Come along to the Springbok Social this Saturday! Koot will be in his element on the Brai, cooking up some South African treats, and we hope for some more surprises too!
As ever, best of luck to all those playing this weekend!
Chris Webster
Club Captain
Picture of the Week
Match Reports:
1st XI v Kings Hill
A day in the life of Mike Parr.
It’s 10.30, meet time is now. I’ve woken up to 20 missed calls from all the ones boys (#lads) apparently I’ve slept in because I’m with the female version of myself. Michelle Parr. After packing my kit quickly and pushing the speed limit I’m near Kings Hill. Chris phoned me at 11.15 and asked "Where the f*ck are you?" I answered "hello mate, was dropping miss Michelle Parr at the station (she’s a stunner), I’m around the corner. Chris hung up and called me a cu-something. I didn’t catch the last syllable because he hung up, clearly unhappy I was 45 minutes late for the meet time, or just upset I'm now taken #cuffme.
The boys have already played out a 1-0 thriller to the batsmen in football but sadly I missed it. Andy did the toss and told me I’m batting. I quickly padded up in my finest gear. However whilst I was padding up I lost a fight to the toilet door. With my black eye I picked up Hardick's bat which had 17.5 grains. Me and Koot strode out to the crease and I let Koot take 1. He saw off the first over. I took a wicked middle guard, scratched it thrice to leave a good mark for the boys. Then I faced my first ball, a good leave. A few balls later I was bowled. Was I I bowled round my legs, off stump, leg stump or middle? I don’t know to this day. All I know is that I thought one of the oppo called me a naughty word. After I made a complaint with the umpire they told me that they in fact said "Come on". I then shook hands with the bowler and the keeper and was on my way. I started unpadding, making sure to keep far away from that door as possible.
Once I came out from the changing room I found a seat with the boys. Koot and OJ knuckled down against the opening bowlers as I pondered if I should go do a lap or not. I decided against it and I got to see Koot bring up his fifty as I started chatting with the boys. I moved over to talk to Nick after Koot (69 #nice) got stumped, with us just past 100. Some great stories were exchanged and some ready salted Doritos were consumed as we ticked along, with Chris (42) and Joe (24) batting around Ollie who played a brilliant knock, falling eventually for 86. I was on hand the whole time to bring Ollie some water to make sure he was well hydrated. The lower order, in classic ODs fashion, were allergic to scoring runs (much like myself) and we finished on 280. In the panic of the tail collapsing, I lost another fight to an inanimate object, this time Dan Baylis’s pad hitting me with a hook to the other eye, leaving me 0-2 for the day.
We went out to field and I was immediately sent out to hug the boundary for most of the game. From afar I got to see Nick take an early wicket following a great catch from Boyden. Then things got a bit boring as they built a partnership, with one of their batters eventually tonning up. This was made even worse by the rain which slowly started to drizzle. Just as I was starting to get bored on the boundary I found myself a little cat on the boundary to keep me occupied. The little guy decided to wander onto the pitch so I went and picked him up, before fake throwing him off the pitch (don’t worry, no cats were harmed today!). I’d say this was my best bit of fielding all day.
Back to the match: we had taken a few more wickets, with poles being shared around. The rain continued and conditions were not favourable to stay out, but stay out we did. My favourite moment of the match then happened. After nick took a wicket, he asked what the DLS (rip) score was after the oppo, who were ahead before, were trying to get the umpires come off. The response he received from the player he just bowled was ‘to come meet him in the car park after’. The rain had really settled in now, causing it to be near impossible to grip the ball. It was all too little too late in the end and we lost.
After the game, I said I’d take Chris back to the club but instead I plugged in the satnav to "Home" and then tried to take him back to Cranbrook instead. Luckily I had a good Nandos back at the club which was the highlight of my day. What a way to spend a Saturday!
Match report by various members of the 1s squad at 2am
2nd XI v Orpington
Unusually, ODs lost the toss and were sent out into the field by Orpington. A below par start in the field meant the openers got a few boundaries away, punctuated only by Davo (2-36) dismissing their leftie for the second time of the season with a lovely away swinger that was nicked through to Cameron at slip (worth a view on frogbox). ODs switched to spin early, with Pooley taking another victim before Ash produced another classic, as their fluent opener fatally shouldered arms only to hear the death rattle for 38.
The game was now poised at 87-3 with their key player arriving at the crease, having smote a match-winning 65 in the reverse fixture. He immediately targeted Ash (4-43), striking 4 sixes agonisingly over the fielders to the (very short) boundary at long on. Hopefully a lesson well learned… Orpington built the scores effectively and had reached an imposing 150-3, with their sights on 250. Fortunately, Kieran (3-34) had other ideas and ODs took 3 wickets in 4 balls, before gradually running through the tail, including an excellent catch from Cameron making ground from long on.
188 all out represented an above-par score on a highly variable surface, but ODs had recovered well from the slow start to give themselves a chance.
Considering the new ball the best time to bat, Henry opened with Richard for the second week running, but could only manage one boundary before being caught at mid off. Sanders and Loader stabilised, but then lost Richard and Olly Colby quickly, leaving them in a highly perilous position at 21-3 (11).
Oscar joined the skipper and skilfully helped to recover the position, sweeping, cutting and pulling the Orpington spin attack. ODs had reached 83-3, needing 106 from 17 overs when Sanders carelessly chipped a catch to midwicket for 36. Orpington then applied the squeeze to the new batsmen, forcing the required rate upwards and chipping away with wickets. Following a cheeky reverse scoop for 4, Oscar was eventually dismissed for an excellent 44 and ODs hopes were dying. Ash (15*), Davo (11) and Kai (10) batted intelligently to ensure a second bonus point, prior to Kai being comically run out dodging the throw from long on only to find himself outside his crease as the ball clattered into the stumps. ODs finished on 161-9 from 45, 27 runs short.
A very winnable game awaits at Bexleyheath on Saturday and a chance to get back to winning ways.
Match Report by Laurence Sanders
3rd XI v Bexley
3rd XI v Bromley Common (only game from week before)
The weather had taken its toll on all the other games so it rested with the 3s to “do the honours” for ODs. As we travelled the long distance to our home ground at Hartley the weather was variously sunny, cloudy and chucking it down with rain. Conditions looked ominous when we arrived with the barman (“I came for 5 years, stayed for 20”) informing us that we were set for 4 hours of rain. That turned out to be bo&!?@ks/rubbish, soon the sun was shining and the covers came off to reveal a nice looking pitch with a decent covering of grass. A supposedly weak oppo and the prospect of a quick win and a return to ODs in time for the football meant win toss bat. The skipper duly obliged!
Howard (4-2-8-1) and Billy (5-1-6-2) opened the bowling and soon tore through the top order. c Rouse b Rouse started proceedings with a nasty half-tracker accounting for no 1. Billy was happier with his second wicket. A short ball plan sent the ball into the swirling skies at square leg where Abhi took a great catch on the move. Howard was too good for the number 3 beating him all ends up.
Next up Robin (4-1-7-2) and Simon (5-1-13-2) kept the pressure up and the run scoring down. Simon bowled the young number 4 who had hung around for a while without being able to get the ball off the square. The umpire kindly obliged with an LBW for my first wicket. A few overs later and I had another one after the batter played a massive wahoo missed the ball and was bowled. At this point the umpire informed me that “this team are awful, more like a 5th team”. Nothing to do with the bowling then. At this point the heavens opened, we rushed to get the covers on and crossed our fingers. Thankfully only 30 minutes was lost before we reassembled in bright sunshine, an eerie mist rising on the far outfield. One end of the wicket hadn’t been completely covered and it proved treacherous for pace bowlers so Simon switched to spin showing us another string to his bow. Very soon we turned to all spin as Rakesh (4.2-3-1-2) and Hugo (3-1-3-0) finished off the innings with more wickets and not many runs (44 all out).
After a quick turn around Abhi (13* SR92) and Chris (26* SR 108) went out to bat. Put simply they efficiently chased down the score in 6.5 overs. No panics although Abhi did produce a slightly unnecessary dive/knee-slide to delight the crowd. Back to the home of cricket in time for kick-off. Job done. Come on England!
Match report by Robin East
4th XI v Sidcup
Sunday Development v Old Wilsonians
On a pleasant Sunday, with no other major sporting events, everyone’s eyes were on Sunday Dev local derby match against Wilsonians. Captain Will East decided to lose the toss and let them enjoy the first crack at the Home of Cricket. It seemed like a crucial toss to win as Wilsonians raced away at the start with a flurry of boundaries before a vital slower ball (they all are) from Lucas Mackenzie got the first breakthrough. The typical Sunday squeeze was on! Tight bowling from Lucas and Will kept dragging the run rate down and put OD’s on top. A bowling return from Joe East and Dev debutant Tom Fox spun webs around the middle order taking frequent wickets. A well made 50 from Isaac’s uni mate (ooo friends) pushed OW’s over 200, a good score off 30 overs. Some good death bowling from Kai Bennett and Will restricted the total despite the pulling out of catching from some fielders. The second of said catches was followed by some creative language thrown their way(we won’t mention who didn’t catch it).
Just like the first innings, that new orange ball is the best time to take advantage. Rohan “butterfingers” Bridges (22 off 23) and Olly Colby (29 off 35) certainly saw it that way. Both pulled out extraordinary shots over cover and straight before we blessed with the return of Aaron White. Despite complaining of many bodily issues, he struck two glorious boundaries like he’d never been gone before repeating a third time only to be snagged caught and bowled. With the rate rising, OD’s needed 100 off 12 overs. Some clever rotation of the strike from Rahul Mehan, Joe and wicket keeper Isaac Loader kept the scoreboard ticking. With OW’s starting to get excited in the field, Joe and Isaac decided to stop giving them hope. Two sixes to the Loader zone and Joe hoik over cow set fire to the run chase. Boundaries were now flying! Some exquisite shots like Joe cutting the off spinning over the man at deep cover and Isaac whipping everything through the leg side made what looked like a tight game, into a breeze.
A brilliant all round display from a very young dev side. Excellent with the ball and in the field as well as a perfectly timed chase. Next up, the Bennett derby!
OW’s 208 (30)
J East 2-36
L Mackenzie 1-28
W East 1-29
K Bennett 1-35
OD’s 212-5 (27.3)
J East 67 (47)
I Loader 32 (24)
O Colby 29 (35)
R Bridges 22 (23)
Match Report by Joe East
U17s
How did we bat so badly? (with 2 exceptions)
As the season draws to a close there are many conflicts of interest that make it hard for us poor team managers! Do I hear violins? No, I thought not. This time it was the Langley Cricket Awards night. I did a deal with Bickley Park to change our away fixture to a home one and Mr Harris (Langley head of cricket) agreed the boys could turn up a little late to the awards as they were just next-door at OD’s.
We were without our captain so Rohan stood in. First objective achieved – win toss bowl! His plan was to get them all out for not a lot then smash off the chase quickly and get across to the school.
Second objective achieved - we got Bickley out for a gettable total, 93-8. You’d think we fielded well as we took 7 catches (2 each for Charlie P and Charlie N, plus one for Luke Colby, Tom and Max) but a couple of drops and some overthrows meant they scored a few more than they should have. Seven bowlers were used. Young Barnaby West impressed with 2 overs for 2 runs. Wickets for Ollie Arratoon, Luke Colby, Charlie Pickup and Isaac Teague. Bowler of the day was Rohan, taking 4 in one over, including the 2 set bats.
So far so good, we just needed to complete the run chase and get the Langley boys over to the school. However, this is where the plan fell apart. Six batters were out for ducks! At 16-4, Charlie Neil was joined by Luke Colby. This pair put together a 51-run partnership that started to give us hope. Luke hit 2 6’s in one over. Bickley brought back their star quick bowler, who had taken 2-2 in his first 3 overs, but Charlie spoilt his figures by scoring 13 off his last. Suddenly a win looked possible. Sadly, Charlie (39) and Luke (16) fell in close succession and our chase was over very soon afterwards.
The usual thoughts of what could have been came to mind but giving ourselves just 94 to chase, the game was ours to lose, and, unfortunately, we did.
Junior Results
Fantasy Cricket
Welcome to the 2024 edition of OD CUACO CC Fantasy Cricket!
Here you are able to make the decisions and choices that you want to make. Who are your big hitters going to be? Who are you going to trust to be your team's captain? Will you make the correct choice when selecting your all important all rounder? The answers will soon be clear in the coming weeks.
Every single adult match played on a Saturday will count towards the points tally so use your talent spotting to select their best possible 11 from a budget of £55 million.
Cost of entry per team is just £6, payment must be made via this website when you set your team up. You can enter as many sides as you like. There will be prize money available (details TBC).
Good luck and thanks for playing!
Communications - OD CUACO WhatsApp Announcements Group
Join our ODs WhatsApp Announcements group! By scanning the below from a mobile phone / tablet etc. you will be asking to join our newly formed members information group. The administrators of the group will provide amongst club updates, news of social/ cricket events, and any quick one line information bulletins considered useful to members. This will be an information only group and will not be a chat. Newsletters with more in-depth information will continue to be sent.
200 Club
The 200 club is a monthly raffle that occurs throughout the season giving members the opportunity to win up to £200. Entry is just £20 per ticket for the year.
Its not long until the first draw for the season, so if you would like to join, details can be found here along with the payment link.
Ball and Match Sponsorship
We are still looking for ball and match sponsorships for our games this year. These come at just at £25. This is a very important way for us to raise funds for various projects at the club, not covered in our normal budget. The link for this is below.
Training times
The following times are designated for club training sessions. Nets will be available to use for club members outside of these times, and if there is no game on the main square.
Group | Day | Time |
Senior Nets | Wednesday | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
Additional 1st XI nets | Tuesday | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
U15-U17 | Tuesday | 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm |
Under 11 and below | Sunday | 10:00 am - 11:15 am |
Under 12s - U13s | Sunday | 11:15 am - 12:30 pm |
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