Match Report

OCCC v Ivanhoe, 18 April 2009

Our eagerly awaited first game of the season was the traditional fixture against Ivanhoe at the Vet college near South Mimms Services. At the toss, we had 8 players present - Rich Millett had tenant trouble and John & Junky had managed to get lost while bickering about who owed who money. Anyway, the decision was taken out of my hands when I lost the toss and was thankful to be asked to bat.

So, at a little after 2pm, Allan and Rich Hillman went out to bat. The pitch was damp and soft after all the rain in the week and immediately it was clear there was no pace in it with tennis ball bounce and big divots each time it pitched. But, it wasn't long before this did for poor Rich who was early on a pull shot allowing it to hit him in the stomach, and then next ball he managed to loop one to mid-on for a simple catch. In came Fahad and it was imperative the bowlers pitch it up but they didn't. Short stuff was mercilessly depatched around the ground. But the outfield was slow and damp also so they dealt mainly in 2's and 3's until Fahad managed to pound one through midwicket for the first of only 4 boundaries all innings.

Things carried on nicely until the 12th over when Allan managed to get the shoulder of the bat onto one which looped to the keeper. The score was now 40 for 2 - and cue a collapse. Yusuf went out to join Fahad, but a few balls later a comical run out ensued seeing Fahad on his way back to the pavilion for 18 and Steve striding out. But again, the slowness of the track meant that Steve looped his 3rd ball to square leg and back he came. I went out at 6 and lasted one ball - but what a ball it was. Full, swinging and far too good for me taking middle and leg stump. Back i went and it was 49 for 6.

Allan was his usual cheerful self complaining about everything and everyone with a negative attitude writing us off already. But he hadn't reckoned on Rich Millett. Out he went at No. 7 and set about stabilising the innings. Yusuf was out soon after though which saw Bill Barnes join Rich. They then played very sensibly and steadily, gradually ticking over the scoreboard. Rich began to open his arms a bit though and just after reaching 100 for 7, Bill was out for a valuable 15, shortly followed by John. Rich decided now was the time with only 3 overs left to try and push things a bit, but managed to run out Junky in the last over, and then swung at the last ball only to be caught behind for a well compiled 39 leaving us 114 all out from exactly 40 overs.

A good start and solid ending managed to give us something to bowl at and covered over the mid innings collapse! Tea was not bad - albeit a touch sparse. But then, I did get to the table after Junky which would explain why there were mainly crumbs left.

So, fed and watered, we went out to defend our low score. Yusuf and I opened the bowling, and I managed to strike first in my first over. First few balls were a bit erratic, but after the batsmen ran a Bye, the left hander was on strike. Last season, I took 9 left handed wickets with a mixture of pace and inswing, and today was no different. A full one outside off stump swung just a fraction, took the inside edge and slammed into the stumps.

Yusuf then got in on the act next over clean bowling the other opener with a peach. We both then bowled some good tight stuff and runs were hard to come by. At 40-2 after about 10 overs, Junky and Rich Millett replaced me and Yusuf and carried on with the tight bowling. Runs and chances were hard to come by and the score ticked agonizingly slowly along. After 5 overs of scrooge like bowling, Junky came off to be replaced by Tony.

After an obligatory wide, he was on the spot and bowled an immaculate spell. He got the next wicket bowling the No. 3, and shortly after Rich took the 4th wicket. Rich then bowled his last - and best over - an lbw appeal was successful, and he then clean bowled the new bat next ball. I replaced Rich and got the next wicket while Tony from the other end claimed another victim. Off the last ball from my spell, we effected an outstanding run out with the batsman taking on a suicidal second to Fahad's arm who pinged it in to Rich who whipped the bails off leaving them 80 for 9. Junky came back to replace Tony after a fine 6 overs and wrapped things up with a plumb lbw meaning we won by 34 runs.

Congratulations to everyone involved - even Allan who i've never heard as negative before. Fancy writing us off at 49-6 with our attack!

Now the moment we've all been waiting for...MOM award. With an innings saving 39, and 3 wickets it has to be Rich Millett. Well done mate. Hopefully there will be plenty more...

See you next week when we take on Hainault Road at Potters Bar.

OCCC 114 all out, 40 overs (Millett 39, Syed 18, Barnes 15, A Saldanha 15)
Ivanhoe 80 all out, 31.4 overs (Millett 3-16 (8 overs), Bennett 2-21 (8 overs), Sawell 2-22 (5 overs), Shannon 1-2 (5.4 overs), Ramzan 1-18 (5 overs))
Result: OCCC won by 34 runs
Man of the Match: Richard Millett

Alex Bennett