David Westcott on his way to 149 not out against Kent Babes

We lost to Reigate Pilgrims fielding a weak side and drew a high scoring game with Headley with their last pair at the wicket. White and Paul scored the bulk of the runs and Wayne Puttick collected 4 wickets in 9 balls. The longest game of cricket probably ever played in the course of a day took place at Merrow, which was won by the home side primarily because the OC's, fielding second, were mentally and physically exhausted when at 7.45 p.m. the target was reached with still another over to go. Tony and Roger Love-land batted together in a stand of 61 and Peter Rold caught a memorable steepler just before dusk!

We batted badly at Ardingly on a lively pitch. Dick Ward was the only recognised batsman to show any real application, although the captain with Neil Ruthven mustered some extra runs at the end of the innings. Ardingly at 44 for 5 were struggling, but the OC total of 112 was not enough.

The cricket "week" did not start on a very encouraging note. Uppingham Rovers with a strong side rolled us over for 90 and won by 8 wickets. In stark contrast to Saturday's match, 380 runs were scored the following day, and this on a pitch adjacent to the one used the day before. In 62 overs the Walcountians made 223 and at one period we looked like getting them, but Ray Baker, the former Surrey opening bowler, took 3 important wickets and we lost by 60 runs.

On Monday we beat the Kent Babes in a memorable game. David Westcott the current England hockey international, made 149 not out on his debut for us. He then proceeded to take five wickets and three catches. In addition to David's fine individual contribution, we won due to a good all round performance in the field and some fine bowling by Andy Staples.

Whilst Bob Willis was tearing into the Australian batting at Headingley, OC wickets tumbled at St George's Weybridge and we were beaten by 5 wickets. On Wednesday we played the President's XI in a match interrupted twice by rain. Nigel Paul's side had a hint of 'All our yesterdays' about it, but some good cricket was played. The OCs won by 6 wickets with Chetwode, Westcott, Thomas and John Wells scoring the runs.

Thursday was again very wet and against the Ardinians we were in and out of the pavilion countless times before the game was finally abandoned as a draw at tea. Ted Crowe brought the Blundellians down the following day to see two of his contemporaries Nigel Paul (98) and John McDermott (56) take his bowlers apart in a stand of 139. The OC's eventually won with 8 balls remaining by a margin of 12 runs.

Simon Ward captained the side on Saturday and with good scores from Corp (41) and Paul (76) the OCs scored 203. Peter Rollings, bowling at lively pace, took 6 for 55 but after the loss of early wickets the Nomads never looked like beating us. The last match of the week was against the Lancing Rovers, played on a pitch which behaved in a most peculiar fashion. The OCs were bowled out for 71, but in reply Lancing were 40 for 5 and could quite easily have lost the game. Bodansky and Chetwode (4-30) bowled exceptionally well.

We played Esher on a very warm September day. David Bugge, having just returned from the States, batted well with Simon Ward and, with runs coming at the end of the innings from John Cooke and Peter Shelley, the OCs totalled 188. Esher struggled early on, but finally won off the last ball of the day. A thoroughly enjoyable day and a grand way to end the season.

We welcomed several young OC cricketers to a club where the majority of players are in their mid twenties, so the long term outlook must be good. However, on this year's showing at least, one or two of the more seasoned players will be on the OC cricket trail next summer.

Thanks to Chris Carr who ran the 2nd XI, to others who organised sides and helped with the 'cricket week', especially Miles Taylor, John Cooke, Chris Hamm, Michael Chetwode and Martin Williamson.