Old Cranleighans 387-4 (Rolling 203*, E Copleston 53*, Jordan 53) drew with Buccs 312-8 (R Rydon 102*, Cross 3 for 31,)
For the first time since (what has felt like) the dawn of time, the weather held out and battle was able to commence between the Old Cranleighans and the Buccaneers on 12th July. Rumours were rife on arrival at the ground of excessive run scoring exploits throughout Cranleigh’s cricket week – these rumours were confirmed on closer inspection of the wicket which could only be described as a road. The match the previous day had yielded an aggregate of 700 runs and not many wickets – it was enough to make the most seasoned bowlers weep into their jockstraps.
The toss was lost and the affable OCs skipper predictably elected to bat. The OCs opening batsmen, Rollings and Cross had clearly had their Weetabix that morning as they piled on the runs at 10 an over. Rydon bowled without much luck until he dismissed Cross (32) caught and bowled. This didn’t stem the flow of runs however with Jordan (53) further accelerating until young Buccs leggie Ballantyne lured him down the wicket and took his edge well caught by keeper Chakravarti. Hamish Robertson bowled without luck for the Buccs before the skipper Steele turned to the wily flight and guile of Woolfries. The flow of runs was finally stemmed before the pressure told on Hill who was bowled for 21 by a Woolfries Doosra. The greatest achievement however was the maiden that he managed to bowl amongst the run-mageddon.
Lunch was taken at 1pm with the Buccs on the wrong end of 220 odd for 3 and opener Rollings already past his century. Comfort was sought in and taken from the Chicken Korma, Naan bread and poppadoms provided. The Buccs regrouped and in the first over post-cuzza Dave West, feeling fresh from some exotic exploits the night before, took the wicket of Coplesdon S (1) via a fine sharp catch from Neil Robertson. The joy was short lived however as the OCs accelerated again and the score approached 300 with the huge crowd sensing a sporting declaration. Cranleigh however batted on with Rollings eventually completing his double ton, a new OC record score (203*) via a series of reverse pulls/ sweeps and general left handed batting. This prompted the Craneligh skipper to finally declare on 387-4: a tough score to chase down in less than 50 overs.
Buccs openers Milne and Chakravati started breezily until Chakravati was out for 22 and Jeremy Milne returning to the hutch before tea for a composed 42. New bastmen Steele and Hobson managed to make it to tea without overindulging on the buffet bowling being served up by the OCs. After a civilised tea Steele (40) then pushed the run rate on but fell caught in the deep after getting too greedy at the OCs trough. Hobson then fell soon after for 25. Neil Roberston, ably supported by son Olly, then stabilised the middle order before Olly fell for 18.
This brought Rydon to crease (obviously smarting from his bowling figures (10-0-78-1)) and began taking the game to the opposition assisted by N Roberstson (30) and West (10). Ballantyne fell for a duck and it left Hamish Robertson, displaying a very straight bat, to guide Rydon to a superb swashbuckling 101* off 86 balls and secure a very creditable draw for the Buccs who finished on 312-8.
Overall an excellent game of cricket played in good spirits.
OC Innings 387-4 dec
Rollings not out 203*
Cross O ct and bowled Rydon 32
Jordan Ct Sujay Chakravarti B Ballantyne 53
Hill D Bowled Woolfries 21
Coplesdon S Ct Robertson B West 1
E Coplesdon not out 5*
Bowling
Rydon 10-0-78-1
Hobson 6-0-74-0
Roberston H 5-0-53-0
Woolfries 14-1-68-1
Ballentyne 3-0-38-1
West 9-0-66-1
Buccs Innings – 312-8
J Milne ct Coplesdon E b Scriven 42
Sujay Chakravati st Davies b Coplesdon C 22
Steele Ct Harrison B Cross 40
Hobson ct Jordan b Cross 25
O Robertson B Cross 18
N Roberston ct Chalmers b Langmead 30
Rydon not out 102
West ct Langmead B Scriven 10
Ballantyne b Scriven 0
H Robertson not out 6
Bowling
Hill 7-0-33-0
Scriven 7-0-44-0
Coplesdon E 16-2-107-3
Cross 5-0-40-1
Jordan 8-0-31-3
S Coplesdon 5-0-28-0