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.

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.

Batting woes continue for 2nd XI

Mick Gray takes six wickets but yet another batting collapse hands Olicanians victory

Otley arrived at Cross Green in a confident mood, despite a crushing victory at the hands of North Leeds in the previous round of fixtures.

Mark Wilkinson won the toss and chose to field first on a wicket which had remained dry despite constant rain on the previous day.

Ricky Halloran and Liam Mulligan took the new ball but struggled to stem the flow of runs despite Mulligan picking up the wicket of Matt Worrall with a good yorker.

Mick Gray was rushed into the attack at the end of the first ten overs, and after an economical start, he got rid of opener Walker as he looked to accelerate after reaching his half-century.

Paul Wilkinson was introduced from the clubhouse end, and he was quickly amongst the wickets as he picked up his best haul of the season thus far with three wickets, whilst Gray continued to add to his ever growing tally for the season.

Halloran replaced Wilkinson so as to try and run through the lower order of the visitors, but instead Giles Phillips rode his luck and played some good shots to make 31.

Gray, however, wasn't to be denied as he finished with 6 wickets, whilst Tom Maston finished with three stumpings as the team from Ilkley were bowled out for 172.

Wilkinson's side were confident of chasing down the under-par total, and started well as Lewis Bolton raced to 20 from only five overs.

However, in the sixth, he was caught at square leg as he looked to continue the fast scoring rate.

Charlie Davy quickly followed him back to the pavilion, whilst Paul Wilkinson and Halloran were very harshly adjudged LBW as the home side began to crumble.

Captain Wilkinson and Graeme Wolfenden began re-buliding and looked like they could form a large partnership when the skipper was caught at point.

This proved the trigger for a lower order collapse as Wolfenden, Keith Pullan, Declan Adams and Mulligan all lost their wickets.

Final pair Maston and Gray battled for six overs before the latter was bowled by Ben Rhodes to leave the home side all out for 116, with more than 12 overs of their reply remaining.

The defeat leaves the side in the relegation places after five matches and victory over fellow strugglers Beckwithshaw on Saturday is a must. The Birtwhistle Cup also begins at the weekend, with a tie at league-leaders Guiseley awaiting Wilkinson's charges

Olicanians 2nd XI 172 (M.Gray 6-37, P.Wilkinson 3-27)
Otley 2nd XI 116 (G. Wolfenden 36)

The full scorecard can be found here.

Swinging Balls- April Edition

I have again contributed to online magazine Swinging Balls this month.

The articles that I have written this month consist of the second entry of my 'Diary of a Club Cricketer', a look at modern-day cricket commentary and a review of whether the IPL is a good thing for world cricket or not.

Please take a look

Adams and Maston hang on for a point

Otley 2nd XI hold on for a losing draw after a middle-order collapse sees Steeton take five points away from Cross Green.

The visitor's skipper won the toss, and despite the early loss of Mick Wilson to Liam Mulligan, they made a good start.

Declan Adams struggled to control the new ball, and was replaced by Lewis Bolton. The ex-Pool man struck almost instantly as he had Tennant caught behind.

Mick Gray was then introduced into the attack and got rid of the dangerous Robinson, whilst Paul Wilkinson bowled Adam Hardwick with a turning delivery.

Gray picked up a further two wickets to leave last year's champions on 130-6 and in danger of being bowled out for a well under-par score.

A 59-run partnership between Julian Higginson and James Emmott brought the visitors back into the match, and despite Wilkinson and Mulligan both picking up further wickets, Steeton posted a decent score of 235-8

In reply, Bolton and Wolfenden started well as the three seamers were hit to all areas of the ground.

However, after reaching his half-century, Bolton got bogged down against the spin of Zach Pearson and Hardwick and was caught on the leg side.

Neil Mullins and Wolfenden soon followed him back to the pavilion as Paul and Mark Wilkinson began re-building the innings.

At 130-3 the match looked evenly poised, but the wicket of the skipper changed all this, as his side lost a flurry of wickets to leave the score at 140-8 with ten overs remaining.

This brought Adams and Tom Maston together, and they saw out the final overs to seal a point.

Steeton 2nd XI 235-8 (M.Gray 3-35)
Otley 2nd XI 169-8 (L.Bolton 53, G.Wolfenden 34)

The full scorecard can be found here

Just what the doctor ordered

Otley came away with two points from a well fought game at Cross Green against Kirkstall Educational.

On a wicket that was being described before the match as 'a road', Liam Mulligan and Jamie Wilkinson took the new ball, and Wilkinson quickly induced an edge from Mickey Missett, with Tom Maston taking the catch.

At the other end, however, Mulligan struggled and was replaced by Gregor Sutherland, who found the going just as tough.

He would have been right to feel aggrieved when his third over was hit for 25 after Tony Lazarus spilled two opportunities to remove the vistors' key batsman.

Mick Gray and Declan Adams were soon into the attack and began to slow the scoring rate.

Gray picked up a wicket as the batsmen tried to keep up with the early rate, and after reaching his hundred, Kirkstall's opener was run out after Adams executed a direct hit off his own bowling.

The rest of vistors' batting line-up offered little as Wilkinson returned to pick up a further three wickets whilst Gray completed his own 4-for.

234 looked very gettable considering the start the visitors had made, and Lazarus and Keith Pullan began the chase well.

Pullan was eventually the first wicket to fall as he played on from the bowling of Holly Richardson for 21, but Lazarus and Charlie Davy quickly got into their stride, taking one over for 26.

A change of bowling saw Lazarus adjudged LBW, whilst Sutherland fell two balls later when he was bowled by an almost unplayable delivery.

Mulligan arrived at the crease, and along with Davy he kept the scoreboard ticking over until the left-hander picked out a fielder with a drive that on another day would have flown to the boundary.

That brought Chris Keddle to the crease, but his innings was ended by an unbelievable catch in the covers.

Mulligan and Wilkinson fell soon after and it looked as if James Tebby and captain Gray would have to see the rest of the innings out for a draw.

However, aided by 57 extras in the innings and some aggressive stroke play, the two right-handers started to ignite dreams of a famous victory.

Richardson returned from the cemetery end with three overs left and bowled Gray meaning that Tebby and Maston were left to see out the final couple of overs to pick up two points.

Tebby finished unbeaten on 44 as the home side ended on 224 for 8.

Mark Wilkinson returns next week to captain the side as they take on last year's champions Steeton at Cross Green.

Kirkstall Educational 2nd XI 239 (M.Gray 4-46, J.Wilkinson 4-61)
Otley 2nd XI 224-8 (J.Tebby 44*)

The full scorecard can be found here.

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.

Swinging Balls

Swinging Balls is available on the 1st
of every month

I have begun writing for new online magazine Swinging Balls. This is a monthly magazine which covers a huge range of sports, and is available on the 1st of every month.

For the April edition I have written a preview to the 2011 County Championship season, whilst also publishing the first entry of my 'Diary of a Club Cricketer', in which I will write monthly entries surrounding my time at Otley Cricket Club.

Feel free to read both, and if you are interested in writing for the magazine, contact Rohan Kallicharan.