Scorecard

Olney Town Cricket Club Olney Town CC 2nd XI v Milton Bryan CC on Sat 09 May 2009 at 1:30pm
Olney Town Cricket Club Won by 175 runs

Match report Sat 2nd XI record thumping victory with unbeaten century from Dave Hurley

A total-cricket performance from the 2nd XI on Saturday as everything finally clicked into place. The third game of the season also saw an appearance from our Captain as Bernie finally popped up from Southern Europe to lend his many (some might add another 'many') years of experience.

The big difference this week was that we had a batting performance to match that of our efforts in the field. There was a great contribution of 87 from Gratland's bat… I should say, 85 of those were whilst Gratland's bat was in the hands of Dave Harrison, who looked in great touch with a fine array of cover drives and the finest of leg glances, a flawless display (apart from leaving the straight one at the end). His opening partner Dave Hurley grafted for his first 50 as he tried to work his way through the suicidal tendencies that have dogged his previous batting displays this season, but came alive as he realised there might be another ton in it for him – getting there in the last of the 44 overs and protecting his average with 104 n.o. A well timed return to form, despite repeated chat from the opposition that they were drying up his runs source… (I can report on oppo. fielding chat from my much-occupied position of umpire, not that I am grumbling about our venerable captain's method of starting to list the batting order with 'No. 11 – James… No.1 Hurley, No. 2 Harrison etc' – the alternative to umpiring was sitting on the balcony taking dietary advice from Messrs. Gratland and Brown). Good old Eddie Extras chipped in with 17, and other wickets fell as we cashed in – at 244-6 we were sitting pretty at tea.

Which is a good point to stop and reflect on the benefits and luxuries of playing at home... Thanks to Amy for a marvellous tea – a great combination of pasta, Jaffa cakes and scones with cream (much to the pleasure of my dieticians) – my only regret was that we didn't bowl first so I couldn't take full advantage of the fayre on offer. Other benefits include: a firm and fast outfield and a cracking pitch, claimed as 'a batting paradise' by Milton Bryan at the half-way point (thanks to Griff and your team); a reasonably priced bar, with more than efficient service (thanks Hammer); hot showers; clean, secure changing rooms, a distinct absence of 8-year-old birthday party discos, oh, and our 'listed' captain (in this context I mean listed as in 'listed in the fixture list', not listed as in 'he's of ancient historical value and worth preserving').

Last season we wasted too many big totals and either failed to bowl sides out or got chased down – but going into the field this time we had confidence that we had the ability and spirit to get the 30 points. Bernie must have felt like Michael Vaughan in the '05 Ashes series as he made his first bowling change and things began to happen as the bowling just got better and better. Le Swingleur bent his back and got fast – causing all sorts of trouble for Milton Bryan and resulting in exclamations such as 'This is Division 5 isn't it?' and 'Hit that? It was past me before I saw it!' An outstanding performance from Brad as he returned 5 for 21 off 9.4 fast and furious overs – and all that into the wind. From the other end, James 'Son of Dave' Hurley was offering a pace, line and bounce that was causing real trouble, thoroughly deserving his 2 for 7 off 4 overs… excellent stuff from the 'Whispering Death'. The game was wrapped up as the Hurley's made a wicket keeping change to bring on Jon 'Other Son of Dave' Hurley who was a bit expensive as he chipped in with 2 for none off his one over. Evidently the captain's only mistake was selecting the wrong wicket keeper. Senior players were contemplating a Hurley breeding programme (this is 'senior' in every sense – when they brought the drinks out, there were at least four mugs of Horlicks and might be one of the fundamental flaws in the Hurley breeding programme).

Spirit in the field was amazing – everyone had a bit to play, whether it was Ross Knapper's 2 catches (including a near collision/annihilation of young James Hurley – a size mismatch not seen since David slung his sling) and some tight bowling and sharp fielding (they were 69 all out after all).

Winning is like brushing your teeth – it's a good habit and means you don't stink. I'm looking forward to carrying on with this habit next week and beyond - it's not unreasonable to suggest that this is the platform for a title challenge. What's that? He's getting ahead of himself? Nah this is the British Press, wild extrapolations from initial successes are what we do best. Seriously though – this kind of 175 run, total performance is a victory we can and should build from. The only other question then is, when are we going to see our 'Captain' next? It's not next week – he's off sunning himself again. Well done team

(btw if anyone has an issue with words like 'extrapolations' this was written by our very own doctor Dr Iain James)

Olney Town Cricket Club Olney Town CC 2nd XI Batting
244 for 6
Player Name RunsCatchesStumpingsRun outs
Dave Hurley Not Out  104
Dave Harrison Bowled  85
Bernie Gallyot Bowled  14
Ross Knapper Caught  0 2
Gary Brown Caught  9
Jon Hurley Bowled  9
Ray Filip Bowled  4
Simon Gratland Not Out  2
James Hurley  
Brad Swingler  
Iain James  

Milton Bryan CC Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Milton Bryan CC Batting
69 for 10
Player name Runs
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Olney Town Cricket Club Olney Town CC 2nd XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Iain James5.0115115.003.00
Ray Filip6.011200.002.00
Brad Swingler9.442154.202.17
James Hurley4.03723.501.75
Gary Brown3.01900.003.00
Jon Hurley1.01020.000.00