Cup defence ends at the first hurdle

Old Alluredians 139 (Chetwode 5-15) beat Old Cranleighans 132 by seven runs

After all the entertainment we have gained from cup competitions since we joined the Brewers Cup in 2001, this took us back to the beginning. The club has progressed significantly since we were knocked out in the 1st round by Old Hurstjohnians in 2001. We have raised the Brewers Cup three times in four years and the Cricket World Trophy last year. However the availability for this round was dire… University exams, holidays (yes, during the cricket season) and a general lack of interest in travelling down to Kings Taunton turned the usual selection dilemmas into a scramble for 11 players.

We did, however, turn up with a full compliment on a warm day down in Taunton. We won the toss and elected to field, given that the green pitch was still drying. Our opening attack was a blend of youth and experience with Henry Watkinson and Max Barson (on debut). Both bowled with good control to contain the OA’s openers. Watkinson struck early on as he bowled an excellent tight line and some sharp fielding contained the OAs to 40 for off 14 overs. Our first change, Jumbo Jupp, was expensive in a short spell before Rob Jones gave us more control, with Alex Craven bowling his usual miserly line and length from the other end. Mike Chetwode came on to replace Jones and immediately gave us back complete control of the game as he took 5 for 15 either side of lunch. Some excellent groundfielding helped us keep the pressure on at both ends and OAs had no answer to Chetwode. Jones replaced Craven to take the last three wickets as OAs left us 140 to win.

With a very achievable target the plan was simple - bat sensibly for as many overs as it took. After some excellent early drives from Jones, we quickly found ourselves in trouble at 35 for 3 with Jones, Barson and Johnny Gates all back in the pavilion. Eds Copleston and Will Howard steadied the ship before we lost Howard LBW trying to work a straight ball to the leg side(all too familiar) to leave us 60 for 4. Jock Vickers and Copleston took us to 85 for 4 before Copleston was controversially given out caught off his pad. At 85 for 5 we were reeling and shortly afterwards Vickers fell LBW to leave youngsters Damien Hill and Jupp with a difficult task - 95 for 6 at tea. The run rate was never an issue and we knew if just batted for another 10 overs the game was ours. Jupp batted with maturity and mental strength to get us to within 7 runs of victory as at the other end wickets continued to tumble - Hill ran himself out, Wakinson was bowled and Craven fell LBW. Shortly afterwards the umpires had the last word as Jupp was stumped off what debatably could have been a no-ball.

We didn’t deserve to win this game the way we batted, Taunton played with spirit and deserved their exciting win. The majority conclusion after the game was this is a thoroughly worthwhile tournament to be in and can provide some good cricket for all OCCC club members going forward. This also represents an opportunity to blood players and test them under pressure in cup cricket. We must move on and learn alot from this experience as attention now moves to the first round of the cricketer cup this weekend - a home tie against Lancing…

Packed fixture list for 2008

The fixtures for 2008 have been announced and we kick off earlier than ever with a game on April 13 and another two by the end of the month. We finish in early September with a game as yet to be fixed … but Rosenburg is on the case.

Our Cricketer Cup campaign starts with a home match against Lancing Rovers at home on June 15 – this will also be OC Day – and if we win then we will have to cede home advantage against either Winchester or Clifton because it clashes with Speech Day. Our defence of the Cricket World Trophy title starts with an away trip to Taunton on June 1 and if we win we are at home on June 22.

The cricket week starts on Sunday July 6 and we have games on eight days with two away matches – at Old Georgians and Old Tonbridgians.

McGregor leads us to Cricket World Trophy victory

Five cup finals in six seasons is impressive, and our excellent record extended to four victories with a convincing nine-wicket win over Old Grovians, the holders, on Jubilee. To three Brewers Cup victories we can now add one in the Cricket World Trophy. Chasing 193 to win, Ed McGregor smashed an unbeaten 114, adding 160 for the second wicket with Matt Crump as we romped home with 13 overs to spare.

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Washout and dropout

The second round tie in the Cricketer Cup against Old Cholmelians at Highgate was washed out without a ball being bowled. We arrived and it was evident that the rain had made the surface almost unplayable, and given the forecast, the decision was easy. The tie has been rearranged for next weekend (July 1) and should take place at Cranleigh. The Cricket World Trophy tie at home to Old Georgians would also have been rained off … but we go through to the semi-finals as they pulled out on Friday.

Rosenfeldt leads youthful CWT side

For the first time in the club’s history, we will be playing two cup matches on the same day. While the senior side travel to Old Cholmelians in the Cricket Cup second round on Sunday, June 24, Tristan Rosenfeldt leads an A team against Old Georgians in the second round of the Cricket World Trophy.

The side for that game, which starts at 11.00am on Jubilee, is as follows:
Tristan Rosenfeldt (capt), Graeme Brown, Tom Crump, Jonny Gates, Damien Hill, Jumbo Jupp, Sam Langmead, Rob Merry, Mike Roper, Phil Roper, Seren Waters.

The great thing is that the XI is young, with Brown the veteran at 29 and Rosenfeldt the second oldest (and by far the baldest) at 24. “As you can see this is a very youthful looking side and also one packed with quality,” said Rosenburg. “Many of us have played together but it will also be good to play with some of you guys for the first time, and I think this so called ‘Development Side’ really emphasises the strength in depth of talent the club has. I am very much looking forward to captaining this side.

“I am sure you all know, the Cricketer Cup side is playing on the same day hence the selection of this side. This game gives the opportunity for us all to play competitive cup cricket for the OC’s but also gives a platform to many of you to prove your worth and to start knocking on the door of Cricketer Cup selection, let’s give Henry and the selection committee some real headaches for future cup team selection.”

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.

Johnson recalled for cup tie

The following will represent the club at King’s Canterbury Old Boys in the first round of the Cricket World Trophy on Sunday, June 3. The main surprise is the recall of Rick Johnson for what will be his second cup game in ten years. "Rick wants a chance to prove himself for the Cricketer Cup and I think he deserves it,” Eds Copleston said. “He has been in the runs and got himself fit for the new season." Fit is a relative term.

Eds Copleston (capt), Graeme Brown, Alan Cope, Alex Craven, Matt Crump, Tom Crump, Johnny Gates, Abeed Janmohamed (wk), Rick Johnson, Rob Jones, Henry Watkinson.

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Fixtures released for packed 2007 season

The fixtures for the 2007 season have been unveiled and it is one of our busiest summers on record. Even if we fail to progress beyond the first round of the two cup competitions, we face no fewer than 22 matches.

The highlight will be our Cricketer Cup debut against Harrow Wanderers on Jubilee on June 10. We are the first new side to admitted to the cup since it started in 1967 and that honour reflects not only on the club but on the high regard with which Cranleigh School cricket is now regarded. We have also re-entered the Cricket World Trophy. We first took part in 1990, in which year we reached the semi-finals, our best finish to date. With the demise of the Brewers Cup, several of our old foes have entered as well. How we long to renew our acquaintance with David Derbyshire’s lads from Denstone.

The cricket week, which runs from July 8 to 15, will be marked by some special events as it is the 50th since Nigel Paul grabbed the club by the scruff of the neck and relaunched it in 1958.

We welcome some new opposition. King’s Canterbury feature in our week for the first time, and coincidently we meet them in the first round of the Cricket World Trophy two months earlier. The other new fixture comes in September when we meet Elstead, who created a rather unwelcome record in 2006 when they lost their npower Village Knockout match against Blewbury and Upton by 376 runs after being bowled out for 21.

Copleston under pressure for his place

We have been drawn away against Old Roffensians, the old boys of King¹s Rochester in Kent, on 1st June in our re-entry into the Cricket World Trophy, a competition we left in 1994.

We are an unknown quantity in this tournament, but organiser, Michael Blumberg, held nothing back when discussing the excitement of our decision to enter. "You are the Brewers Cup holders, and I've heard you won it at a canter. I would be a brave man if I said you weren't up there with the favorites for this years Cricket World Trophy."

Eds Copleston said "We'll be taking the Brewers Cup on our campaign with us. The prospect of playing Old Georgians in the quarter-finals if we get past the Old Roffensians is tantalising. As newcomers its all an unknown quantity to us and there will be some strong sides."

Looking ahead to the coming season, Copleston admitted that he was quietly confident. "I won't turn round and say- we've done it. The Brewers Cup has come home. Last year was an amazing year all round. However following that up with another good run in the Brewers would be magnificent. "Our first round tie will be very tough cricket against a pedigree side who have a history in the Brewer's Cup []. The CWT simply doubles the excitement and if I had to be drawn on my dream for the season ahead it would have to be the double. But that's a long way away."

When questioned as to whether the entering in the CWT was simply a way of getting Rick Johnson in the side Copleston laughed. "I understand the press have to run that kind of thought through their mind, but that's just out the question - I've always picked my tournament sides on nothing except merit and form."

An OC insider revealed that after a dismal tour of Australia the pressure is on Copleston to score runs to retain his place in the side. "He can't dwell on past glories," the insider said. "He struggled last season with the bat and was dire Down Under. There are other players putting him under pressure and he needs runs, and runs against decent sides. He's our version of Graeme Hick. He'll score plenty against weak opposition, but when the going gets tough it's a different story."

If Eds were to lose his place then Henry Watkinson or Abeed Janmohamed would be favourites to take over the captaincy.