Home Match vs Datchworth 1st XI
21st June 2025 - Old Cholmeleians CC 1st XI (h) vs Datchworth CC 1st XI
With a full day’s sunshine forecast, skipper Thomas thankfully shunned Stokes’ example of bowling first and sent Datchworth out to toil instead.
The OCs whimpered in the shade, kept cool by an icebox full of slushies courtesy of the generous half of corporate sponsor Pullinger-McCaskill Landscaping Ltd, and watched on as Pranav and debutant Imran Afridi (15) embraced the heat to put on 53 for the first wicket. The OCs continued to score quickly racing to 104-2 off 17, the in-form Pranav (56) hitting his second half-century in four days following the game vs Highgate School.
The only thing more predictable than the muggy showers following the clear forecast was the OC collapse as the home side slumped to 124-6 off 24.
Boyce (34) and Qandeel (37) managed to get a foothold though, repeating the hallowed “bat the overs” mantra to one another as they fought back to 189-7 from 37 before a whirlwind finish from Pullinger (9) and Rory Blackshaw (8*), which included a Blackshaw reverse sweep and a run four, brought the OCs to finish on a season best 217.
The OCs showed intent by wolfing their teas to leave a full three minutes for catching practice - beating the second-longest catching practice of the season by three minutes.
Datchworth started well, getting to 59 off 15 before losing first blood to Farooq Khan on debut, going on to take stellar figures of 7.5-1-34-3, and bowling the OCs’ only maiden. Datchworths number 2 had bedded in though and looking dangerous…
At the other end, first change Martin (8-0-36-2) continued to probe, and having had their number 2 almost out three times in one over finally got the danger man to bring the score to 100-4 off 22.
At 69 required off 8 with 5 in hand, the game was in the OCs favour but not over yet.
Sensing the opposition might enjoy something savoury with the cakes they’d been served at tea, Boyce served the visitors up two pies in two balls. The gracious visitors returned the pleasantries with two soft wickets, Boyce going on to snaffle 6-0-20-3. Opening bowler Qandeel returned to help mop up the tail finishing on an attritional 8-0-13-2.
A solid and in-control performance, hitting the top score of the season and importantly taking four out of five catches, including a smart diving catch from Martin and a good grab from Thomas on the boundary, albeit at carbon copy of an earlier effort. The outfield season catch percentage rockets from 37.5% to 41.7% as the OCs politely shuffle into 6th in the league, headed in one direction only…