GCC vs. OPCC Match Report

To those lamenting the return of the heavy roller to the county game – come see Holloway Hill. On a glorious Saturday morning, with Godalming’s Australian contingent scrambling desperately for the few holes remaining in the ground that hadn’t yet swallowed up their compatriots in the wake of Lions glory, GCC welcomed Old Paulines (OPs).

With the mercury rocketing, GCC were asked to bat first on what looked a suspiciously inert looking track. Mayne and Milner once again opened the innings. The hosts had reached 30 without alarm in the 7th, when Berkett got one to jag back and remove Milner’s off pole. The home side were then firmly in the mire when Shepherd was done by Edrich’s outswinger, and Agge was out lbw to the very next ball. 32-3 off just eight overs.

Pop star O’Day strode confidently to the crease, and alongside skipper Maine, set about restoring some order. With the early demons in the pitch banished, a steady partnership ensued. Both batsmen reached solid 50s. Thereafter however, the pace of the innings altered dramatically.

O’Day took it upon himself to up the rate, and began systematically dismantling the visitor’s attack. Although exuding confidence to the point of bravado, the full variety of shots displayed (in particular the late cut) were measured, and beautifully executed. Much like GCC’s very own stumper; he was smoking. Having built steadily to reach 50, the young Australian charged to his tonne like a Dukes to a BBQ.

Despite somewhat playing second fiddle, all the while Maine constructed a similarly impressive innings of 91. In the sweltering heat, the skipper also provided useful confirmation that ginger folk are in fact not sun worshipers. With the skipper looking to give his side the maximum overs at the opposition, he admirably declared just short of his own tonne. O’Day finished with a quite outstanding 141no from just 113 balls, including 26 boundaries, in a partnership of 240 with Mayne. All and sundry rose to acknowledge the feat, including a rogue Maltese Lhasa apso. Having toiled in the heat, OPs would have 58 overs back to chase 275.

The home side were however all too aware that ten wickets would prove difficult on such a lifeless deck. Opting again to take the old ball, spin doctors Agge and Hickey looked to tweak an early scalp. After a stodgy start, the latter duly obliged when Newsome found Shepherd in the deep. Agge then had Rigby trapped in front to leave the visitors 39-2 off ten.

Duncan however began to show ominous fluency. A useful partnership with Edmonds was broken by the typically reliable Elgar when the new ball was taken in the 13th, bringing Peters to the crease. Mirroring the host’s innings, the opening bat and number five duly set about upping the ante. Both played with great control, with Peters in particular adding impetus to the innings. When the pair both reached 50s, the momentum had shifted from OPs just looking to survive, back to a genuine contest.

Peters got a reprieve just after reaching his half century, when a nick off Milner was dropped behind the stumps. He took full advantage, lofting three maximums in an innings that drove the visitors towards the total. GCC rotated the bowlers in search of a breakthrough, but were met largely with diligent running and well measured hitting. Peters spent a few nervous moments on 99, before scampering a single to bring about an excellent run-a-ball hundred. He was removed shortly after when adjudged lbw to Sewell, and although the home side sensed a glimpse when Agge removed Light shortly after in the same fashion, in reality the writing was well and truly on the wall. Duncan reached his own century, and took his side to victory with a lofted drive to long on.

While the innings of the day belonged to GCC’s O’Day, great credit must go to OPs’ Duncan and Peters for the calm and measured way they negotiated a big chase and ensured their side ran out deserved winners.