5 from 5

This week’s fixture was against new opposition from Leicestershire Chainwood Casuals.

Following a week of fairly inclement weather the village ground staff, under the supervision of Andy ‘Top Soil’ Sturrock still managed to produce a very decent wicket that led to an excellent tight game.
Normality was resumed following last week’s tumultuous events when the skipper declared that we would be having a bowl.

As per the norm with Offchurch the starting line-up had at least 2 too many players, but also as per the norm not all could stay to the end and hence a semi rotational fielding arrangement was put in place – it’s like the rules of cricket mean nothing to us!

The visitors got off to a good start with their ‘flashing blade’ opener looking like he might take the game away from us within 10 overs; however although he went on to make 70 the OCC bowlers managed to keep their line and length (although mostly not both with the same ball (but at this level 1 out of 2 is usually good enough!)) and managed to restrict the Casuals to 170/7.

The pick of the bowlers were the Skipper with 3/20 and Bert taking 2/22, but Kenny, Top Soil Jnr Jnr and the Chairman also did well – Although the highlight in the field was the VC managing to undertake a stumping off his own bowling.

To continue the Leicestershire theme OC Tom provided the tea, which this week contained as part of the sandwich range coronation chicken. For those unfamiliar was this fair it tends to be yellow in colour, looking a bit like vomit studded with sultanas and okayish in taste; the jury remains out on whether this is acceptable for cricket teas – but overall all was well as the beloved pink and yellow god also made an appearance: score 6.5/10

This weeks game also featured the returning Mr Johnson, who looked like he wintered well! He open the batting and started pretty well until he seemed to forget that the idea is to leave the wide ones and hit the straight ones! Overall the OCC response ticked along very nicely, all of which was built around the ever dependable batting of the Chairman who carried his bat for an excellent 74; again one of the village makes 50+. Towards the end things started to get a bit like a nun’s chuff (tight!) but with newbie Ryan quickly becoming our ‘finisher’ we got over the line with a few overs to spare.

Well played all 5 from 5 – Are we the new invincible’s?