David Bugge did not miss a game in 1984 and led the side to nine wins in nine matches in the Cricket Week

1984 was an outstanding season for the OCs. We won 12 matches and this included a series of nine wins in nine matches during the Cricket Week.

Sadly the School match was again rained off without a ball being bowled. Our season thus began against Cranleigh Village who scored 173for 8. The OCs run chase faltered at 152-8 and then the weather intervened and down came the rain.

Our first win was achieved against Hedley. Bugge and Chetwode bowled with penetration and we dismissed the home side for 122. We nearly made a mess of the chase, but got home thanks to an unbeaten 56 from David Bugge. At Merrow we enjoyed a run feast, scoring 156 for 3 at lunch and ending up with 238 for 9. Richard Ward made 57 and useful contributions came from Peter Russell, Simon Ward and David Bugg. Merrow were then bowled out for 166 with Peter Russell taking 5 wickets in 9 balls in a remarkable spell of bowling.

Ardingly put us in our place. Set 199 to chase, we had a total collapse and lost our last seven wickets for seven runs! Although John Hall, Captain of the OAs bowled well, this collapse reflected the vulnerability of our batting and we were all out for 89.

The Cricket Week allowed us to make amends and we did so in fine style. Uppingham were our first victims. Fine bowling from Stephen Isaac (4 for 16) and David Bugge (3 for 40) left us a total of 116 to chase. We reached that total for the loss of five wickets and notched up our second win in successive years against this fine cricketing school. On the Sunday against Walcountians we batted reasonably and scored 215. Key contributions came from John McDermott (51) Ian Wilkie (50) and David Bugge (50). We then dismissed the visitors for 95 with Richard Seeckts taking 4 wickets for five runs on his debut.

Kent Babes provided a very satisfying third win for the OCs. Batting first we reached 221 for 3 with David Cardwell showing class in his 87 not out and Henry Corp demonstrating a variety of strokeplay in his 48 not out. Kent Babes made absolutely no attempt to go for the total. Nevertheless we managed to bowl them out for 142 with Mike Chetwode (3 for 23) taking the last wicket in dramatic fashion at the death. We bowled and fielded well at St George's Weybridge. David Bugge with 5 for 53 and Mike Chetwode 4 for 42 extracted some movement and bounce and dismissed the home side for 118. Ian Wilkie (40) and Richard Ward (36) batted well and we won by seven wickets.

The President's game was reduced to limited overs as a result of rain. OCs batted at a tremendous scoring rate with Mike Chetwode striking the ball very powerfully in his 50. Willie Boulter (on a rare appearance in England from the Far East) scored an unbeaten 41 and Mathew Hansford 40 in our total of 212 for 5. The President's XI never got into their stride and were all out for 146.

The OCs batted reasonably well against the Coots and Donald Williams showed some fine strokes in his 51. Graham Webb destroyed the Coots with his orthodox left-arm spin and took 5 for 31 as we bowled them out for 98.

Old Blues provided our seventh win in a row. Ian Wilkie showed what a good opener he is with a fine 79 and Peter Russell hit a brisk 41 not out in the OC's total of 260 for 6. Again Graham Webb (4 for 69) proved decisive as we bowled them out for 190.

On a hot day, Nomads met the OCs in top form. We scored 297 for 2 with David Cardwell (127 not out) and Stephen Isaac (100 not out) batting magnificently in a club record partnership of 236. David Bugge (4 for 26) broke through early on and the Nomads stood at 24 for 6 at tea. They recovered but were all out for 130.

The final match of the Cricket Week was against Lancing. The OCs bowled and fielded well, maintaining pressure through-out the Lancing innings. Graham Webb had a fine spell, taking 6 for 51, as we bowled them out for 160. Again the OC batting displayed vulnerability. After a bad start, David Bugge (49) and David Cardwell (39) put us back on course. However, further wickets fell and it was left to Stephen Isaac (32 not out) in a very mature innings to see us home at 164 for 6. Victory over Lancing was the high point of a magnificent week.

At Reigate we were bowled out on a green wicket for 135 with David Bugg making a patient 48. The Pilgrims met some hostile bowling from Martin Howard (3 for 33) and Peter Russell (3 for 10) and were dismissed for 91.

The final match of the season was played in gloomy conditions. Esher batted first. Andrew Bernard scored a fine 100 and the home side declared at 196 for 9. John McDermott and Nigel Paul were both playing for Esher, but (fortunately) did not have any luck with the bat. The OCs faced a difficult chase and reached 101 for 5 when rain stopped play. The weather thus had the last say in both our first and last matches of 1984.

1984 was the best season recorded by the OCs for many years. We played very much as a team and good performances were provided by a number of players. Above all, we played a lot of very enjoyable cricket and had tremendous fun. Many thanks to Colin White, Simon Ward, Henry Corp, Martin Williamson, Andy Loates, David Cardwell, Peter Shelley and John McDermott.

There is always a welcome for Cranleighans who enjoy their cricket, and those interested in playing with the OCs should contact the secretary.