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1st XI - Match Reports
1st XI vs Bexley - Saturday 7th June 2008Orpington 147 all out (48.5 overs) Bexley - 86 all out (40.2 overs - S.Ingram 4/30) Orpington won by 61 runs After last weeks first league victory there was more than an air of optimism going into the game at Bexley, scene of our greatest day last September. Heavy rain all week meant a very damp and slow outfield and no doubt limited the preparation time the groundsman had on the wicket as that too looked damp and slow. If anyone has a double headed coin please lend it to Robbo and he lost his 7th consecutive toss, Bexley somewhat predictably asked us to bat though it was clear the wicket wouldn't improve and if we could get a score then we might fancy our chances. What we needed was a good solid start - but Pabs lost his poles once again in the opening over which brought Sanj to the crease. He and Oz were going well until Oz got trapped on his crease and the finger went up. Wess and Wattsy batted well, Wess smashing two sixes the first of which travelled a very long way and without the intervention of a large tree would probably have landed somewhere near Crayford, but both got out when going well and we found ourselves 70-5 and in trouble. No-one knows more than us that we are more than capable of getting rolled for 90 from this position so it was pleasing that the lower order batted sensibly and got us up to a very reasonable total of 147. Wess top scored with 34, Wattsy 21 and useful contributions from Schmitty, Pierre and Yamma who reminded us (and probably himself) than he can still hold a bat. A good start was required with the ball, and that's exactly what happened. Yamma, who seems to be bowling as well this season as he has at any time in his life, picked up Babar albeit somewhat fortunately caught behind, Vinnie Wells approached the chase as if they needed 10 an over and he was well caught at mid off by Wess, and a superb pick up from Sanj to run out Mysey without facing a ball left Bexley reeling at 11-3. Bexley regrouped and put on 30 for the 4th wicket until Pabs held onto the most unbelievable catch I can recall that turned it back in our favour. A Schmitty long hop was pulled hard to Pabs standing a short mid wicket and he grasped one that 99 times from 100 he wouldn't even see until it was past him. That gave us extra belief and momentum and a combination of Yamma and Wattsy made light work of the middle and lower order to leave us one wicket short of victory with Bexley still needing 75 runs. It took a while for us to finally wrap things up but the Angry Spinner lured Richards into a false shot with a swing and a miss and it confirmed an OCC 20 points. Yamma is clearly getting fed up with buying jugs as he settled for 4 this week, Wattsy and Schmitty grabbed 2 a piece. It was a painfully slow track but there was good application from the batters and bowlers bowled with great control that applied plenty of pressure and forced false shots. Bexleys 30 minute post match stewards enquiry summed up their disappointent but unfortunately for them they caught us on a good day - somehow we always seem to raise our game for Bexley, no idea why ! A fantastic performance that merited a few celebratory beers, and we all know the beers tasts that much better after a win ! Two wins on the spin and we're now clear of safety (13 weeks of rain would be good) but that can change very quickly and we have a huge game next week with Tenterden visiting. Horse • Back to top |
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