5/5/09 (Evening League) Ardleigh 67 for 9 lost to Real Oddies 71 for 4 by 6 wkts

Pete C and James took the Ardeigh top and middle order apart in the first 8 overs, with Pete P and Roger joining in the party with wickets. Top fielding with a superb catch in the deep from Pete Golden, a run out from Steve and Roger in combination and two catches for Johnny behind the stumps. Ron made a welcome return back in the fold after several years absence and fielded like an obsinate well pointed brick wall, which added up to restricting Ardleigh to a 67 for 9 from their 15 (6 ball) overs.

Roger and Tim got the Oddies off to a steady confident start, nicking and nurdling in a difficult blinding setting sun. Tim fell lbw to a dodgey slower ball after cracking a straight four. Fitzy the Fish hammered 11 of an over and was superbly caught behind. Roger was caught trying to force the pace and Steve was going great guns with Ashley until he was cught on the boundary off Bob with the scores tied. A quick 4 settled the game and a much needed victory

On a bright and sunny afternoon the ROCC team arrived at Chapel for the first league outing of the year. One player down but thankfully Terry stepped in at the last minute after working a night shift. Mike Tearle who had received a call earlier that morning come to the ground dressed in white in case the team was short, hasten to add after he had turned over the soil and attended to his carrots.

Pete (Captain) Clouter won the toss and elected to bat on a dry and fairly flat track.
Ron (Vice) Luis gave the team a good rousing pep talk raising awareness to enjoyment and social bad manners that this country has now become accustomed to, and explained in no uncertain terms that we are here to play cricket as a unit and play within the moral code and conduct in the sprit of the game.

Da phish took the game to Chapel from the off, earning him self a BJ in the first over.
Pete C faced a couple of balls before falling to a good ball on a length.
Turbs and Da Phish continued in good form for the next 8 or so overs scoring at about 4 an over while forcing Chapel into constantly change their fielding positions.
Da Phish (14) fell to a sharp catch at short mid off hitting a slight to early cover drive.
The Beast then entered the arena, with a slap and a bash forcing the fielders to the boundary Terry (12?) was caught out.
Pete P (14) looked nervous but positive in his approach with a few singles and creaming a beautiful square drive to the boundary, only to pull out of a shot over the top therefore dollying the ball back to the very surprised bowler.
Nigel H (??) then stepped up to the mark, for a minute or so before Geoff K took over. After a quick talk between Turbs and Mr knight with reference to: “ right we really must stay here now” and “ this is the first time we have batted together” Turbs (29) was bowled to a ball that kept low, hit the pad and followed on to knock the bails off. Great talk boys, that worked!
Johnnie J (0) than took on the roll of dot ball man for a short while before trying to pull a ball off middle to a very surprised fielder only four yards away on the leg side with open hands.
Pete Golden (??) then proved to the team and himself that there are some cricket shots in his armoury with a couple of shots over mid wicket and cover moving the score on to about 104 when Geoff in fell on his sword. In true Knight style, slapping his shins with his weapon, walked back to the round table for tea and cake.
Dave Golden (??) continued the good running between the wickets until his father run out of shots to play.
Ronnie boy (The Voice) then came to the crease to try and bat out the remaining 12 overs and together the boys pushed the score to 106 before leaving the field of play for a well earned cupper.
After a pleasant feast, a good cup of tea, a couple of smokes, a change of pants and a shot or two The Oddies walked on to the field ready to do some damage, to themselves.

Opening the bowling was Sir Lancelot and Mr Pearson, bowling a great line and length and at times slightly missing off stump. The Chapel opening batsmen, quick thinking, new they were not going to score to many off the bat so elected after a quick chat in the middle, to let the ball go past to the new waiting goby wicket keeper.
Keeping the score down and frustrating the batsmen whom I must say were very patient, the bowling change came with Da Phish and Pete C continuing the excellent bowling figures.
Having a low score to attack with more than 10 overs in addition the batting side looked comfortable.
A little rocky time came when Ted Wacket fell for not very many and the new batsmen just couldn’t cope with the turn and speed of Da phish or should that be Da Fish. They soon settled down and continued the low score but grinding run chase.
Nigella who had taken a very sharp catch from Da Phish’s bowling took the gloves off the goby one so he could have a bowl, putting The Oddies new spin attack to the fore, which was a surprise to all, when the ball did very little in the air and even less off the pitch. The new hefty looking slogger obviously wanted to finish this match slapping the ball to the boundary after being dropped on (0) naught and again on about 8 due to Dave Golden and Sir Lancelot both having to much battle grease on their hands. After a quick fire 15 or so he fell to first slip (Terrance) after a circus juggling act by the newly replaced wicket keeper.
JJ dropped the new younger batsmen on naught (0) nibbling to ball round the corner off a leading edge to a “viciously spinning ball” straight to him.

Chapel cruised home with four over throws at around 6pm with the sunny still shining and the smiles still on the Oddies faces.

A good day had by all, played in a good spirit, well done team.

19/4/09 (Friendly) Gt Horkesley bt Real Oddies by lots x2.

A great sunny day for a preseason warm-up - lovely homemade grub, dropped catches, sheep shit and lost balls featured in two 20/20 games where Geoff and Pete Lant top scored with 12 each.