Captain - Jamie Lyons

19th June - Sunday 1st XI vs Carnegie CC - Home

22/05/11 - OPCC vs Barnes CC - Lost

Having won last year in an epic final over thriller chasing down an unlikely 253 (including a maiden unbeaten ton from Kavit) we expected Barnes to pack their side with strong players. Sure enough the warm up drill being performed by Barnes on the outfield as we sauntered in casually, man and boy (callow youth -15 to grizzled elder – 66) did not bode well. Losing the toss in the teeth of a gale, we fielded first. Mad Jack Harrison and the Metronome (in sharp competition with his immaculate keeper son) kept Barnes quiet for 10 overs but the league second XI opener (having a game to get some runs under his belt) pasted a few ominously. Parvenu Will Yates (callow youth) was thrown in at the deep end just as Mr 2nd XI got going and despite turning the ball sharply on occasion took some stick. Things looked bleak as drinks arrived with 100 on the board and no break through. Andy ‘Hamptonian’ Evans was offered a pint by the skipper if he could get the star bat out and promptly obliged, snaring his prey for 80. Magic Speller went through the pain barrier in the hope of getting a few cheap wickets, Abbo supported well, mad Jack and the ‘Nome kept things within decency and Young Will returned with spirit to pick up his first wicket in senior cricket. Still 239 looked daunting.
 
Cat and Highboard started cautiously against some rather serious bowling from a high level Aussie, reaching 50 without loss, just about keeping us in touch. Highboard looked particularly fluent, playing one handed strokes with panache – a veritable right-handed Gower. Cat perished with a push to mid wicket that nestled in the fielder’s knees but even Cat admitted his luck was up. When Highboard eventually departed for 50 it became clear that the trademark one handers were in fact enforced by a thumb bruised to the size of a melon by consecutive blows from the Aussie’s quick ‘un.
 
The Magician hit a brisk 40 to threaten a chase with some lusty blows from Abbo and mad Jack giving us temporary hope but...but...it was never really on and we finished just short of 200 with a couple of wickets left. Still against this quality of opposition, it was a brave and dignified effort.