Diary of a Club Cricketer- August

Taken from Swinging Balls magazine, published on 8/9/2011

August was another key month for the teams at Otley Cricket Club – whilst the First XI’s title challenge fell away, the Second XI made strides to ensure they avoided relegation. The Thirds had a fantastic month, with records being broken by some of their younger players.

Matthew O’Grady’s first eleven went into August with a very realistic chance of winning a first league title since the 1980s, but despite victory over relegation threatened Adel, defeats against Collingham and local rivals Burley have left the team in third place, and needing others to drop points if they are to be in with a chance of lifting the league winner’s trophy.

The team’s most dramatic match of the month came at Beckwithshaw as Anthony Giles, who has returned to the club for the second half of the season, hit a four off the final ball of the match to secure a tie and a share of the points.

The second team have also had a mixed month, with two victories over Olicanians and Beckwithshaw being cancelled out by defeats to Burley and league leaders Adel. In the win against Beckwithshaw, 13-year old Tom Brady passed 300 runs for the season in Second Team cricket, and therefore qualified for the league averages. This is a huge achievement for someone who is playing their first year of senior cricket, and all at the club are very excited about what the future may hold for the teenager.

Speaking of teenagers, Joe Braham (14) and Dom Kellett (17) broke a Third XI league record in their match against Bilton after recording an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 241. Braham made his second century of the season after making 106, whilst Kellett recorded his maiden hundred as he smashed 120 from 90 balls.

The Third XI seem to have been spurred on by the exploits of the two teenagers, and are on the verge of qualifying for the end of season play-offs. Captain Chris Keddle has had some difficult seasons of late, and a shot at winning the league would be just reward for a number of seasons of hard work.

With two matches remaining in September, all three sides will be hoping to finish the season on a high.

Braham & Kellett enter record books

Taken from the official website of Otley Cricket Club, published 07/08/2011

14 year-old Joe Braham & 17 year-old Dom Kellett both hit unbeaten centuries in an incredible victory for the 3rd XI.

Cross Green was the venue for a remarkable match in which three junior cricketers hit hundreds and over 520 runs were scored in less than 80 overs.

Opponents Bilton batted first and took advantage of some sloppy fielding to register a mammoth score of 261-3 from their 40 overs. 17 year-old Michael Donnelly was the mainstay of their innings as he smashed 159 not out; an innings which included 26 boundaries and one maximum.

A target that large would usually be too daunting for a young team, but despite skipper Chris Keddle departing for 14, Braham and Kellett began to pick apart the visitor's young bowling attack.

As a large crowd began to gather on the famous OCC pavilion, the youngsters began to showcase an array of shots as they never lost touch with the required rate.

Both recorded their centuries in the closing overs before Braham finished the match with a six over the leg-side to spark mass celebrations.

Opener Braham finished on 106, with 15 fours and a six, whilst Kellett made 120 from around 90 balls, as he recorded 20 fours and two massive hits into the rugby ground.

The pair's unbeaten stand of 241 is a new Aire-Wharfe record for the 2nd wicket partnership in a 3rd XI match

Diary of a Club Cricketer- July

Taken from Swinging Balls Magazine, published 31/07/2011

July could prove to have been a defining month in the season for the teams of Otley Cricket Club. Matthew O’Grady’s First Eleven now sit second in the league and have a real chance of claiming the title, whilst the Second Team have made great strides in their fight to avoid relegation for the first time.

O’Grady’s side picked up three victories in the month of July, including wins at title rivals Thackley and Bilton. New signing Micky Missett has scored some crucial runs at the top of the order, whilst Nicholas Benton has continued his fantastic form.

It hasn’t just been the batsmen who have contributed though, as Andy Rhodes now has nearly 40 wickets to his name in 2011, whilst off-spinner John Brough has been picking up wickets for fun, and at a very economical rate. The return of Anthony Giles after a two year hiatus has also boosted the bowling attack, and an end of season celebration could well be on the cards.

Wilkinson’s Second XI side have also picked up three positive results over the past four weeks, all of which were against their relegation rivals. 13-year old Tom Brady has shown talent beyond his years in scoring nearly 200 runs in July, and he has been ably supported by captain Wilkinson and his brother Paul who both recorded fifties. Liam Mulligan has also began to show his worth, picking up 13 wickets from the four matches played, and he now has an average which is better than that of perennial bowling hero Mick Gray.

Chris Keddle’s third eleven had a mixed month, as a win over Ilkley was sandwiched between two defeats. It was a month to remember, however, for 14-year old Joe Braham, who struck his maiden century against Olicanians.

For myself, July was a frustrating month, as after missing two matches through a holiday to Rhodes, I was then only able to play one match for the third team, although it did give me a chance to bat for the first time in two months. (Editor ~ and how did one bat?)

Hopefully August will see me take to the field more often.