Honours even in annual School match

OCCC 263 for 4 (Cope 81, Broughton 75, Dahl 56*) drew with Cranleigh School 190 for 8 (Pyle 74)
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The oldest fixture in the calendar - this game was first played in 1869 -  produced exactly the kind of cricket which one would hope for and a fair result after a hard-fought day.  It was an excellent advertisement for school and OC cricket.

The School made an immediate impression when Freddie Austin fell for 2 from the fourth ball and then with the first delivery of the second over Jack Scriven edged behind.  Briefly, a repeat of the dismal OC performance of 12 months earlier appeared possible.  But Bruno Broughton (75) and Alan Cope with a third-wicket stand of 153 at a run a ball and aided by a fast outfield.  When cope tamely chipped Yousuf Majid to Will Dahl, the catcher's brother, Angus, took over with a 35-ball 56 not out which included two sixes. Broughton's breezy innings ended with his first false shot, but Ollie Trower maintained the quick scoring with an unbeaten 41.

Set a stiff target of 264 (the School had not managed to make over 200 all season) Chris Pyle took on the bowlers and although several batsmen got starts, none was able to play the big supporting innings he needed.  Matt Crump, whose bowling has lost its way in recent seasons, looked like his old  lively self, and Jack Horsey and Ed Tristem both picked up a brace.  Pyle's excellent innings ended with a good catch in the deep by Crump shortly after he had been struck a painful blow in the groin, and the School settled for a draw.

This was a young school side - Majid and Tommy Ealham are both in the IVth form - and the prospects for the next few seasons are good.