Davies and Thomas see us home

Old Cranleighans 215 for 6 (Davies 72, Thomas 40*) beat Old Cliftonians 212 for 8 (Walker 81, Scriven 4-40) by six wickets

George Thomas on the attack

The OCCC secured a Cricketer Cup 3^rd round tie at Winchester next week (July 10) with a six-wicket win over Old Cliftonians but it was a game which we threatened to throw away after losing a flurry of wickets after making a solid start in pursuit of 213.  It took a calming sixth-wicket stand of 120 between Ollie Davies (72) and George Thomas (40*) to see us over the line.

Last week we were in charge of the game at Clifton when rain intervened, causing us to try again on Jubilee. A brief shower shortly before the start caused a half-hour delay, but the pitch was dry and, uncharacteristically this summer, the sun broke though and for much of the day there were blue skies and blazing sunshine.

Matt Crump won the toss but we looked slightly weary in the field.  It was our third game in four weeks but for Clifton it was their fourth in as many weekends after two washouts.  Kartick Suresh, in his final appearance before returning to Singapore, again bowled well, making the initial breakthrough and then returning to remove the dangerous Walker (81).  That aside, the slow bowlers again too centre stage, Jack Scriven the pick with 4 for 40.  A hand injury sustained earlier in the week meant he was playing as a bowler who would bat only if vital.

A total of 210 always seemed below par, even given a lush and slowish outfield, and although Seren Waters slapped the first ball of our reply straight to a fielder, it appeared no more than a minor setback,  Tom Crump and Bruno Borughton  slowly guided us to 43 before the wheels loosened.   Three quick wickets left us 55 for 4, and when Matt Crump holed out to a forgettable shot we were in the mire at 85 for 5.

But Davies and Thomas stayed calm, saw off the best of Clifton’s bowlers and wore down a tiring attack, taking few chances and punishing the bad balls when they came.  By the time Davies scooped a sweep to the keeper we were all but home and, fittingly, Thomas cracked the winning runs in the next over.