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.

Watkinson leads another Florida excursion

Henry Watkinson leads arguably the strongest OCCC squad to Florida on November 24 for the seventh time in the club’s history and the first since 2007 in an effort to lift a trophy that has just escaped the club’s grasp on more than one occasion in the past.

The Sarasota International Six-a-Side Thanksgiving tournament has attracted such names as Chiv Chanderpaul, Fayood Bacchus, Jonathan Trott, Mike “RJ” Gatting, Paul Maynard and Steve Watkin in the past and the cricket has been extremely competitive with strong OCCC sides falling at the semi final stages at three previous tournaments.

“We arrive this year with our tail between our legs since last time we took a side to the festival we failed to win a group game,” Watkinson admitted. “Admittedly we had a young side then but we had experience as well and it goes to show that we are playing people who play this format of cricket a lot more than we do and we need to learn quickly as good sides can come unstuck very quickly in Sarasota.”

Watkinson also brushed aside claims that his selections had choked in the later stages of this tournament in the past. “It wasn’t nerves that got the better of us it was the teams unwillingness to say no to large amounts of alcohol plied to it by the very friendly locals as well as the opposition on the Saturday night gala dinner before the semi finals on Saturday morning.”

Watkinson feels buoyed by the fact that Rick Johnson has assumed the John McDermott managerial role of building bridges at the festival. “Mac’s are very broad shoulders but if anyone can fill his shoes then Rick can. I was very sorry Mac has had to stay at home due to his wife Sylvia’s advice. In the past we have got into plenty of trouble here but Mac has always bailed us out.”

Watkinson’s team consists not only of Johnson but of Eds Copleston who will be eager to prove that there is life after captaincy, previous tourists Jonny Gates and Sam Langmead, who will have no doubt benefitted from the experience of their earlier chastening visit. Crowd favourite and talented Will Howard will be extremely useful behind the stumps in a pivotal role as will the OCCC’s most talented newcomers of the last three years Alan Cope and Matt Crump. Globetrotting Steve Bailey, recruited while drunk at the weekend’s OC Society Dinner, makes up the numbers.

Watkinson says he will set foot in Florida with a team that is cognisant of a gruelling three-day campaign in which everyone has to be at the top of their game to prevail but also with more than a little hope that this could be the year.

"This one is for Mac," Watkinson admitted.

A mixed bag

Ed Henderson looks back on the 2010 OC cricket week

Old Cranleighans 217-6 (Ashton 94*) beat Eton Ramblers 213-7 by three wickets
An earlier-than-usual 10.30am start at the behest of the Etonians because they wanted to be home in time for the World Cup final was rather undermined when only two of the opposition were present at the scheduled beginning, but the game was underway before 11am. A mature 94* from Rich Ashton saw us knock off the Ramblers 214 in the last of the 40 overs. We had put in one of the tidiest OC fielding performances for some time with tight bowling from Ed Henderson, Paddy Harman, Mike Chetwode and Nigel Radbourne interspersed with regular wickets. We kept up with the run rate but no one bedded in to support Ashton despite contributions from Johnny Gates and Simon Copleston and a steady supply of wides.

Old Cranleighans beat Old Millfieldians by three wickets
A talented OC team of both youth and experience played in the first match between the two sides, with this fixture surprisingly being Old Millfieldian’s first venture into the realm of old boy’s cricket. Led by Jonny Gates, we were put into bat first on a flat Jubilee pitch and got off to a poor start, losing early wickets to a decent up front OMs seam attack. Rich Ashton battled for a period taking the home side to 139 for 8. Gatesy provided a gutsy lower order recovery with the help of much under rated Mike Roper but eventually ran out of batting partners just short of a much deserved fifty. With a more defendable total set, we were able to attack from the off in the field, with ‘veteran’ Henry Watkinson taking the wicket of a dangerous looking West Countryman with late swing and deceptive pace. It appeared that Millfield were also keen to get off to the Merry’s BBQ as they failed to provide any sort of spirited fight against tight bowling from Chetwode, Matt Crump and Graeme Brown. We finished the victors with runs and overs to spare, surely putting pain to the match-fixing allegations faced by Chris Preece early in the week!


Old Cranleighans 136 (Ashton 44, Crump T 36) lost to Old Georgians 140 (Crump M 5-34, Waters D 4-43 by four runs
On paper, a thrilling low-scoring match. In reality, a disappointing display by the club as we turned up with eight men despite some lengthy ringing round after a string of high-profile drop-outs the previous day. Several of the eight that did make it were noticeably the worse for attending the Merry BBQ and subsequent night in Guildford. That we kept OGs to such a low score was thanks almost entirely to a hungover Matt Crump (5-34) and a marathon 21-over spell from David Waters (4 for 43). With Crump comatose in the changing room, his team-mates offered little fight as we lost five quick wickets, but Ashton and Tom crump clawed us to within sight of an unlikely win.

Old Cranleighans 298 for 6 beat Grasshoppers 265 by 33 runs
Report to follow

Old Cranleighans v Charterhouse Friars
A disappointing day which was called off purely because the covers had not been put on leaving the pitch exposed to heavy overnight rain.

Old Cranleighans v Old Tonbridgians
Report to follow

Old Cranleighansv Old Douai
For the second year running our opponents failed to raise a side.

Old Cranleighans 295 for 6 (Copleston S 134, Wilson 61, Hill 54) drew with Buccaneers 275 for 8
Another high-scoring game is testament to the wicket and fast outfield on Jubilee. Simon Copleston (134*) and Dave Wilson (61) got us off to a fast start with Wilson hitting powerfully against some average bowling. Copleston started slowly and had only reached 54 by lunch but he knew that his time to cash in was to come and, supported by Damien Hill (54) he pushed on after lunch allowing captain Henderson to declare at 3.30. Copleston, who plays rarely now he is based in Dubai, completed a remarkable week by completing his sixth OC hundred, tying him with Nigel Paul who also made that number for the club. The Buccaneers were in the game to the extent Henderson wanted them to be in it, but dropped catches meant bowling them out was hard. Tom Basset broke the opening stand on the stroke of tea for his first OC wicket. After tea, recent leaver, Andrew Goudie bowled a very long and impressive spell of slow left arm bowling they earned him four deserved wickets. Chetwode produced a fine spell at the other end as the match entered the last 20 overs and wickets began to fall more regularly. However, the dropped catches meant that we were two wickets light of what would have been a fine win.

Capello ruins a day out in East Horsley

East Horsley 238 for 6 beat Old Cranleighans 237 for 7 (Howard 74, Shapland 50, Hume 44, Chetwode 38) by one run

The annual match against East Horsley was all rather peculiar. What should have been a sleepy afternoon’s cricket in glorious late-June sunshine turned out to be a disjointed limited-over slog. Like much this weekend, it was all Fabio Capello’s fault.

Had his overpaid fools been even half good then England would have been knocked out of the World Cup 24 hours earlier and nobody would have cared less about the Germans playing the USA. As it was, East Horsley only managed to raise an XI with assurances the cricket would halt for the football. This, and the consequential need to play a 30-over match, we found out on arrival. Mike Chetwode and Steve Isaac had their first minor fit of the day, not being particularly into either football or limited-overs cricket.

Chetwode takes up the story. “After getting over the shock, Johnny Gates won the toss (I've no idea who won the toss but let's blame him) and elected to field first on the hottest day of the year. Chetwode and Isaac had another fit. Eight overs later, our opening attack with a combined age of 92 retired having kept the young guns of East Horsley down to something approaching nine an over. Ed Henderson and Ru Hume then took up the attack and kept the rate reasonably in check at the same time as picking up regular wickets (two each, I believe). Gates finally bought himself on and managed to drop his usual dolly. This time it was off his own bowling. A final total of 238 off thirty overs left us with quite a lot to do.”

Despite the eagerness to watch the World Cup, Chetwode had won a minor victory. “I told Gates (and anyone else within earshot) that once we'd started, we weren't going to stop until we'd bowled the thirty overs so, 1:30 to about 3:30 then back out at about 4:20 (after a couple of Jerries had sunk the good ship I suggested there wasn't much point in watching anymore and I wanted to get back to watch Top Gear).”

In 1995 we had made a similar arrangement to allow us to watch the Rugby World Cup semi-final between England and Jonah Lomu. Another one-sided affair, and another mutually agreed earlier return to cricket as interest in events in South Africa dissipated.


“Five goals later (should have been six, apparently) and we headed back out with about 20 minutes of the poofball to go. Nathan Ross, in his farewell appearance before returning to Australia, didn't last long but Hume and Mark Shapland pushed the scoring along. Hume was caught behind trying to smote another boundary but Shapland and Will Howard upped the scoring rate.

“Howard went to a very good fifty and fours and sixes were interspersed with conversation about Shappers' sex life. The umpire wanted to know more. Enough said here, though. Shapland got to a maiden OC fifty playing very straight and then ran out of steam. Once Howard, Shapland and Rob Merry (another one off to Australia within the week) went in quick succession, we needed fifty odd off four overs. Merry T was starting to open his shoulders and, along with Chetwode got the target down to ten off the last over. A six off the second ball got the target down to four off four but Chetwode was bowled trying to hit the winning boundary. Three were needed for a win off the last ball, and Tom Merry was run out going for the second which gave East Horsley a win by one run.

“A very good day only spoilt by some of the young oppo believing that England had a hope of beating Germany and wanting to watch. That'll teach them!”

Hammered to defeat at Headley

Old Cranleighans 241 for 6 dec (Ross 112*, Langmead 72) lost to Headley 245 for 1 (M Pickering 124*, Paver 83*) by nine wickets
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One of our heaviest defeats in many years came in the usually gentle match at Headley. We brought down a young veterans side, mainly made up of occasional cricketers, and were completely outplayed by a young Headley team who were bolstered by Ashtead’s overseas pro, a dour Australian who had smacked an unbeaten 91 against Weybridge the day before. A good batsman without doubt, but hardly of the general standard of this fixture. In fairness, we have been overly strong in years gone by, so what goes around comes around.

That the match made it into the last hour – just – was thanks to Nathan Ross, our own tame Australian playing his penultimate match before heading back home after a seven-year flying visit. Almost alone he helped us to 131 for 5 – the next highest contribution was 17 from Johnny Gates – before he found a partner in Sam Langmead. Langers might resemble Justin Lee Collins since he returned from rowing the Atlantic with a beard and flowing locks, but his innings was a delight. He made 72 off 39 balls with eight sixes (his 50 coming off 30 balls) and almost overshadowed Ross’s maiden OC hundred which came in 131 minutes off 140 deliveries. The pair added 103 in 45 minutes and Henry Watkinson declared with us on 241 for 6.

To say Headley made light of the chase would be understating events by some margin. Pickering senior and junior got them off to a brisk start, but when the older opener drove over the top of a Gates’ floater the carnage started.

Watkinson immediately decided to bring himself on to show we meant business. Mitch Pickering plays a very simple game very effectively, with a very small repertoire of shots he plays with violence. In five balls he heaved Watkinson into the Surrey countryside four times, scoring 28 in all, and leaving the OC legend muttering about what he would have done to the batsman “if I was ten years younger”.

Viv Paver – the aforementioned Aussie - then joined in the slaughter as a succession of bowlers were treated with equal contempt. Gates maintained his reputation of not having the safest hands in the deep of a couple of tough chances, but even had he proved the form-book wrong it would only have delayed the inevitable. Pickering reached what we were told was a deserved maiden hundred as the match only just made it into the last 20 overs.

Despite the mauling it was a lovely sunny afternoon and few would have wanted to be elsewhere, other perhaps than David Bugge who arrived late after being stuck in traffic for two hours and then had to retire hurt soon after he started batting after tweaking a muscle. It was good to see a few OCs of various vintages pop down to offer advice from the boundary.

Crump hundred eases us to victory

Ed Copleston won the toss and chose to bat after rain had delayed the start. The decision was more than justified by Matt Crump and Tom Garland who took us to lunch on 105 for 0, and both opened up after the break, Crump reaching his hundred and Garland his fifty before both fell hitting out. Sam Langmead and Copleston then continued the good work, enabling us to declare in 262 for 3. Spare a thought for James Harrison who, on his debut, waited three hours to bat and was out second ball for a duck.

Clarence-Smith and Will Langmead opened the bowling as Buccaneers reached 60 for 1 at tea, Johnny Gates continuing his wretched catching by spilling a routine gulley catch just before the break. Gates and Phil Roper then bowled tightly as we squeezed the Buccaneers and wickets fell regularly. Mike Roper and James Harrison were slightly expensive before Will Langmead and Clarence Smith mopped up the tail to give us our first win since the first day of the cricket week.

Gates to the rescue

Following an early morning shower, the sun came out as we arrived for our first game of the season - at the picturesque Follies Farm near Chiddingfold. In his first official game as captain, Eds Copleston won the toss and elected to field having agreed a 40 over-a-side game.

We bowled tightly early on, Luke Moorby unfortunate not to make a breakthrough. Old Spots struggled to 35 for 3 after 15 overs. Alex Craven and Henry Watkinson maintained the stranglehold, Watkinson unlucky not to take a wicket as Jock Vickers failed to hold on to a number of chances behind the stumps. Johnny Gates replaced Craven and immediately took a wicket as his flighted offbreaks confused the Old Spots middle order. Damian Hill replaced Watkinson and runs started to flow more freely. Gates maintained the stranglehold from the other end though and looked impressive, taking 3 for 34 as Old Spots struggled to 154 for 8 off their 40 overs. It should be noted that Vickers was banished as keeper after one drop too many, and Copleston got his reign off to a flying start when he cracked a finger diving over the ball.

In reply, we faltered early on with Will Howard punching the second ball of the innings directly at cover point and calling Tom Merry through for a single Usain Bolt wouldn’t have made. Briefly Copleston and Howard steadied the ship, but when Copleston fell we were shortly 52 for 3. Howard and Hill kept us ahead of the rate and at 82 for 3 off 15overs the game looked to be there for the taking. Howard, however, threw his wicket away with a trademark leading edge before Hill and Moorby fell shortly after. At 96 for 6 the game was very much in the balance. Watkinson and Gates then batted with determination before opening up towards the end to ensure a winning start to the new era.

Sharks avoid the OCs

What the advertisers would have you believe was a once-in-a-lifetime shark-viewing experience was described by Keith Crump as “the worst day of my life”. The 4.30am start unsurprisingly accounted for a few casualties as some senior players opted out with lame excuses, but more than a dozen of the group headed out to sit in a cage and watch sharks at play. Gates’ now customary chunder (some say it was before the boat has left the harbour) failed to prove a tasty treat and not a shark was to be seen in the four-hour bobbing on the ocean waves. And it rained. And it was cold.

The seniors headed for the hills for a long and wine-fuelled lunch, enlivened by the Johnson-Watkinson old wives act as the hapless pair got hopelessly lost (the blame is still being discussed). The wine continued to flow through fines and beyond, with the senior pro (Chetwode) seeking to spark some old hostilities by covering the locals in beer. His wife, by now Dick of the Day, was quieter … mainly because she had passed out, making her an easy target for Copleston to write on as she slept.

Finally cricket ,,, and a defeat

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More than a week after landing we finally took to the cricket field at the wonderful Van der Stel CC in Stellenbosch, surrounded by mountains and under a deep blue sky. We fielded and made a quick breakthrough when Matt Crump ripped out an off stump, and soon after Tom Merry scored a run-out with a direct hit, When Michael Chetwode had J Engelbrecht caught behind, the home side were 62 for 3 and we fancied our chances. But while we stuck to the task, Cape Cobra's contracted Sybrand Engelbrecht hit 89 to help boost his side to 228 for 7 off their 50 overs. Matt Crump was the most successful bowler with 3 for 36.

We lost Tom Crump to the fourth ball of the innings and Johnny Gates followed shortly after – from then on in only Matt Crump saved us from complete humiliation. He effortlessly stroked his way to 88 off 106 balls, including 12 fours, while all around fell to rash shots and reckless running. Eds Copleston led the headless charge, escaping a dropped catch only to leave himself high and dry as he tried for a resulting run that was never there. Aside from Crump, only 40 runs came off the bat. It really was that dismal.

Dinner was taken by all at Panama Jacks in the harbour in Cape Town and will be remembered not just by the touring party, but all those unlucky enough to be in the restaurant, for the performance of Jonny 'the bugler' Gates. After perhaps one too many Castle lagers he expelled what had gone in and there are flags on the ceiling and windows in the restaurant that will never, ever be the same again. It was quite remarkable - please ask anyone present for more details. Or perhaps don’t.

Into the abyss (almost)

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For the few who could haul themselves out of bed, breakfast was taken on Livingstone Island perched on the top of the Victoria Falls. Henderson, Gates, Merry R and Langmead ventured out into the river unpeturbed by the guide's insistence that swimming out to a plunge pool on the very edge of the Falls was for 'strong swimmers' only. The four had to put in a pretty serious shift of swimming against the current to reach the rock from which they jumped into the plunge pool. Health and Safety clearly hasn't reached Zambia yet as peering over the edge on the Falls with nothing to hold you back other than an underwater ledge was pretty punchy. On the return swim Henderson set the guides into panic by picking a bold across-current line and looking for all the world like he might disappear over the edge of the Falls! Fortunately all reached terra firma to tuck into New Year Eggs Benedict.

The rest of the day was spent in various stages of recovery, mainly by the pool where the only activity required was chasing away the blue testicled monkeys who repeatedly tried to steal things.

Ed Henderson and Tom Merry on fines were not going to let the previous night's excess deter them from handing out some interesting fines under the title 'Crime and Punishment'. They thought they would be considerate and, instead of handing out neat shots, they kindly produced such delicious drinks as gin and lung tonic (the main ingredient of the cough mixture being creosote) and gin and cream soda (the latter with a sell by date in the mid nineties).

Henderson plunders, Rosenfeldt eats

OCs 189 for 8 (Rosenfeldt 56, Henderson 53*) lost to Frogs 191 for 4 by six wickets

At 5pm on the day before the game we had eight players and no catering arrangements in place for Sunday's game against the Frogs. A thought shower and no little blue sky thinking later we had 11 men and a car boot full of economy meat and salad. Adam Takla and Dave Shapland came in for their OC debuts whilst Ed Henderson and Tristan Rosenfeldt scuttled off home to prepare some salads for the BBQ (green for the former, potato for the latter... under his mother's supervision).

Sunday was a fine day and and it was a pleasure to welcome Rob Warbuton as captain of the opposition. Rosenfeldt arranged for us to bat first so that we could prepare the BBQ and Warburton cleverly arranged for there to be no ten-over limit per bowler in the fifty-over match.

Johnny Gates composed an elegant 9 until he was shot out by an umpire keen to get into the action. Damian Hill butchered a quick twenty, Shapland didn't hang around and Tom Merry, still mentally in Infernos where he had been the previous night, thought he could steal a quick single. Rosenfeldt was at the other end and quite simply wasn't having any of it.

Henderson, flagrantly disobeying doctors orders not to aggravate his foot, came in at the allrounders position of No. 6 and scratched around for an unbeaten half century, his maiden for the club. A total of 180 in 50 overs wasn't enough but it was at least something and, given the relative weakness of the batting, was a decent effort.

Early wickets were required but not forthcoming. A Paul Vickersesque left hander wiped several ugly boundaries despite craven bowling with impressive control. Henderson claimed his first wicket as an off spinner and Hardy-King bowled with pace and aggression but the result was never in doubt. The Frogs won by six wickets with 10 overs to spare.

Cup defence ends at the first hurdle

Old Alluredians 139 (Chetwode 5-15) beat Old Cranleighans 132 by seven runs

After all the entertainment we have gained from cup competitions since we joined the Brewers Cup in 2001, this took us back to the beginning. The club has progressed significantly since we were knocked out in the 1st round by Old Hurstjohnians in 2001. We have raised the Brewers Cup three times in four years and the Cricket World Trophy last year. However the availability for this round was dire… University exams, holidays (yes, during the cricket season) and a general lack of interest in travelling down to Kings Taunton turned the usual selection dilemmas into a scramble for 11 players.

We did, however, turn up with a full compliment on a warm day down in Taunton. We won the toss and elected to field, given that the green pitch was still drying. Our opening attack was a blend of youth and experience with Henry Watkinson and Max Barson (on debut). Both bowled with good control to contain the OA’s openers. Watkinson struck early on as he bowled an excellent tight line and some sharp fielding contained the OAs to 40 for off 14 overs. Our first change, Jumbo Jupp, was expensive in a short spell before Rob Jones gave us more control, with Alex Craven bowling his usual miserly line and length from the other end. Mike Chetwode came on to replace Jones and immediately gave us back complete control of the game as he took 5 for 15 either side of lunch. Some excellent groundfielding helped us keep the pressure on at both ends and OAs had no answer to Chetwode. Jones replaced Craven to take the last three wickets as OAs left us 140 to win.

With a very achievable target the plan was simple - bat sensibly for as many overs as it took. After some excellent early drives from Jones, we quickly found ourselves in trouble at 35 for 3 with Jones, Barson and Johnny Gates all back in the pavilion. Eds Copleston and Will Howard steadied the ship before we lost Howard LBW trying to work a straight ball to the leg side(all too familiar) to leave us 60 for 4. Jock Vickers and Copleston took us to 85 for 4 before Copleston was controversially given out caught off his pad. At 85 for 5 we were reeling and shortly afterwards Vickers fell LBW to leave youngsters Damien Hill and Jupp with a difficult task - 95 for 6 at tea. The run rate was never an issue and we knew if just batted for another 10 overs the game was ours. Jupp batted with maturity and mental strength to get us to within 7 runs of victory as at the other end wickets continued to tumble - Hill ran himself out, Wakinson was bowled and Craven fell LBW. Shortly afterwards the umpires had the last word as Jupp was stumped off what debatably could have been a no-ball.

We didn’t deserve to win this game the way we batted, Taunton played with spirit and deserved their exciting win. The majority conclusion after the game was this is a thoroughly worthwhile tournament to be in and can provide some good cricket for all OCCC club members going forward. This also represents an opportunity to blood players and test them under pressure in cup cricket. We must move on and learn alot from this experience as attention now moves to the first round of the cricketer cup this weekend - a home tie against Lancing…

Winning start at East Horsley

Old Cranleighans 159 for 5 (Gates 48, Watkinson 42) beat East Horsley 158 for 9 dec (Chetwode 4-40) by five wickets

After two cancellations by the opposition, our season finally got underway at East Horsley where we overcame the home side and showers to record a five-wicket win. Boss and employee, Henry Watkinson and Johnny Gates, provided the bulk of the runs while the old warhorse Mike Chetwode was the pick of the bowlers.

The Horsley innings was unremarkable, much like Graeme Brown’s innings which was brief. Chetwode was as he always is at the start of the season, heavier but metrognomic, Damien Hill and mini Crump chipped in with two a piece, and just to show that life was returning to normal, Gates recorded his first drop of the summer, a skier that the slips left for the keeper, the keeper left for Gates, and Gates spilt. Nine fielders got the giggles, Henry produced his first teapot of the summer – believed to be a record as it has never been sighted before May – and the reprieved batsman went on to make 75.

Matt Crump and Rob Merry made good progress until Crump’s patience snapped and he was bowled shaping to belt a straight one over midwicket and then Merry was bowled just missing a similar delivery. Gates continued his involvement by running Rob Campbell out and when Hill was bowled we were wobbling on 40 for 4.

But the Headtstart twins took control, attritionally at first with Watkinson taking almost 20 minutes to get off the mark, but they did all that was needed. Once he had started, Watkinson cut loose and although he holed out to midwicket, Gates stayed until the end to make amends for all that had done before.

Sarasota 2007 - Sharks, golf and some dreadful cricket

Rob Merry reports on the second tour of the year, a return to the USA
Click here for tour photos

We travelled to this popular six-a-side tournament in Sarasota, Florida with a mix of youth and the experience offered by captain Henry Watkinson and Mike Chetwode – both of whom had been several times before. A few of us got there a day early to ‘acclimatise’ on the beach. The first night gave us an indication of what was to follow – our thanks to the wonderful hospitality shown by the extended Perry family.
While we were rarely found wanting in the drinking department, it was unfortunately a different story on the cricket pitch. It took the four young guns time to come to grips with the nature of six-a-side (five overs, five different bowlers, limited run-ups, two runs + another ball for wides and no-balls, and an artificial wicket). We failed to get bat on ball often enough, lacked enough big hitting and always had one poor over bowling.

Our first two games were probably against the weakest of the sides in our group and by the time we had found our feet with some strong hitting from both Jonny Gates and Sam Langmead we were up against stronger opposition. In the past we had always reached the quarter-finals but this year it was not to be. Our nightly antics probably had something to do with it and there were some useful players knocking about – Shiv Chanderpaul kindly agreeing to don the OC touring blazer.

Off the pitch we were equally unsuccessful! We had to get more golf balls delivered on our golf outing on what was admittedly a difficult but very impressive and enjoyable course. We did have some success in on a deep-sea fishing trip but whilst we were catching relatively little fish two Americans on our boat caught a shark!
Our partying really came to a head at the gala dinner, where Mac was guest speaker - our failure to make the finals day meant that we had nothing to hold back for. Other highlights included a trip to our sponsors – a local entertainment arena our dubious repute, some great dinners, thanksgiving partying, and the weak dollar!

Everyone enjoyed the trip, despite our cricketing prowess, or lack of it. A big thank you to Sarasota Cricket Club, the other teams and the extended Parry family – who provided wonderful hospitality throughout.

I’m sure that all the youngsters will return and hopefully Henry and Mike will join us. Damien has also lost no time in addressing our cricketing performance. He is spearheading the effort to get a OCCC six a side tournament up and running at Cranleigh sometime next summer – watch this space!

2007 averages - Young batsmen, old bowlers

Alan Cope, who had such a good India tour, topped the batting averages (Seren Waters and Stuart Meaker had higher averages but did not play enough to qualify) with his 61 against Harrow the innings of the season. He also made his first OC hundred at home � all four centuries came from players under 25. Dane Groenveld, back for a sabbatical from Australia, was in awesome form and played some thrilling attacking innings. Rob Merry found good form, but Johnny Gates, after a good start, again struggled. He will come good and few players deserve success more than him. Damien Hill was unable to capture his form of 2006, and Matt Crump was surprisingly out of sorts other than in the Brewers Cup final.

While his body may show signs of ageing, Michael Chetwode continues to be our most parsimonious bowler and yet again he tops the averages. You have to go back more than two decades to find the last time he was not either the leading wicket-taker or topped the averages. Another not-quite-so-old oldie, Henry Watkinson, equaled Chetwode's 11 wickets, while only Matt Crump, two decades Chetwode's junior, had a double-wicket tally. Alex Craven was the pick of the cup bowlers, although Cope had his moments in the Brewers Cup, but we lacked a spinner. Graham Webb, two years off 50, came back for the cup and showed what a class act he remains . He is also still able to fit into the whites he wore at school ... and how many of us can say that, Tristan?

Click here for the full averages

Season ends with a win at Elstead

OCs 256 for 9 (Johnson 63, Watkinson 38, Cope 29, Gates 24*, Henderson 22) beat Elstead 166 (Boxhall 30, Crump T 2-7, Williamson 2-16) by 90 runs

We finished our season with an emphatic 90-run win at Elstead, a new fixture and a pleasant way to complete a most successful summer. A record of 12 wins, two draws and the one defeat is probably the best in the club’s 118-year history.

Click here for the full report.

One change for Cricketer Cup second round

We make one change to the side that beat Harrow for the second round of the Cricketer Cup against Old Cholmelians on Sunday, June 24, Ed McGregor coming in for Johnny Gates.

Squad Michael Chetwode, Alan Cope, Eds Copleston, Alex Craven, Matt Crump, Will Howard (wk), Abeed Janmohamed, Rick Johnson, Rob Jones, Henry Watkinson (capt), Graham Webb.

The match takes place at Highgate School (click here for directions) and starts at 11.30am. Although, like us, they have their own old boys' sports club, Cricketer Cup rules state matches must be played at the school. The OCs are Highgate School old boys - the name, for the inquisitive, comes from School’s founder Sir Roger Cholmeley.

For the statistically minded, we have played the Old Cholmelians six times before, between 1921 and 1927, winning one, drawing one and losing the other six.

Rosenfeldt leads youthful CWT side

For the first time in the club’s history, we will be playing two cup matches on the same day. While the senior side travel to Old Cholmelians in the Cricket Cup second round on Sunday, June 24, Tristan Rosenfeldt leads an A team against Old Georgians in the second round of the Cricket World Trophy.

The side for that game, which starts at 11.00am on Jubilee, is as follows:
Tristan Rosenfeldt (capt), Graeme Brown, Tom Crump, Jonny Gates, Damien Hill, Jumbo Jupp, Sam Langmead, Rob Merry, Mike Roper, Phil Roper, Seren Waters.

The great thing is that the XI is young, with Brown the veteran at 29 and Rosenfeldt the second oldest (and by far the baldest) at 24. “As you can see this is a very youthful looking side and also one packed with quality,” said Rosenburg. “Many of us have played together but it will also be good to play with some of you guys for the first time, and I think this so called ‘Development Side’ really emphasises the strength in depth of talent the club has. I am very much looking forward to captaining this side.

“I am sure you all know, the Cricketer Cup side is playing on the same day hence the selection of this side. This game gives the opportunity for us all to play competitive cup cricket for the OC’s but also gives a platform to many of you to prove your worth and to start knocking on the door of Cricketer Cup selection, let’s give Henry and the selection committee some real headaches for future cup team selection.”

Cope steers us to dramatic last-ball win

Old Cranleighans 200 for 8 (50 overs: Cope 61, Howard 59, Morrison 3-34) beat Harrow Wanderers 197 (50 overs: Engelen 67*, Harmsworth 32, Norris 28, Watkinson 3-35, Chetwode 2-20, Craven 2-30, Webb 2-37)
Click here for match photos

The OCs first foray in the Cricketer Cup ended with a thrilling last-ball, two-wicket win of Harrow Wanderers in a match which ebbed and flowed from the off. The closing overs in front of a large OC Day crowd on a sun-drenched Jubilee were about as dramatic as you can get.

Click here for the full match report ...

King's Canterbury seen off in CWT first round

OCs 121 for 4 (Janmohamed 58*, Gates 29) beat King's Canterbury Old Boys 120 (A Williams 39, Watkinson 3-7, Cope 3-34) by six wickets
Click here for the full report

OCs won their first-round match in the Cricket World Trophy with a six-wicket win at King’s Canterbury, bowling the home side out for 120 and then knocking off the runs with almost 16 overs in hand. Henry Watkinson led the bowling with 3 for 7 and Alan Cope weighed in with 3 for 34. We lost two early wickets before Johnny Gates (28) and Abeed Janmohamed (58*) got us to 91 for 2 and despite losing two more wickets, the result was long since decided.