Gentlemen of Great Whittington CC vs Ovingham

Corbridge Cricket Ground, Sunday 8th June

Ovingham 170 for 2 (30 overs), Great Whittington 143 for 9. Ovingham won by 27 runs.

On a glorious English summer's day, the Gentlemen of Great Whittington opened their season with a keenly contested match against old friends Ovingham. As the Steam Rally tooted, whistled and smoked just across the boundary on the rugby field, Great Whittington were indebted to man-of-the-match Angus McKie for a sterling performance with both ball and bat.

This was Ovingham's 6th game of the season and the difference in practice levels showed from the off. Electing to bat, Ovingham maintained a steady run-rate throughout their innings whilst the Gentlemen tried to coax long-forgotten technique from their bowling and fielding muscles.

The visitors were only held back briefly, when Great Whittington captain Eddie Robson brought McKie into the bowling attack. McKie's claim to have 'not bowled for years' was somewhat undermined by his taking a wicket with his very first ball and another in his second over.

Notwithstanding this fine act of defiance, Ovingham rattled up 170 runs for the loss of just 2 wickets by the end of their 30 overs.

In response, Great Whittington batted reasonably well but runs were hard to come by and the required run-rate moved inexorably away from the home side. Several players got in only to get out again as they looked like scoring well. Notable performances by Eddie Scott (11) Simon Fitton (12) and Eddie Robson (15) were joined by the shot of the day, a cracking cover drive that flew for 6 fro Chris Pearson on his way to a masterful 13.

But as before, the greatest hope of success came in the form of the diminutive McKie, whose magnificent innings of 53 not-out kept the Gentlemen in with a slim chance throughout their innings. In the end though, the home side ran out of overs. The visitors fielded with determination and efficiency and ultimately victory went to Ovingham.

NEXT MATCH - SUNDAY 22ND JUNE, 4pm vs MATFEN at MATFEN