OPCC 1st XI travelled to Dulwich on Saturday to play Alleyn, hoping to turn around their season with 20 points. CB lost the toss and Alleyn opted to bat first, coincidently what we were looking to do as well. The innings followed a rather similar pattern to our previous bowling experiences. We plugged away without overwhelming success but keeping the runs under control, and Alleyn reached 100-3 soon after drinks; 1 for CB and 2 for Saumit at this stage. Alleyn’s skipper then counter attacked with an excellent run-a-ball 80, around which the innings was built. At 200-4, the end of the innings could have been difficult viewing, but the bowlers rallied emphatically, wrapping up the innings for 232. With Uppers and Oscar putting in an excellent shift at the back end with the former claiming two wickets, and Oscar claiming his first club 4-for.

Unfortunately, our batting got off to the worst possible start, as Rich got one that stayed down up front, before Ben and Oscar combined for a really well put together 50 partnership, against some excellent bowling from Alleyn. It was a real shame when Ben was adjudged caught behind after playing some delightful drives, and Ozzie looked set for a match defining knock before he was castled for a very well made 40. Joe, after a slow start looked set to take the game away from Alleyn, but when he picked out short cover just before tea, and David found short extra after some similarly emphatic strokemaking, the innings fell away somewhat, as we were bowled out for 155.

The improvement is there. Keep the belief. The Ws are coming our way.