Old Millfieldian CC v Wimbledon CC – 8th May 2016

15 minutes until to the start of the game and still no sign of OMCC’s super relaxed Skipper Nick Brothers!! A few quick ‘panic calls’ to his mobile phone quickly confirmed that Nick was “nuts deep”….. in traffic and still some 20 miles away from Wimbledon Cricket Ground!! No team ever enjoys fielding with just 10 players, therefore winning the toss was essential.

Back Row: Waller, King, Palmer, Lake, Morris, Bishop. Middle Row: O’Keefe Jnr., O’Keefe Snr., Absalom (Cpt.), Malone. Front Row: Fromson, Jenkins.

Stand-in Captain Michael Absalom stepped up to the plate and duly delivered, winning the toss and opting to bat first on a fantastic wicket, which looked stunning in glorious Spring sunshine. Game on!

King and Fromson quickly set about their business for OMCC on a wicket which kept lower than a dead dingo’s donga!! Helmets were quickly removed and OMCC’s opening pair got stuck in to the Wimbledon bowling attack. There was a fine splattering of boundaries early on and some sharp running between the wickets from the openers.

King was the first wicket of the day, bowled for 18 (27-1), bringing Bishop to the crease. A splendid 76 partnership then developed between Bishop and Fromson, which was only broken-up by a fantastic bit of fielding from Wimbledon, Bishop run out for 31 (103 -2). Waller was next in for OMCC and enjoyed a healthy “smack” out in the middle alongside Fromson, who was going strong and quickly passed the 50 mark. He was eventually caught for 57. So a steady platform for Old Millfieldian’s to build on with plenty of wickets in hand…..

Then the all too familiar “middle order collapse”!! Waller was caught for a solid 35 (166 – 4). He was then followed quickly back to the pavilion by Jenkins (3), O’Keefe (4), Lake (2) and Malone (1). Millfield slumping to 173 – 8. Wimbledon’s spin attack had succesfully ripped through the OMCC middle order.

There was a slight wag however in the OMCC tail with Captain Absalom coming in at number 9 to steady the ship, dispatching a barrage of boundaries before running himself out for a quick fire 30. Fear not! Palmer (34) and Morris (8) were on hand to ensure OMCC scored some vital late runs in their remaining overs, safely batting out their full quota of 40 and setting Wimbledon a healthy target of 248 to win.

After a “bang tidy” tea it was back to business for OMCC!

Morris and Jenkins opened the bowling and pinned the hosts back. An early wicket for Jenkins gave OMCC the ideal start (9 – 1). Lake and Palmer then came on and delivered what can only be described as an “economical spell” with Wimbledon struggling to get the ball off the square. After 20 overs Wimbledon CC were just 61 -2.

After the drinks break a revised bowling attack lead by King, O’keefe, Waller & Fromson ensured the Wimbledon Batsman could play a few more shots, but after such a slow start to their run chase Wimbledon had left themselves a mountain to climb. No amount of “pies” could rectify that! Wimbledon finished on 228 for 5 from their 40 overs. OMCC winning the game by just 20 runs in the end.

Catch of the day has to go to Fromson who held a terrific caught and bowled. “What a catch!!!” One of the most casual one handed catches I have ever seen!! Thanks to one and all for a fantastic day out. This is a cracking fixture and our hosts at Wimbledon CC did a wonderful job in making us all feel welcome. We look forward to doing it all again next year.

MA