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Sunday 1st XI - Match Reports
1st XI vs Old Elthamians/Granby - Sunday 12th June 2005Orpington 251-7 (40 ovs.) Old Elthamians/Granby 213-7 (40 ovs.) Orpington Won by 38 runs. On a weekend where there had already been three hundreds, and two 5-wicket hauls, another ton was added to the collection. That person shall go unnamed for now, so read on to find out who it was… It was Clive's birthday, so he was allowed to captain sort of. A little help from Gordon, Bubbs and Pete Smith was needed, but the result of the game is all that matters really, and we won. Although it didn't start too well, as he lost the toss, and we were put into bat. I will not have anyone criticise the pitch on the bottom square from now on, as it has recently turned into a road! 464 runs in 80 overs is pretty impressive. And the opening pair of Bobby Jones and Ben Clarkson took full advantage of this, putting on a partnership of 55 in no time at all. Knocking the opening bowlers out of the attack. But it unfortunately, all good things come to an end at some point, and the end came as Bobby pulled a short ball straight into mid-wicket's hands. This brought Joe Greenly to the wicket to join Ben. They kept up the good run rate, and it was still comfortably over 6, nearly 7. They batted well together, running hard, and putting the fielders under pressure. The bowling was pretty accurate for the majority, and even the re-introduction of the opening bowler could not halt them. Ben brought up his half-century in about the 14th/15th over. The score was 130-1 at drinks, and the OCC were well on top. Ben on 80, Joe on 20-odd. The idea was just to carry on at the same rate, with 260 the target when they assessed it. They carried on for a while, but then Joe perished the same way as Bob, pulling a short ball straight into mid-wicket's hands. This brought in George, and he was obviously nervous, as the stains on the back of his trousers showed. Ben was on 91, and a maiden senior century was on the cards. Two full tosses from the left-arm spinner helped as they were both hit through the covers for 4. So 99 it was, the left-arm spinner came up to bowl, the ball was slightly down the leg side, and Ben worked it away for a single to bring up a brilliant ton. But unfortunately George then got out next ball to a top-edge. So it was left to the skipper and Ben to up-the-ante, and they did just that. A partnership of 40 it double-quick time, before Ben finally perished in the 36th over for a magnificent 128. Trying to put a full toss over mid wicket for 6, didn't quite get it in the middle of the bat, and was caught on the boundary. For the final few overs wickets fell, and plenty of runs were scored. I won't go into detail. But I have to mention Andy Lane's sweep shot. It was probably the best sweep shot in the history of cricket, and it managed to get Clive (umpiring at square leg) right on the ankle, as he deflected it for 4. The crowd enjoyed the moment, naturally. The OCC ended with 251, a good score. Andy and Sam Clarkson opened the bowling, and both bowled well. Andy especially, as he was very unlucky not to get more than 1 wicket. Despite Joe's best efforts at cheating. But, there was one bloke who was threatening to win the game for the oppo, before Gordon came on. He removed him after a good catch by Greenly at deep mid-off. And Gordon also removed the batsman at the other end. Greenly also took 2 wickets of his own, both caught by Pagey at mid-off. Yes, that's right - caught by Pagey!!! Have-a-game Jones got a wicket, bowling from the top end. Opened the batting, and bowled 7 overs. The run-rate was fast spiralling out of reach for Old Elthamians, and as the game was all-but safe, Clive was brought on to bowl the last over from the top end. What followed was even more amazing than Pies' 2 wickets against Hayes. He settled into a nice line and length, so that on the second bounce it nearly yorked the batsman… After a couple of balls like that he decided it was time for the slower ball. Possibly the worst disguised slower ball in history, as he ran up, stopped, and brought his arm over almost in slow motion. The batsman wasn't fooled, but tried to hit it too hard and lobbed it up in the air. Then even more amazingly, Clive went and caught it!!! It made a lovely thudding sound into his chest… So that was that, a good skippering performance by Clive, and Ben making the best century the club has ever seen… A very successful weekend for the OCC. 4 wins and a draw. Report: Ben Clarkson • Back to top |
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