Success at cricket week

Old Cranleighans 252 for 8 dec lost to Woodpeckers 253 for 7 by three wickets
After the Woodpeckers, a wandering team whose roots lie the the Fleet Street press but are now based in and around the Alma pub in Wandsworth, stepped in to replace the Eton Ramblers at the last minute, there was just one talking point ... Alan Cope.

At Eds Copleston's wedding the night before, Ed Henderson had received a message from the opposition captain pleading for the OC's to provide one cricketer, one capable of opening the bowling no less. He heard that Cope was keen to play and lined him up. On the morning the of the match Henderson tried hard to persuade one of his less important players, notably Henry Watkinson, to switch sides but without success. Meanwhile the opposition kept in his ear that they needed a good cricketer to make a game of it and that Cope was probably the man.

It didn't look like it was going to be a costly decision as all four times Cope induced an edge from Jumbo Jupp, Morgan Fletcher and Tom Garland, they were put down. Jupp went on to compile a good looking 129 with others chipping in so that the OC's were able to declare at the halfway point.

Elliot Hannah bowled a good new ball spell removing one opener whilst Henderson at the other end had the other opener dropped at point and he went on to make 50. Cope entered the fray at 4 and set about putting together a fine 91 including a six into the pavilion of Henderson. A difficult chance was dropped by Starling which, had it been taken, would have changed the outcome of the match as a late flurry of wickets revealing a weak tail showed. In the end, Cope had done enough and the Woodpeckers scraped home with an over to spare and Henderson learnt a lesson he will not be allowed to forget.

Old Milfieldians 120 all out lost to Old Cranleighans 121 for 6
A relatively weak OM side was bowled out in a clinical performace on a scorching day by a typically miserly 4-22 from Mike Chetwode and a clever display of leg spin from Seren Waters (5-25). There were a few scares in the reply as the experienced top order of Brown, Colgate, Watkinson, Copleston S and Worthy mustered little between them against some good bowling. Fortunately with Matt Crump (27*) and Waters (38*)still to come at 7 and 8 there was little chance of a genuine upset and they saw us home.

Old Georgians 122 lost to Old Cranleighans by 5 wkts
Report to follow once we have the full scorecard.

Grasshoppers 262 for 4 dec lost to Old Cranleighans 264 for 6 by four wickets
This was an extraordinary match and must rank as one of the great OC wins in recent years made even more impressive by the inexperienced side and the match winning contributions of debutants and recent leavers.

The Grasshoppers batted for an antisocial 65 overs and in the course of that innings, their Australian number 3 was dropped by Jock Vickers in the 30's. Whether the statement was volunteered by Jock or if the words were shoved into his mouth, an arrangement was made on the pitch that Jock would stump up £1 for every run the Aussie went on to make from there. He ended on 152* leaving Jock with a debt of £120 to the Tim Evans trust. On appeal, after the game this was reduced to £60 taking into consideration the mitigating circumstances that a) Jock is no Jony Rhodes and b) he needs to start saving to look after his forthcoming baby.

To make the events all the more unusual, Mike Chetwode, who has been showing considerable prowess in the catering department alongside Louise, bowled 21 overs without taking a wicket. Debutant Alex Szepietowski bowled nicely and grabbed a couple.

At 22-2 after Vickers and Damien Hill and been and gone, we seemed to be facing an uphill battle especially as we would only get 47 overs back. However, Rob Merry, in the form of his life hit 62 but it was numbers 7 and 8, Morgan Fletcher (73*) and Alex Szepietowski (61*) who turned the game on its head with outstanding, mature knocks to win a great game.

Old Carthusians 202 all out lost to Old Cranleighans 207 for 5 by five wickets
A slow wicket at Charterhouse called for bowlers of the ilk of Mark Ealham, Scott Styris and Chris Harris to bowl full and straight and the OC's found that in Andy Houston (3-21) and Rob Jones (2-23) whilst at the other end, Pullborough left arm spinner Struan Cameron (3-37) bowled beautifully. Cameron could have had 7 wickets were it not for missed catches and stumpings but he carried on plugging away and understood that he needed to take the fielders out of the equation.

In reply, Max Barson was bowled first ball and quickly follwed by Vickers (who had earlier caught a catch) and Will Langmead who hit one to mid on. At the other end Gates was batting stylishly and the onlookers began to wonder if we were going to see the kind of match winning innings from him that he has promised since 2002. He got us a good way there but ran himself out on 49 going for his glorious 50th. Cope (36) was going well at the other end making up for a wayward spell with the ball, until he was stumped off the only ball that the Charterhouse spinner 'had spun all year'.

Charlie Clarence-Smith (62*) then took up the attack batting powerfully and selectively, assisted by the calm Rob Jones (43*) to win us the game in a composed all round performance.

Merry enjoys his day in the sun

Old Cranleighans 239 for 5 dec (R Merry 100*, Clarence-Smith 90) beat East Horsley 181 (Christo 62, Williamson 3-23) by 58 runs
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Ed Henderson maintained the unbeaten start to his OC captaincy career with a comfortable 59-run win at East Horsley, Rob Merry marking the occasion with a well-made maiden hundred for the club.

The setting at East Horsley was as always glorious on the hottest day of the year so far, and Henderson increased his popularity by winning the toss and batting. The reality was this decision owed as much to his 11th man, Henry Watkinson, still enjoying a family barbeque in Shere, as any desire to keep his players from the worst of the heat.

Merry started with a flourish, cutting the first ball of the match for four and cover-driving the second for another boundary. Thereafter he look so comfortable that John McDermott to mumble: “What’s going on … does he think this is his bloody testimonial match or something.” He gave two chances, one in his seventies when a steepler to cover was dropped, the other on 96 when a much harder low drive was put down by the bowler. A warmly-welcomed hundred, maybe, but nothing, as his brother rightly noted, could "excuse that ridiculous mask when keeping".

But Merry otherwise looked untroubled, even when a clatter of wickets left us wobbling slightly. Callum Preece was bowled shouldering arms – offered the get out by spectators who asked if the ball seamed or swung, his honesty that it was “dead straight” was very unCranleighan; Tristan Rosenfeldt, with the appearance of a sunburnt Buster Bloodvessel, got off the mark with a sumptuous late cut but immediately ran out of puff and was leg-before soon after for 9, Tom Merry played back to one that begged for a front-foot shot and was bowled for 0, and then Mark Shapland was found wanting by another straight one for 5.

Merry was then joined by Charlie Clarence-Smith and the pair positively frolicked in a fifth-wicket stand of 170 off 21 overs in 81 minutes. Despite giving Merry a 30-run start, Clarence-Smith, who cut loose after reaching fifty, had almost caught his colleague up when he skied a catch to mid-off for 90 made off 88 balls. Merry duly brought his hundred with his 14th four - 139 minutes, 83 balls - prompting the declaration.

Set a stiff target – Henderson was told by several of his team he had declared too early – East Horsley lacked the firepower to mount a serious challenge. That they came close was due to Hendo’s one miscalculation of the day when he offered Chris Christo, our potential South African ringer (dumped when Watkinson finally appeared shortly before tea and after Rosenfeldt’s offer to bat but not field were brusquely dismissed), to the home side.

There were a few chuckles when Christo clipped the first two deliveries he faced – fittingly off Henderson – for the sweetest of boundaries and for a time it appeared he might be able to single-handedly ruin our afternoon. He struggled to find anyone to stay with him, and then was undone when Martin Williamson’s first ball of the afternoon found his weak spot – a full toss smacked straight to Preece on the square-leg boundary. The last pair hit out spiritedly but to no avail. The wickets were shared around, although Michael Chetwode was left indignant as his usual divine right to mop up the tail was denied to him by the new regime.

All in all, a really enjoyable day which underlined there is room for a handful of village matches against pleasant opponents in our fixture list.

Another first-round defeat in Cricketer Cup

Old Cranleighans 193 for 8 (Waters 71) lost to Eton Ramblers 213 for 9 (Horne 62, Cope 4-59) by 20 runs
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For the second year on the trot our Cricketer Cup ended at the first hurdle, and for the first time in six matches in the competition we lost at home. At 68 for 5, Eton Ramblers were on the ropes, but they recovered well to post 213 for 9 in 50 overs, and although we reached 90 for 1, our innings lost momentum and as the run-rate climbed we fell away badly, eventually losing by 20 runs. There could be no complaints that the better side on the day won.


The start was not auspicious - possibly because a majority of the side had attended the Foundation Ball the night before and were in various states of disrepair – as Henry Watkinson’s first four deliveries of the day went for 14 runs. In fairness, he finished with figures of 1 for 28 off eight overs, which with 14 off the first and eight off the last overs accurately showed he only got better. Matt Crump shared the new ball but was all over the place, shipping ten wides in his five overs; Alan Cope, who bowled very well in fits and start, bowled eight, and in the end extras – 21 wides and five no-balls, all uncharacteristically from spinner Graham Webb – proved the difference between the teams.

After our woolly start we recovered well. Watkinson removed the dangerous-looking Vanderspa for 20, and then Cope took a brace of wickets in his second and fifth overs, a reward for a good line and length aided by some very indifferent batting. But we appeared to relax slightly, and Hobson and Bruce calmly rebuilt the innings with a sixth-wicket stand of 73. Hobson, who made 62 off 135 balls, provided the rock for the recovery, and while our spinners (Webb and Seren Waters) proved hard to get away, they did not look like breaking the stand until Bruce was well held by Cope off Waters for 32. The over before Bruce had deposited Waters through the back window of a car parked next to the pavilion to general amusement.

Max Barson’s bustling medium pace struck one run later when Thompson chased a ball so wide he did well to get the toe of his bat on it, Will Howard taking a good low catch, and at 144 for 7 off 39 overs we again seemed to be in the box seat. But Farley, batting at No. 8, then took to the bowling with a mixture of orthodoxy and improvisation, and our bowlers were unable to keep him in check. Hobson’s excellent innings ended when he was run out taking on Matt Crump’s arm from the deep, but Farley pushed on. Harry Chetwood hit a couple of fours, was hit on the head by Cope, and then run out by Crump in his follow through when he slipped mid-pitch. A target of 214 was more than seemed likely at one point and represented what Stuart Welsh reckoned was a par score. To our credit, our fielding was outstanding, even Michael Chetwode being forced to admit it might have been slightly better than in “his day”.

We started solidly, with Seren Waters and Rob Jones, batting right back on his stumps to counter the pace of Bruce, driving and pulling with confidence. The introduction of spin did for Jones, but Matt Crump and Waters pushed the innings on so that at the halfway point we were 90 for 1. When Waters departed for 71 to the first ball of Bruce’s second spell, we were still in the driving seat needing 73 from 13 overs, but then it started to go wrong as a succession of batsmen got bogged down, and then as wickets started falling our middle order lost its way. A lack of experience and some tight bowling, especially by Chetwood, caused us to start playing a succession of desperate shots. Boundaries dried up, and in the end we were left flailing.

It was good to see a large number of former and current players supporting the side, despite the frustration of a wasted trip to Eton last week and another day of indifferent weather.

We have now lost four of our last five matches in the Cricketer Cup – tough draws have not helped – but we can take satisfaction from the youth of our side. Whether we are necessarily serious enough about the competition is another matter, and there has to be some soul searching before next season’s first round.

Cope leads side against Eton Ramblers

Alan Cope will lead the side in the Cricketer Cup first-round match against Eton Ramblers at Eton College on Sunday, June 12. The match starts at 11am.

Abeed Janmohamed was selected as captain at the start of the season but he has had to go to the USA for some flimsy reason or another.

The full side is:-

Alan Cope (captain), Matt Crump, Tom Crump, Elliott Hannah, Jonathan Haynes, Will Howard (wkt), Rob Jones, Will Langmead, Seren Waters, Henry Watkinson, Graham Webb. Phil Roper will act as 12th man and Heather Dean will score.

Regular updates will be carried on the club homepage in the twitter module on the right-hand side, or on the club’s Twitter page.

Chetwode and his children guide us to a winning start

OCCC 230 for 5 (Gates 56*, T Crump 55, W Langmead 52, Jones 50) beat Esher 211 (39.4 overs, Chetwode 4-14) by 19 runs
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Our first line up of the season was a blend of experience and youth, and on paper a very strong batting line up. We won the toss and took the opportunity to post a score for Esher to chase down in their 40 overs. The unseasonably fine weather, in evidence again on the day albeit accompanied by a cold wind, had allowed a good track to be nurtured and we were able to build a strong start.


Rob Jones and Will Langmead eased their way to 94 at the 15 over mark. However we were 109 for 2 just four overs later, with both openers falling shortly after celebrating their half centuries - Jones leg-before for 50 and Langmead caught behind for 52.

Damien Hill missed his opportunity after being caught for 3, and we got bogged down over the next 15 overs as the scoring rate dropped from 6 an over to 4 an over. Jonny Gates and Tom Crump then began to find more fluidity as the rate climbed to over 8 an over during the last 10 overs. Credit should also be given to Gates for his incredible ability to farm the strike!

Crump, who eventually got to face, was then caught and bowled by the Esher captain (another OC) for 55 in the last over, which brought Rich Aston to the crease. He was promptly on his way back after being run out without facing. Gates eventually finished unbeaten on 56 and we posted 230 for Esher to chase.

Roo Hume opened up with a maiden, and Marcus Fletcher opened at the other end up the hill and into the wind. Although we got of to a reasonable start we never really created an opportunity in the opening overs and the good batting track meant that anything full or short was duly dispatched.

Langmead came on to bowl spin and caused some problems, beating players in the air. He was unlucky not to have a stumping to his name but then got his reward when OC Alex Szepietowski smashed the ball back at him and he parried it to the waiting Crump at mid-off. Experience then came to the fore, as the ever dependable Mike Chetwode tightened things up and then bowled the left hander for a duck.

At the halfway stage Esher were 85 for 3 as Chetwode strangled their middle order and that pressure brought wickets. Despite a number of missed opportunities, with Rob Merry having a shocker behind the stumps, we looked to be just in front. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals and Esher remained behind the curve – needing 96 off the final 10 overs and then 83 off the final five.

Hill bowled with uncharacteristic control and captain Abeed Janmohamed’s first spell was also tight. However having bought a wicket Abeed brought Esher’s pro (Ahmed) to the crease – who then calmly dispatched some fairly friendly Janmohamed pies for two sixes and a four. This gave Esher something to cheer about and a glimmer of hope but a fantastic diving catch in the deep by Crump off Hume removed the Ahmed threat and Esher’s chances. The game was wrapped up by an easy run-out as we finished them with two balls to spare, 19 short of our total.

A good result and first outing this season for a number of players. Several batsman put their hand up for Cricketer Cup places, and it was pleasing to see the recent school leavers play their part. Four batsman got half centuries but the stand out performance once again was old lag Chetwode with figures of 4 for 14 off his eight overs.

Report of the OCCC AGM

The Annual General Meeting at the Alma in Wandsworth agreed a number of changes to the way the club will operate in 2011, including a new policy on subscriptions and a change of start times for all home matches.

The main change in terms of officers was that Ed Henderson was elected as captain to succeed Eds Copleston with Paddy Harman as his vice-captain. Johnny Gates took over from Ed as secretary.

The finances occupied much discussion and will be fully reported in the minutes of the meeting. However it was agreed all players over 23 would be asked to pay a £30 subscription by standing order to help underpin the increasing cost of playing matches, entering the Cricketer Cup etc. Whereas in the past this has not been actively enforced, from 2011 it would be.

Tristan Rosenfeldt reported four fixtures had not been renewed - Old Spots, Rugby Meteors, Old Epsomians and West End, Esher - as we were looking to slightly streamline the calendar and also make the non old boys matches more relevant to the club. We had added a late-season game at Cranleigh Village, while Lancing Rovers stepped in on a one-year trial to replace Old Tonbridgians who were involved in the Open golf.

In a bid to get matches finished slightly earlier and in so doing encourage players from both sides to stay longer after games, the start time for all home fixtures had been switched from 11.30am to 11.00am.

Tristan and Tom Merry reported 31 people, including 18 players, had signed up for the St Lucia/Grenada tour in January 2012 and arrangements were well in hand.

Other subjects discussed included ideas for fund-raising for Tim Evans, the 2011 Cricketer Cup (away at Eton on June 12) and arrangements for the cricket week.

Henderson takes over as Copleston quits

Eds Copleston has resigned as captain of the OCCC after only three seasons in charge following his move to the USA on business. Eds had hoped to be able to juggle work with cricket and continue in the role courtesy of air miles, but business commitments meant he has been unable to play since moving to New York in June.

"It’s with great sadness that I have decided to resign as captain,” he said. “The club has given me an enormous amount of pleasure over the years and I feel like I have more to give back to it."

Ed Henderson is set to be appointed as his replacement at the AGM early next year. "The club’s in good hands with Hendo as club captain," Copleston said, adding: "Although he does lack captaincy experience, so I hope the club supports his efforts."

Eds took charge of the cup side in 2001 and led the side to four Brewers Cup finals between 2002 and 2006, winning three times. He also captained us to the Cricket World Trophy in 2007 before taking over the full club captaincy from Henry Watkinson in 2008.

Copleston’s departure also meant he was overtaken by his brother on the all-time run-scoring list, and a superb 2010 season for Simon, who also lives abroad, enabled him to become only the second OC to pass 4000 career runs.

"Congratulations to Simon … it’s is a further sign of the continued Copleston dominance of the OCCC batting aggregate board and it is inevitable now that Nigel Paul’s record will fall to either Simon or myself as we now have 8000 OCCC runs between us."

Away at Eton in 2011 Cricketer Cup

We have been drawn to play Old Etonians at Eton in the first round of the 2011 Cricketer Cup on Sunday, June 12. If we win that then we are again away in the second round at either Wellington or Stowe on June 26. For the full draw, click here.

There are two new sides in the 2011 competition, with Old Eastbournians, who have enjoyed considerable success in the Cricket World Trophy, and Old Bedfordians replacing Lancing Rovers and Old Westminsters. The decision of the committee to make changes was largely influenced by the success of the Old Cranleighans when we were brought in to the tournament in 2007.

Old Westminsters were one of the 16 founder members in 1967 but have by some way the worst record, with only seven wins in 44 years. Lancing, who joined in 1969, have fared slightly better with 19 wins in 42 years but they failed to raise an XI for their first-round tie at Oundle this season.

For Lancing, traditionally one of our strongest opponents, it is a sign of how the school’s cricketing fortunes have slipped. Between 1963 and 1984 we never once beat them, and our in at the end of the 1984 cricket week, completing our ninth straight victory, was considered the highlight of the season and an indication of the strength of our side.

At the final on Sunday, Old Malvernians, who beat us in the first round, defeated Oundle Rovers by 73 runs to take the title for the seventh time. Here is the report from the Cricketer Cup site.
“Oundle won the toss and asked Malvern to bat, The wicket was damped and there was every indication that the ball would seam and swing. And so it proved as The Old Malvernians soon found themselves at 12-3 with Patrick Foster (3-33) making the early breakthroughs. Rebuilding was required and this came in the shape of Mark Hardinges (43) and Will Gifford (49). With 5 wickets down pundists around the ground were thinking that 180 would be the most Malvern could expect but David Nash (55 not out) and Jonny Cartwright (35 off 18 balls) had other ideas andtogether they took the score to a more than respectable 209.

“In reply Oundle started briskly but the loss of Craig Smith was a big blow and besides Cameron Wake (41) noone seemed to relish the challenge. Tight bowling from Jonathan Ashworth (3-18 and Olly Griffiths (2-11 in 8 overs) put an and to any fightback and Old Malvernians in the end ran out easy winners.

“After the horrific downpours on Saturday we were lucky to get a game in and our thanks to the Shenley groundstaff for their efforts to get the game on. In the end the sun shone and we look forward to returning in 2011.”