The Opening Game of the 2017 Season – OMCC vs Millfield School 1st XI

The opening game of the 2017 season, our 7^th season as a club, saw us field possibly the strongest OMCC XI to date in a 50 over fixture against the School 1^st XI. Upon arrival there was a certain case of mistaken identities amongst the OMCC as the Hon Sec appeared sober, Big D was now small to medium D and Ali Easton had now learned which way to hold to bat after 3 years of asking.

A winter of fruitful recruitment saw three debutants take to the field, Sam Weller ex Kent CCC who has made the educated decision that the OMCC will offer an infinitely better life than county cricket, David Scott who as a 2016 leaver is a few years from realising this fact himself and a HOMO in the shape of Tim Spotswood the Glastonbury CC overseas pro. Glastonbury and overseas pro; there’s an oxymoron for you, but no questions were asked where the money had come from.

Having had one of the driest spring months on record the MCG was bordering erotic and the wicket looked like we were playing in the middle of July not April. Only one outcome for the winner of the toss and with the Hon Sec calling correctly he was quickly in his stride out to the middle with young Scott. Sun beating down, not a cloud in the sky and the track had the batsman salivating, this was a batting surface you wanted to put in your back pocket and carry with you all season. Do not give your wicket away on this puppy, ‘See you at lunch’ was the call from the opening pair. Hon Sec nicked off early, OMCC bugger all for 1.

Young Scott lead from the top of the order with some flowing cover drives and a maiden 50 on debut, as long as the Treasurer can negotiate keeping the first class counties at bay, then the first of many. Ditto Harry Ellison although just short of his 50. This was to be the preview of some of the most extraordinary batting the club has witnessed. A club record 145 partnership between Jack Waller and Ali Easton. Easton’s 104 coming off a mere 59 balls including 7 6s and 12 4s while Waller’s 45 came off 41 balls, pure explosive batting with the ball being bludgeoned to all corners. From a position of weakness at 110-5 the OMCC finished with 296-9 from their 50 overs and had a sizeable total to defend.

Sam Weller bowled quickly with good control and could have easily taken more than 3 wickets from his 10. This is a man who can expect a lot of attention in the watering holes of Somerset, South West London and Mayfair this season. Ross Jenkins chipped in with 3 valuable wickets, the fielders held their catches and the School were bowled out for 163 within 34 overs.A mature performance from the OMCC, no surprise given the growing number of toddlers on the boundary now but if we keep this form up throughout the season there’s going to be a party to rival the Maximes foam party on the last day of the 1999 term.

Molire Molendo

Hon Sec

Sunday 23rd April, 2017.