OCs Fall Narrowly in Thrilling Cricketer Trophy Opener
OC Cricketer Trophy Team:
Back Row: Will Frais(vice-captain) (EG 2023), Max Roxburgh, David Amato (TL 1988)
Middle Row: Ollie Jenne (EG 2010), Nigel Bacon (SH 1980), Eddie Wass (WG 1987), Magnus Pierre (NG 2013)
Front Row : Stuart Evans (scorer), Sam Khalique (HG 1995), Eddie Tse (captain) (SG 2013), Jack Atchinson (SH 2005), Henry Everitt (WG 2020), Nick Friend (MG 2013)
Cricketer Trophy 1st Round - Match Report by Jon Zani (Old Cholmeleians CC Chair)
OCs vs Old Millhillians CC
Result: Lost by 3 wickets
Old Cholmeleians CC: 192
Old Millhillians CC: 194-7
The OC Cricketer Trophy Team played at Mill Hill School in the first round of the Cricketer Trophy competition last Sunday. The OCs lost an enthralling `local derby` in a match that could have gone either way. The hosts won an important toss and eagerly chose to bowl on a green wicket in early bowler-friendly overcast conditions. Opening bat, Will Frais (EG 2023) was unfortunately delayed which resulted in re-organising of the batting line up and the OCs were in some trouble early on at 24-3 and then 46-4 when Frais came to the crease.
Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals when last man Ollie Jenne (EG 2010) joined him with the score on 100-9. This is when Will completely took over. Their tactics were simple, effective and carried out with impressive precision. Will would face 4 or 5 balls of each over, when he would find a way to take a single and Ollie would play a dead bat with solid defence. Will proceeded to amass a masterful century with an array of effortless but powerful drives, pulls, cuts, glides, flicks and sweeps (including reverse sweeps!) His score of 115 contained no fewer than 8 towering 6s and 9 blistering 4s and let`s not forget Ollie`s resilient 0 not out! They put on 92 in just 44 minutes in a partnership that completely transformed the score.
At 192 all out the OCs fancied their chances and wickets fell at regular intervals. Evergreen spinner David Amato (TL 1988) (10-1-27-2) was the pick of their bowlers and was well supported particularly by Sam Khalique (HG 1995) and skipper Eddie Tse (SG 2013). At drinks the OCs were well on top with the hosts on 117-7 but the sun had come out, the wicket now playing true and the bowlers were tiring. Credit where it’s due, home batters S Bogiatzis 58* and B Balcom 26* batted sensibly and saw them home by 3 wickets. The OCs were left to rue what might (should ?) have been as they had dropped Bogiatzis twice and he rode his luck in surviving a runout chance.
There were many positives for the OCs to take away from this performance, including it being great to have recent leaver Max Roxburgh making his debut … but the lasting memory for many will be Will`s outstanding innings – I have not seen a better ton made by an OC in my 40 years following them! Onwards and upwards!
Image: OC Cricketer Trophy Team:
Back Row: Will Frais(vice-captain) (EG 2023), Max Roxburgh, David Amato (TL 1988)
Middle Row: Ollie Jenne (EG 2010), Nigel Bacon (SH 1980), Eddie Wass (WG 1987), Magnus Pierre (NG 2013)
Front Row : Stuart Evans (scorer), Sam Khalique (HG 1995), Eddie Tse (captain) (SG 2013), Jack Atchinson (SH 2005), Henry Everitt (WG 2020), Nick Friend (MG 2013)
OC Cricket League Update
1st XI vs Old Camdenians CC 1st XI
Result: Lost by 10 wickets
Old Cholmeleians CC 1s: 92 (25.3)
Old Camdenians CC 1s: 130/9
The 1st XI were beaten by 38 runs by Old Camdenians CC 2nd XI. T. Rahman impressed with a superb 4/27, while P. Baharat led the chase with a well-made 42, but OCs were bowled out for 92 in pursuit of 131.
2nd XI vs St Albans CC 2nd XI
Result: Lost by 9 wickets
Old Cholmeleians CC 2s: 68 (32)
St Albans CC 2s: 72/1 (14.5)
The 2nd XI also battled hard but fell to a 9‑wicket defeat against St Albans CC 4th XI. A. Nisiri top-scored with 22, though St Albans chased down 68 quickly.
Plenty of positives to build on as OCs look ahead to the next round of matches.
1s: T Rahman – 4/27; P Baharat 42
2s: A Nisiri 22