The square had allegedly been watered all week but, despite of this, the track at Woodley was reminiscent of the Gobi desert, with dust being just one of the conditions to contend with, and it was no surprise when OG were asked to bat first when losing the toss.
Openers Donnelly and Eyre strode out with purpose, blissfully unaware of the roles they were to play in the match, and with the “be positive” message from their skipper ringing in their ears.
Donnelly fell early to a waft at a wide one from Coffey and trudged off thinking his day was over, and Andy King at 3 stoked two boundaries before chipping a simple catch to mid off.
In the meantime Paul Eyre had decided to remain positive and was punishing to anything overpitched, hitting a maximum off Coffey to get off the mark.
He was joined by the in-form McGrail who wasted no time in showing his intentions with some sublime shots all around the wicket. OG raced to 50 for 2 in no time, all the while having to evade some lifting deliveries from Coffey and Kay.
Kay was replaced by Bradford, and Macca took a liking to this bowler, helping himself to 24 off one particular over with some exquisite shots to take OG to 80.
Paul Eyre was now playing second fiddle and fell for a fine 38, caught off the bowling of Coffey.
Mikey Parker was unlucky to get the only ball of the day that pitched and shot, and was bowled for 0, and when George White mistimed a drive (1), and Steve James was bowled for not many, the OG charge was halted at 100 for 6.
With 29 overs left OG were now in repair mode but when Macca was bowled for a bludgeoned 58 there was concern in the OG ranks that their blistering start would be de-railed.
Andy James and Dan Shaw set about repairing the damage, and although both survived some hairy moments with the wicket continuing to surprise the batsmen, they managed to consolidate and move OG to 120 for 7 with 20 overs remaining. They continued to play cautiously, with Danno playing the supporting role to Andy James who was now growing in confidence after a nervy start.
The total moved to 150 and OG audience was now sitting more comfortably given the nature of the wicket, and the intermittent rainfall, which was to make the track even livelier. Danno’s strategy of leaving the short stuff was working well until he chose to abandon his strategy to one of the many short pitched deliveries served up by Woodley, and fell caught behind as a result.
Andy picked up the pace at this point, now joined by Rob Adderley. A couple of big sixes took Andy to a deserved and well-made 44, before he nicked one behind, OG now 158 for 9.
With Coops and Rob now at the crease, Woodley were confident of taking up to 12 overs off OG, but they didn’t count on Coops driving two fours to take OG to 169. One more attempted big shot from Coops failed to reach the boundary (quote from Coops “would have been over Helme Footwear at our ground”) and OG were all out for 169, conceding 10 overs to Woodley.
Following our picnic tea amidst the rubble, openers Andy King and Rob Adderley looked to achieve an early breakthrough on the lively Woodley track.
Macca took some rising, quick deliveries from both bowlers but, with the pace on the ball, most of Woodley’s shots were racing across the Gobi esque outfield.
After 4 overs Andy took himself off and summoned Eyrey to bowl, therefore making Woodley put the pace on the ball. Eyrey’s first over extracted bounce and turn, and as a result Rob was asked to take a breather too, and part time bowler Donnelly was beckoned from his patrolling of the boundary edge.
A few scratched heads and worried frowns were evident in the outfield together with some expletives from Coops, but the skipper’s faith was to be rewarded in some style.
Donnelly went on to bowl in tandem with Eyrey and from 37 for 0, Woodley were skittled for 93 to give OG the win.
Turn and bounce from both bowlers, catches, stumpings and run outs were all featured in a passage of play which turned the match in OG’s favour and kept their promotion challenge right on track.
Donnelly’s figures were 5 for 29, with Eyrey 3 for 21.
A valuable 20 points secured and good form shown by various players.
All good signs with 8 games to go.