OC trio in first-class action

A remarkable day for Cranleigh and Old Cranleighan cricket on April 10 with three players in action in first-class matches.

At The Oval, Stuart Meaker was in action for Surrey against Derbyshire, taking 2 for 58 as Surrey struggled at the start of the County Championship season.

At Canterbury, Alan Cope was captaining Loughborough MCCU against Kent, while at Durham, Seren Waters took his debut first-class wicket for Durham MCCU against Nottinghamshire.

Roper ensures we finish on a high

Old Cranleighans 252 for 9 dec (Crump T 51, Cowdrey 36, Cope 30, Hannah 24*, Roper M 23) beat Old Tonbridgians 180 (Hedley 40, Crump T 2-11, Crump M 2-16, Langmead 2-19) by 72 runs

A winless cricket week was avoided thanks to a last-day victory over Old Tonbridgians, a result which gave us an atom of revenge for the Cricketer Cup defeat at the end of June. After several captains had huffed and puffed without success, it was the calm head of Mike Roper who resisted the chairman’s moans, declared at the perfect time, and then rotated his bowlers in an almost Brearleyesque way.

Our innings was very much like England’s at Cardiff two day’s before. Most batsmen got started, none went on to play a big innings. Tom Crump scored his second fifty in as many days, Rob Cowdrey, Alan Cope and Roper all looked assured until getting out, but only a tenth-wicket stand of 36 between Matt Crump (demoted to No. 11 after his misdemeanour of 24 hours earlier) and Elliott Hannah enabled us to post a decent score.

Tonbridge had a similar problem – lots of cameos, no substantial knock. They also engineered a comedy run-out and contrive red to play some woeful shots, none worse than the top edge of the rankest of long hops from Chris Porter which accounted for Makepeace just as he appeared set to take our part-time spinners to the cleaners.

Matt Crump, opening the attack, was heard to say as he marked out his run that at least he wouldn’t be treated with as much disrespect as he had been during the Cricketer Cup tie. There was loud tittering as his first delivery disappeared high into Clare’s Oak; the second ball of his next over almost cleared it.

A couple of chances went begging but generally we fielded well. Mike Chetwode bowled well but came in for some tap, Cope bowled some suspect offspin and didn’t. Sam Langmead, sporting sideburns not seen at Cranleigh since Queen Victoria was on the throne, picked up two good wickets with his bustling medium-pacers, and the game ended with the Crumps brothers whirling away with what can loosely be described as spin.

The day finished with the now-traditional Rick Johnson BBQ. While usually a gourmet delight, on this occasion he managed to buy some of sickest burgers and sausages ever produced but once he had charcoaled them, few noticed the difference. Until an unwelcome gurgling stomach woke them at 3am …

Double defeat by the School

Cranleigh School 242 (Allan 76, Cowdrey 40, Austin 46*, Langmead 42, Harman 3-64) beat Old Cranleighans 178 (Cope 51, Davies 4-44) by 64 runs

For the second year running, we fielded a side of recent leavers in this annual game, although the intended captain, Seren Waters, was absent on international duty with Kenya.
This was the final match of the School’s year and, again in a break with tradition which we hope will continue, the start of the OC week.

Duncan Allan, who had been the mainstay of the School’s innings in the T20 game five days earlier, again provided the anchor with 76, although this time he received good support. Paddy Harman was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 64.

Cope, in only his third innings of the summer, got us off to a flier and while he was in full flow the School were on the back foot. But he miscued when on 51 and it with time running out it was generally expected we would shut up shop, as per absentee captain Eds Copleston’s instructions. But something got lost in translation, the batsmen kept hitting out, and we were well beaten with almost ten overs remaining.

Cranleigh School 138 for 9 (Allan 42) beat Old Cranleighans 129 for 6 by nine runs

History was made on Speech Day when we played our first Twenty20 encounter against the School, an experiment that was well received by all concerned and one that is likely to be repeated in the years to come.

Neither side had much experience in the format, most batsmen seeming to believe slogging was the required tactic. Allan provided the backbone of the School’s innings but at a slow run-rate. In the end, however, it was the difference between the sides.

A win to end the tour

Click here for the day's photos

The final match of the tour and the last chance for new but under-fire captain Eds Copleston to rescue his shredded reputation. The day started with a fascinating tour of one of South Africa’s biggest townships and from there moved on to the match. The intended venue at had, sadly, fallen victim to vandalism and looting and cricket there has all but died out. Nevertheless, we had an opposition, although our travelling support was issued with strict orders not to move from immediately in front of the pavilion … it seems the previous side had ignored this rule and had paid the price.

We batted first and yet again our top order failed to fire, proof if it were needed that combining excessive alcohol and no sleep is no way to prepare for a game. Matt Crump made 23 but it wasn’t until Damian Hill thumped 29 and with Alex Craven and Mike Roper making late runs, we were able to post 152 for 8. Tristan Rosenfeldt’s tour came to an end when he was hit on the finger, his you-can-get-gloves-cheaply-in-Mumbai equipment offering as much protection as a meringue. He departed muttering “when will bloody India stop haunting me” only to reappear with a comedy bandage on his hand, more befitting someone who had trapped his hand in a machine.

It seemed as if it would be four losses in four when we conceded 11 wides in the first five overs as the home side raced to 34 for 0. But then we suddenly found some bottle. Michael Chetwode restored some much-needed control and then part-time spinners Matt and Tom Crump and Alan Cope chipped away at the batting. There were still some glitches – Tom Crump managed an 11-ball over – and the odd dropped catch, but we still put ourselves in a winning position before some late jitters took the match almost to the wire. Cool heads prevailed and as the run-rate climbed, we grabbed the last two wickets and finally had our win on tour.

Presentations followed – we waited to see if Copleston would use the same “this is the most beautiful ground we have played at” speech but even he realised that would be too much – which included handing over more Alive and Kicking footballs. A detour at a township bar – where the “barmaid” served from behind a Fort Knox-like system of grills – followed before we headed home.

After a brief pit stop we headed to Newlands for the end-of-tour dinner in the chairman’s dining room. We took the group photo in the middle with Table Mountain in the background and headed inside. Within minutes we were back out on the square to have another group photo, this time including the Johnsons who, inevitably, were late. Not Rick’s fault. Obviously.

The dinner was followed by closing fines and awards. The batsman of the tour was Damian Hill, the bowler Michael Chetwode, the fielder Tom Merry, and the overall Man of the Tour Keith Crump, whose uncomplaining good humour and ability to ignore the worst excesses of his sons was an example to all.

A few late-tour arguments ended the evening, various pubs were visited and the last of the squad returned to the hotel at 10am, complete with lurid tales.

Happy New Year!

Click here for the day's photos

There can be few more unsuitable ways to prepare for a long hard night of partying than spending the day battling the Zambezi river during five hours of intense white water rafting. Copleston apart, this is what the majority of us did and it was exhilarating. In the stunning deep gorge in scorching sun we took on rapids with names such as the 'Washing Machine' and the 'Devils Daughter'. Flipping over in the middle of some grade 4 rapids and getting stuck under an upside down boat can be a little hairy. However fun was had by all.

Minutes after arriving back at the hotel from the rafting trip we were departing for a more sedate form of water activity - a sunset cruise aboard an exclusively chartered boat with as much food and drink as we could consume. Floating alongside crocodiles and hippos wasn't going to stop an over 25's versus under 25's boat race. Some impressive downing from the young shavers Cope and Roper left it all for Rosenfeldt to do on the home straight but, despite pouring half of the bottle of beer down his front, he couldn't secure a win for the older crew.

Following the boat trip we rocked up at the Waterfront Hotel for Livingstone's biggest party. Despite the rest of the party goers appearing to be under 18 to begin with, the cheap alcohol flowed and the crowd matured. An absolute cracker of a night ensued.

Appeals fail at the Falls

Click here for the day's photos

For those avid follows of the blog (I am assured there are a few!!) - apologies for the delay in getting this to you, a combination of being very busy and a few connectivity issues are to blame ...

Our trip from Lusaka to Livingstone did not start particularly successfully - the issue of lots of kit (familiar to anyone who has toured with the OCs before was to blame. Just outside Livingstone we had a fascinating tour of the Lusaka Alive and Kicking factory, run by Chris Roe (an OC who left in 2001). The charity produces footballs and netballs with health messages which they then distribute, along with educational seminars, to schools and townships across Africa (www.aliveandkicking.org.uk). The tour gave us a fascinating insight to the work the charity does as well as the opportunity to pick up some balls that several benefactors and our sponsors have kindly donated, to distribute in Zambia and South Africa.

Our 7 hour estimate for the coach soon became interesting... The road from Lusaka most of the way to Livingstone was exceptional, pot holes about as evident as an OC tourist drinking water at dinner. Unfortunately the road then ended (literally) and we hit 'roads' that would have and did challenge any vehicle, let alone a coach. All I can say is that it was a great relief that we finally made it to the hotel. The next day we has a great game drive around the Mosi-oa-tunda ('The smoke that thunders' - the local name for the Victoria Falls) - where we got up close and personal with hippos, impala, wildebeest, buffalo, baboons, zebras, giraffes, birds, snakes and lizards.

Following the game drive we went to learn more about the various activities on offer over a beer (thanks Karien!). The tourists had clearly developed a taste for the adrenaline rush of the coach journey as white water rafting, bungee jumps, walking with the lions, going to Livingstone Island to sit in a plunge pool and helicopter rides all proved popular as well as the New Years Eve cruise / party that had already been booked! The afternoon was spent by the poolside in splendid sunshine. Unfortunately the pool also led to our first casualty of tour, Matt Crump unfortunately getting a perforated eardrum from a stray elbow in the pool - we wish him well for a speedy recovery.

The only thing powerful enough to drag people away from a sunlounger or game of volleyball over the bridge in the pool (our invention which is now practically an institution) was the waterfall that backs on to the hotel. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Victoria Falls truly has to be seen to be believed and all stood in awe perilously close to the edge trying to get the perfect picture, whilst getting absolutely soaked. We were able to further appreciate this marvel at sunset, over drinks on the veranda at our regal sister hotel. This was followed by fines, where the first (and a particularly weak) appeal by Alan Cope, for not wearing the dick of the day cravat, was denied by the tour committee. Dinner saw the first successful appeal by Mike Chetwode (experienced in such matters) to the detriment of the accuser Eds Copleston (who should have known better).

We are all very much looking forward to the rafting and New Years Eve festivities. Happy New Year to all! Rob Merry

Cope top scores in Cockspur Cup final

Alan Cope enjoyed a good day for Malden Wanderers against Kibworth at Lord’s in the Cockspur Cup final, although rain washed out the match which will now have to be replayed on September 22 at Chelmsford. Cope top scored with 47 as Malden Wanderers, who were 19 for 4 shortly after he arrived in the middle, eventually made 144. He then ran out Kibworth’s opener with a direct hit from 15 yards to leave them wobbling on 9 for 2 when the rains came.

One change for Cricketer Cup final

The side for the Cricketer Cup final against holders Old Malvernians at Richmond is as follows:-

Seren Waters, Will Howard (wk), Matt Crump, Abeed Janmohamed, Stuart Meaker, James Halton, Tom Crump, Eds Copleston, Phil Roper, Henry Watkinson (capt), Michael Chetwode. 12th man: Jumbo Jupp.

There is one change from the semi-final XI, with Stuart Meaker back from England Under-19 duties to replace Alan Cope who is playing for Malden Wanderers.

Cranleigh School will have a marquee on the ground for OCs.

Click here for a map of how to find the venue. The game starts at 11.30am.

And now to the final

OCs 219 for 7 (Waters 57, M Crump 51) beat Old Alleynians 218 for 9 (Roy 57) by three wickets
Click here for match photos

After three convincing and yet relatively straightforward wins, the semi-final against Old Alleynians was a far tougher affair, although the margin of our victory – three wickets – rather distorted our fairly calm progress until a late flurry of wickets within sight of the finish. The result was a place in the final at only the second time of asking, vindication for the organisers in allowing a new side into the competition for the first time in 40 years last summer, and also for the strength of Cranleigh cricket.

We had lost Stuart Meaker days before the game, called into the England Under-19 side for the Test series against New Zealand, and 19-year-old James Halton, a batsman highly rated by Stuart Welsh, came into the side. The weather was a rare scorcer in this otherwise wretched summer, and Alleynians had little hesitation on batting when again Henry Watkinson lost the toss.

Alan Cope opened with a brace of wides, but Watkinson, as he has so often done, broke through with the new ball, although on a good batting pitch, runs came quickly, especially when width was offered. But the innings turned on two run-outs. The first was a brilliant example of team-work, a seemingly fruitless chase to deep midwicket, a diving flick back on the rope to Seren Waters who had chased all the way as well, a bullet-like throw and a smart flick from Will Howard to leave the batsman inches short seeking a seemingly comfortable second.

Chris Jordan of Surrey, allowed to play on the condition he didn’t bowl fast, nonchalantly flicked Michael Chetwode off his legs to get off the mark and it appeared we were in for a long day in the field. But in the next over Roy pushed to point, Jordan called for a risky single only to be turned back and was never in the frame as Eds Coipleston’s throw scored a direct hit at the bowler’s end. Not needed as a batsman in the three previous rounds, it was his first real contribution to the cup run, but possibly it was a match-winning one. Jordan trooped off as the disbelieving Cranleighans mobbed the man with the plastacine arm.

Rattled, the Alleynians then found themselves pegged down by the teenage spinning duo of Waters and Phil Roper. Waters’ nagging legspin from the top end was hard to get away, while Roper, brought into the side in the previous round for the crocked Graham Webb, showed real potential.


Lunsh was entertaining, a barbeque on the run as Rick Johnson slightly miscalculated the time needed to cook chicken, but our young batsmen again came up with the goods when we started our chase. Howard and Waters made another good start, but hopes of another Howard onslaught were ended when he was caught behind for 20.

Matt Crump joined Waters and the scoring rate picked up as they took the score to 101 before Waters was caught behind off the bowling of Sivakumaran for 57. Cope arrived at the crease and looked at ease until falling LBW following an injudicious reverse sweep to a straight ball from Jordan, bowling off spin. It was not the first time the stroke had caused his downfall and won’t be the last.

The scoring rate had been good all the way through - however, with the arrival of Abeed Janmohamed, it picked up markedly. Hooking, pulling and driving the Dulwich opening bowler to distraction, Janmohamed made 35 in quick time before being caught on the boundary at long-leg going for another six. At 182 for 3, with Matt Crump again making batting look easy, we had one foot in the final. But Dulwich never gave up and, with the fall of the fourth wicket our lower middle order was exposed for the first time in the competition. A mini-collapse followed as we lost three further wickets in short order, including that of Crump to a top-edged swipe to leg for 51. Luckily, time was irrelevant and Tom Crump, aided first by Copleston and then by Roper, finally saw us home with Watkinson and Chetwode nervously padded up on the boundary.

“We have made it to the final at our first real attempt which is a testament to the strength of the school's cricket at the moment,” noted former captain and super veteran Michael Chetwode. “We mustn't forget that more than half this side are under 21 and, of the others, only two are over 30 (no names!). Dulwich came with what appeared to be a strong and well organised side but they should have been blown away. It's a credit to their tenacity and fighting spirit that they were in with a chance (however small) at the end despite looking down and out for long periods. It also shows that we can't be complacent in any facet of our game. We meet Old Malvernians on August 17 at Richmond and they will prove to be an altogether tougher assignment.”

Cheltenham brushed aside as semi-final looms

OCs 183 for 1 (Howard 89*, M Crump 69*) beat Old Cheltonians 182 (Lawrence 98, Brooksbank 29, M Crump 3-25, Watkinson 2-28, Waters 2-37, Chetwode 1-39, Cope 1-50) by nine wickets

On a glorious day in the almost perfect setting of Cheltenham College, we progressed through to the semi-finals of the Cricketer Cup with an emphatic nine-wicket win over Old Cheltonians, a victory achieved with almost 24 overs to spare.

The day got off to a dream start when Alan Cope struck first ball, the Cheltonian opener padding up to a delivery which held its line. For the next 45 minutes things went rather awry, Cope in particular coming in for some stick. At 70 for 1 after 12 overs, the home side seemed poised to rack up a large score on a good pitch. But Michael Chetwode and Seren Waters (younger than two of his bowling partner’s daughters) re-established control and then Matt Crump ripped through the middle order with three quick wickets, the best courtesy of an excellent leg-side stumping from Will Howard.

Cheltenham’s other opener, David Lawrence, familiar to members of the OCHC where he spends his winters, batted superbly to help his team close in on a decent score, and he was robbed of what would have been a deserved hundred when run-out by a direct hit from Cope when on 98. Nevertheless, the last three wickets added 71 to enable Cheltonians to post 182.

Waters and Howard got us off to a decent start before Waters fell for 15. But from 35 for 1, the batsmen took complete control. Howard, who admitted to being in a hurry because of a liaison with five American ladies in Fulham at 7.30pm, played in his typicall idiosyncratic manner, always offering bowlers hope but plundering runs with speed. He made the most of a reprieve when caught behind off a no-ball. Matt Crump, the hero of the second round, provided the perfect foil, unleashing some exquisite strokes without looking troubled.

In three games we have lost five wickets and, to date, our middle order has really not been tested. Spare a thought for Eds Copleston who has not bowled or batted so far in the competition.

We now face Dulwich, who beat Felsted in their quarter-final, on Jubilee on July 27.

Cope and Meaker join first-class ranks

Congratulations to Alan Cope, who became the second OC to make their first-class debut this summer. In April, Stuart Meaker, who played for England in the Under-19 World Cup over the winter, turned out for Surrey against Loughborough UCCE, taking one wicket in a rain-blighted match. Cope made his debut for Loughborough UCCE against Worcestershire.

2007 averages - Young batsmen, old bowlers

Alan Cope, who had such a good India tour, topped the batting averages (Seren Waters and Stuart Meaker had higher averages but did not play enough to qualify) with his 61 against Harrow the innings of the season. He also made his first OC hundred at home � all four centuries came from players under 25. Dane Groenveld, back for a sabbatical from Australia, was in awesome form and played some thrilling attacking innings. Rob Merry found good form, but Johnny Gates, after a good start, again struggled. He will come good and few players deserve success more than him. Damien Hill was unable to capture his form of 2006, and Matt Crump was surprisingly out of sorts other than in the Brewers Cup final.

While his body may show signs of ageing, Michael Chetwode continues to be our most parsimonious bowler and yet again he tops the averages. You have to go back more than two decades to find the last time he was not either the leading wicket-taker or topped the averages. Another not-quite-so-old oldie, Henry Watkinson, equaled Chetwode's 11 wickets, while only Matt Crump, two decades Chetwode's junior, had a double-wicket tally. Alex Craven was the pick of the cup bowlers, although Cope had his moments in the Brewers Cup, but we lacked a spinner. Graham Webb, two years off 50, came back for the cup and showed what a class act he remains . He is also still able to fit into the whites he wore at school ... and how many of us can say that, Tristan?

Click here for the full averages

Season ends with a win at Elstead

OCs 256 for 9 (Johnson 63, Watkinson 38, Cope 29, Gates 24*, Henderson 22) beat Elstead 166 (Boxhall 30, Crump T 2-7, Williamson 2-16) by 90 runs

We finished our season with an emphatic 90-run win at Elstead, a new fixture and a pleasant way to complete a most successful summer. A record of 12 wins, two draws and the one defeat is probably the best in the club’s 118-year history.

Click here for the full report.

One change for Cricketer Cup second round

We make one change to the side that beat Harrow for the second round of the Cricketer Cup against Old Cholmelians on Sunday, June 24, Ed McGregor coming in for Johnny Gates.

Squad Michael Chetwode, Alan Cope, Eds Copleston, Alex Craven, Matt Crump, Will Howard (wk), Abeed Janmohamed, Rick Johnson, Rob Jones, Henry Watkinson (capt), Graham Webb.

The match takes place at Highgate School (click here for directions) and starts at 11.30am. Although, like us, they have their own old boys' sports club, Cricketer Cup rules state matches must be played at the school. The OCs are Highgate School old boys - the name, for the inquisitive, comes from School’s founder Sir Roger Cholmeley.

For the statistically minded, we have played the Old Cholmelians six times before, between 1921 and 1927, winning one, drawing one and losing the other six.

Cope steers us to dramatic last-ball win

Old Cranleighans 200 for 8 (50 overs: Cope 61, Howard 59, Morrison 3-34) beat Harrow Wanderers 197 (50 overs: Engelen 67*, Harmsworth 32, Norris 28, Watkinson 3-35, Chetwode 2-20, Craven 2-30, Webb 2-37)
Click here for match photos

The OCs first foray in the Cricketer Cup ended with a thrilling last-ball, two-wicket win of Harrow Wanderers in a match which ebbed and flowed from the off. The closing overs in front of a large OC Day crowd on a sun-drenched Jubilee were about as dramatic as you can get.

Click here for the full match report ...

Watkinson leads us into Cricketer Cup

The following have been picked to play for the club in our first Cricketer Cup match, against Harrow Wanderers on Jubilee on Sunday, June 10. The game starts at 11.00am.
As it is also OC Day, so everyone is welcome. Bring a picnic!

Michael Chetwode, Alan Cope, Eds Copleston, Alex Craven, Matt Crump, Will Howard (wk), Abeed Janmohamed, Rick Johnson, Rob Jones, Henry Watkinson (capt), Graham Webb.

Graham Webb makes his first cup appearance since we lost to Reigate in the semi-final of the Cricket World Trophy back in July 1990. At 46, he is the oldest person to take part in a cup tie for the club, robbing Mike Chetwode, a youthful 44, of that honour. Rob Jones, Alex Craven, Matt Crump and Alan Cope were not born when they left Cranleigh. Cope and Crump are also younger than Chetwode’s daughter!

King's Canterbury seen off in CWT first round

OCs 121 for 4 (Janmohamed 58*, Gates 29) beat King's Canterbury Old Boys 120 (A Williams 39, Watkinson 3-7, Cope 3-34) by six wickets
Click here for the full report

OCs won their first-round match in the Cricket World Trophy with a six-wicket win at King’s Canterbury, bowling the home side out for 120 and then knocking off the runs with almost 16 overs in hand. Henry Watkinson led the bowling with 3 for 7 and Alan Cope weighed in with 3 for 34. We lost two early wickets before Johnny Gates (28) and Abeed Janmohamed (58*) got us to 91 for 2 and despite losing two more wickets, the result was long since decided.