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.

Diary of a Club Cricketer- May & June

Taken from Swinging Balls Magazine, published 10/07/2011

May 2011

May was a month of differing fortunes at the OCC, with the First Team staking their claims for title challenge, whilst the Second Team sit at the foot of their division.

Beginning with Matthew O’Grady’s first eleven, who are on a run of three consecutive victories in the league, and sit in second place, nine points behind leaders Thackley.

Overseas player Nicholas Benton has decided to stop attacking his own players and instead take on the bowling of the opposition, with devastating effects.

Quickfire half-centuries against Bilton and Beckwithshaw set up much needed victories, and he seems to be finding his feet in English conditions. A five-wicket haul in the win at Collingham underlined his all-round credentials, and everyone at the club is hoping he continues his progression over the coming weeks.

Other notable performances include the form of Jono Hughes, who has scored back-to-back fifties at the top of the order, whilst Stewart Smith scored his first half-century in the winning draw at Follifoot. Yorkshire Academy player George Ross also scored runs in that match, although he has only figured in that match thus far due to his commitments with the White Rose county. Andrew Rhodes has continued to impress with the ball, and figures of 6-45 against Beckwithshaw were his best of the season so far.

In stark comparison, Mark Wilkinson’s second team are on a horrendous run which has seen them not pick up a positive result since the first match of the season at Harden. Mick Gray has continued to take wickets and has 20 from the opening six matches, but he has found little support from either his fellow bowlers or the batsmen. The batsmen especially have failed to impose themselves this season, and the mere fact yours truly is topping the averages when batting at ten is proof of this.

Away from the league, both the Saturday teams safely negotiated themselves through the first round of their respective cup competitions against great rivals Guiseley. The second team were especially impressive in knocking out the current leaders in the first round for the first time in thirty years.

Chris Keddle’s third team are having a good season thus far, with the mix of youngsters and experienced heads proving to be the recipe for success. 14-year old Joe Braham has become the most recent of the club’s talented youngsters to record his maiden senior fifty, and the team currently sit at the top of their conference.

Finally, the club’s Twenty20 campaign kicked off at Ilkley when a side that brought together players from the top two teams as well as guests Josh Atkinson and James Davies (both former players) came out on top from the last ball of the match. The fact that the ball was a wide made the victory ever so slightly easier, if slightly less satisfying.

June 2011

June was again a month of ups and downs as Otley’s senior teams began to evaluate what the second half of the season’s aims were to be.

The First Eleven continue to push for their first league title since the 1980’s, with Matthew O’Grady’s side sitting in third place, eleven points behind leaders Thackley, who they face in their next match.

Victories over Green Lane and bitter rivals Guiseley were sandwiched between defeats to champions Burley and bottom side Rawdon, whilst a losing draw was obtained from a home match against Adel.

Australian Nicholas Benton continues to impress, and an unbeaten century against Guiseley was his undoubted highlight from his first few months in Otley. Another new signing Stewart Dobson has also begun to make his mark, as he took seven wickets in the ten-wicket demolition of Green Lane.

The Seconds on the other hand, are still struggling at the foot of the table, although performances are beginning to improve. Paul Wilkinson and recent signing Micky Missett have been amongst the runs this month, having both recorded centuries against Adel and Guiseley respectively. Wilkinson also picked up five wickets in the match against Adel, a game which saw the side take maximum points for only the second time this season.

Despite veteran Mick Gray now having passed 30 wickets for the season, the bowlers continue to struggle, and two points were obtained from the matches against Burley and Green Lane despite both times the opposition recording scores of almost 300 from their 50 overs.

In the cup competitions, both teams were knocked out in the second round after both fell fowl of Steeton. Poor batting performances attributed to both defeats, and it was extremely disappointing for the second team as the final of their competition is due to be played at Otley in August.

Chris Keddle’s third team were only able to play one match this month, although this did bring a victory as 13-year old Tom Brady made an unbeaten 47 to see off Knaresborough.

Wilkinson half-century sees off Harden

Mark Wilkinson’s side began the 2011 season in the best possible way after picking up a four-wicket victory at newly promoted Harden.

The skipper won the toss and chose to bowl on a green wicket that seemed to have missed out on the two weeks of solid sunshine that had been enjoyed in the rest of the country.

Liam Mulligan and Jamie Wilkinson were entrusted with the new ball, and it was Wilkinson who picked up the first scalp after Harden’s opener Allison chipped a full ball to debutant Lewis Bolton, who held onto a good catch.

Despite losing an early wicket, the home side’s young batsmen were looking to play some big shots and push singles.

However, this proved to be their downfall, as a superb ‘dummy’ from Charlie Davy confused the batsmen and left Paul Wilkinson with the relatively simple task of running out opener Wear for 33.

Harden lost their third wicket as Jamie Wilkinson swung one away from the new batsman and clipped the top of his off-stump.

Wickets continued to tumble as this time Davy ran out new batsman Trees for 9 to further show why he won the 2nd XI fielding prize in 2010, whilst Wilkinson picked up his third wicket as Bolton took his second catch of the match.

The final five wickets all fell to Mick Gray as Harden were bowled out for 170, which seemed a competitive if not a daunting total.

Otley’s reply began well with George Huntley and Graeme Wolfenden starting with boundaries, but Huntley soon fell after inexplicably shouldering arms to a straight ball when on ten.

Wolfenden and Paul Wilkinson soon followed him back to the pavilion after both were adjudged LBW, leaving the visitors on 34-3.

Captain Wilkinson and Bolton added 42 for the fourth wicket before the debutant was caught in the deep for 36.

Otley were soon five wickets down after Davy was run out after being left high and dry by his captain after a mix-up which saw both batsmen finish at the same end of the wicket.

Number 7 Mulligan dug in and supported Wilkinson before being bowled for 8 by a good Yorker which brought Jamie Wilkinson to the crease to join his captain.

The two shared in an unbroken stand of 62 to see Otley home with more than seven overs remaining.

Otley return to Cross Green next week to take on Kirkstall Educational.

Harden 2nd XI 170 (M .Gray 5-34, J. Wilkinson 3-75)
Otley 2nd XI 172-6 (M. Wilkinson 55*, L. Bolton 36, J. Wilkinson 31*)


The full scorecard can be found here.