Macca’s confidence is so high nowadays that before he goes out to bat he sets a theme tune and predicts his total !
So it was against High Lane at the weekend when OG 1st XI comprehensively beat their opponents led by Macca’s great knock (69) inspired by the gravelly tones of Bryan Adams’ hit – Summer of 69.
High Lane surprisingly opted to bat first and struggled against the pace of Andy King and Rob Adderley.
Early wickets fell with both Andy and Rob making breakthroughs, combined with a run out, and High Lane were in trouble early on.
At 60 for 6 off 20 overs, High Lane were in trouble but managed to consolidate to ensure they batted their 45 overs. Their final total being 126 for 9 after Lenny (1 for 9), Eyrey (1 for 21), Dec (1 for 20), Rob (2 for 25), and Andy (3 for 36) all combined to claim 4 bowling points.
The final ball of their innings produced a skied chance which Andy James made a valiant effort to claim (and pick up a further 2 bowling points) but frustratingly for OG the chance went begging.
In reply, Dave Donnelly fell early for 5, walking across his wickets and being bowled round his legs. Paul Eyre suffered the same fate later on in OG’s innings after scoring 20, and batting at 3 Jamie Cannon looked good until he dollied an easy chance to square leg for 15.
Batting at 4, Macca went on his usual attacking style and eased any nerves which may have been creeping into the OG dressing room. He took apart the High Lane attack for a quick fire 69 before being bowled and trudging off bemoaning his luck.
It was left to George White (10 no) and Andy James (20no) to wrap up the victory for OG and claim a further 19 points.
Now in third place in the league with 6 games to go, OG are timing their promotion push nicely, even after having their chances of promotion written off by DCCL stalwart Alistair Stevens !