OECC 149 all out (35.1 overs) vs Old Roan 150 for 3 (36.4 overs)

Once again, the scene was set for a fantastic afternoon’s cricket with College Meadow a picture and the sun out to brighten up proceedings. Spirits were high with the might Conor and Ken making their long-awaited returns to 40 over cricket and the toss was won by Irv, who strode out to open with Keeran. Irv returned sooner than we would have liked and despite Keeran’s boundary heavy 30, both the openers were ‘back in the hutch before 10 overs were up. Vijay followed soon after and it was the old-timers at the crease again. Hammond and Nicholls steadied the ship before Hammond got an absolute beaut – bowled playing an actual defensive shot. Jonny remained and joined by Rikin continued to tick the board over. Sadly, Rikin fell for 10, then Conor, whose mid-wicket shot had earned him 6 runs in double quick time discovered that it didn’t work on every ball and we were just over 100, with over ten overs left and the one-legged Jon Doyle hobbling out to bat (dodgy calf). At this point, Jonny and Jon seem to have decided to aim for 6 quick singles an over – an interesting strategy with Jon unable to run (no jokes please). Jon went and he was quickly followed by Praveen, cruelly run out for none. Vik kept Jonny company for a couple of overs before falling to a straight one, but it was ok – we had Ken at 11 – our best number 11 for a long while – batting there due to his late (very late) call up. Ken looked great and Jonny reached a well-earned 50, before playing a magnificent straight drive that brushed the bowler’s finger on the way through to the stumps at the other end- yep -you guessed it – Ken had backed up a long way and it was over – probably denying these two another 25 or so off the remaining 5 overs. Luck took those runs that it turned out might make all the difference.
Chicken Palace did a great job at the interval of covering our fielders’ hands with grease (can you guess what’s coming) and the King of innovative captaincy implemented his masterplan. Spin from both ends for the first 34 overs seemed mad, but it worked an absolute treat. Fantastic full allocations from Conor (1-28), Jon (1-26) and Jonny (0-24) really put the stop on the scoring rate. The required rate crept up to 5, then 5 and a half an over and OEs, with amazing ground fielding sensed an opportunity. However, Chicken Palace’s teatime work probably cost us as inexplicable drops saw three 99% chances go to ground and we simply couldn’t break their 4th wicket partnership. Riding their luck a little, these two saw Old Roan home, and condemned OEs to another defeat – its ok though, hope is already building for 2023 – we will be unstoppable!

MOM – Jonny Nicholls just pipping Ken
DOD – despite 3 honourable nominations for Ken and one for all of us, the clear winner was Nice airport’s ground staff (ask Bushy)
Mappy magic finger went to Vik
The Maidstone moment came as Hammer suggested we use a chicken bone to replace the bail that Conor’s hit wicket victim had just smashed
The Parikh positive race relations award went to Rikin
And finally, the amended since last year ‘Sustained period of slight squeeze’ award went to Conor, Jon and Jonny