over Holyport.
The OLs had been set a target of 205 to win in their 40 overs and Samuels (54*) guided them to 103 for two after 22 overs before play was halted by a downpour.
Fielding first after skipper Jon Shingles won the toss, the OLCC made an early breakthrough when Richard Newell Price claimed a crafty caught-and-bowled, then maintained the pressure with good bowling and fielding to restrict Holyport to 57 for one from 19 overs.
But Messina (93) and Price (30) started to attack and put on a stand of 110 before Ed Carter struck when the latter played on, then claimed his second wicket as Cox (0) offered a straightforward chance to Chris Straw at point.
Messina continued his counter-attack before Samuels bowled him with a slower ball seven runs short of his century but Thompson (12 before having to retire hurt), Rolls (12*) and Davies (13) continued to pile up the runs, though James Craig removed the latter in the last over, caught behind by Tom Gillmor.
The OL reply began at a steady four runs per over and John Acland-Hood was just starting to get into his stride but then fell for 20, bowled off his pads by Head as he attempted to pull through midwicket.
Andrew Moss followed with the score on 50, caught for nine after skying one off Rolls, but Samuels carried the attack to the visiting bowlers and it was with a trademark straight six that he passed his previous highest score for the OLs (47) and posted his first fifty.
Samuels was 54 not out and Shingles unbeaten on six when the rain came down, and after half an hour watching the precipitation it was agreed to call it a day.
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