Following the Antigua tour and successful summer which followed in 1997 there was always a danger that 1998 would turn out to be something of an anti-climax. Unfortunately, the season never really got going and even when the appalling weather relented, the OCs struggled to do themselves justice.

That the match against Headley started was miraculous given the days of monsoon-like rain which had preceded it. Having won the toss the home side exploited some lacklustre bowling (the exception being Chetwode’s 4-28) to reach 187-6; a brief squall at tea led to the match being abandoned at the behest of the groundsman, a decision far from popular with the OCs.

The sun made a rare appearance for the visit of Lancing; unfortunately only eight Rovers turned up, killing the match as a meaningful contest. Their total of 118 was never going to be sufficient, although Watkinson in his spell as umpire tried to inject some excitement with some very dubious decisions. Steve Bailey (42*) and Simon Copleston (36*) batted in a manner which ensured that the game went the full distance.

The Week got off to an unfamiliar start at Esher when the OCs finished runners-up in a six-a-side tournament, entered as practice for the Florida trip later in the year.

Lodged for the first time in High Upfold (The Sixth Form Centre to those slightly older players), the Week proper got underway against Butterflies who were soon reduced to 58-6, Watkinson (5-19) doing most of the damage. They did recover to 127 but despite the usual mid-innings collapse (four wickets fell for the addition of 11 runs) the OCs eased home with five wickets to spare.

On the Tuesday the Stoics visited for the first time, although they bore a striking resemblance to the Cranleigh Village side they had been drafted in to replace. Before lunch the OCs bowled well and at 86-5 they should have polished off the tail with ease. As it was, they took just one more wicket and the Stoics reached 221-7. Watkinson (58) aside, the OCs batted with little determination and confronted with leg-spin they displayed a complete lack of technique to lose by 48 runs.

St George’s Weybridge for once produced runs and, as has so often been the case in recent years, a thrilling game. Chetwode, who has produced many of his finest performances against the Old Georgians, rescued the innings with a swashbuckling 56 and then took 4-45. From a position of authority the home side lost unnecessary wickets, including two suicidal run-outs, and ended up losing by 30 runs.

The Fettes-Loretto team was far weaker than has tended to be the case in recent years and replying to a modest OC total of 218-7 they collapsed to the gentle leg-spin of the veteran John Croysdill (5-30) for just 119. Croysdill, who reappeared from the jungle almost twenty years after his hasty departure from Cranleigh, was a pleasing addition to the week even if his blazer was not.

The Frogs match saw the Headmaster make a welcome debut for the club and the captain being no respecter of age gave him a lengthy spell up the hill. On a docile track the visitors had little problems with any of the bowlers and they were able to muster 253-6. This turned out to be a well judged declaration as the game went right to the last over; Ed Copleston (65*) and Simon Copleston (36*) built on the foundation laid by Mike Chase (72) to ease the OCs to a seven wicket win.

Rain then caused the abandonment of the matches against Old Hurstjohnians and Eton Ramblers before the OCs had the strange experience of playing an away match on Jubilee, against the Cryptics. A high scoring contest saw the OCs score 257-8 in reply to a formidable 273-5.

After the run-fest of 1997 the Old Wellingtonians clash was an anti-climax, the OCs total of 181 never being sufficient to trouble a strong Wellington batting line-up. The fixture against the Hedonists became the fourth victim of the inclement summer.

The season ended with a close match against Esher. Henry Watkinson blasted 60 ( his unusual haste caused by an impending Christening in the afternoon) to leave the home side chasing 196. The game went to the last ball when, with six required, the ninth Esher wicket fell to leave the game drawn.

There were few personal milestones during the season. The batting was unexceptional although Mike Chase, Henry Wakinson and the Coplestons all made timely contributions. Rick Johnson, Graeme Brown and Will Stephens all struggled to find form.

The bowling was still heavily reliant on Mike Chetwode, who finally abandoned the long run as his battle against an expanding waistline was lost, and he remained the most dangerous new ball bowler. Henry Watkinson had his moments, although the excuse that he could only bowl well if he wore a particular make of shirt left him open to justified ridicule. The lack of a spinner was a major failing and unfortunately Graeme Brown did not come on as had been hoped.

The winter months sees two overseas expeditions by the club. In November Henry Watkinson (hopefully in the right shirt) leads a side to Florida to take part in an international six-a-side competition which manager John McDermott promises will be eventful both off and on the pitch.

Then in March the club ventures into the lion’s den with a two week, five match tour of Sri Lanka. At least three of the matches will be on Test grounds and the trip culminates in a two-day game on the Test pitch in Colombo. The original itinerary, which included three two-day matches and a three-day game against a Sri Lanka Board XI (including a reception at the British High Commission on the second evening), had to be hastily re-arranged.

The usual thanks must go to Mike Chetwode in his final season (see below) who led and cajoled with equal perseverance; to John McDermott who endured the slings and arrows of outrageous abuse and then returned the same with interest; to Rick Johnson who arranged any number of ventures, some of which actually happened (it is rumoured that one may have made money); to Simon Copleston for arranging a fixture list despite the ‘help’ of others; and to everyone who played and, in increasing numbers, came to watch throughout the season.