The Wednesday of our Southern Tour saw us return to Worth School for a Roses match against the Old Rossalians, a force to be reckoned with, and a team the OA’s have struggled against over past years. At the toss, the call was heads, and we were put in to field.... shock a third lost toss in 3 games... we need to improve in this area. Opening up was Michael Blakiston Houston with a wonderful spell dangling it outside off stump and at the far end was Tom Wade with a quicker more aggressive line backing MBH up with another marvellous spell. MBH managed to get the first two wickets and Wade, with a vicious body line short ball, scalped the other. The overs ticked along, Bevan Fawcett, John Clapham and Hugh Ainscough all bowled very well and picked up the remaining wickets. Bevan with four (and a dropped caught and bowled), Hugh with a vital wicket of their key batsman who was motoring along and John with the final wicket. The Old Rossalians were restricted to 158.
Although the target appeared small, there was huge potential for the OA’s to collapse and screw up the run chase... where there’s a will, there’s a way. Ludo MacLellan and MBH opened up and Ludo didn’t last long... well in fact he lasted all of 2 deliveries, the first being a wide. In comes Fawcett. The pair built a fruitful partnership which was going very well until Mike flashed at a wide one and that sent him back to the hutch with a regulation grab by the keeper. Rain stopped play and with the OA’s 100-2 we were desperate to get back out there to secure the victory. Skipper Joe Ainscough managed to hold his nerve and let the rain pass so we could get back into the run chase. Basil Fitzherbert and Fawcett then took to the crease once and managed to knock off the remaining runs with a stellar innings from Bevan scoring 92*. It was a cracking day in the office for the OA’s securing our first win of the tour. Basil Fitzherbert Old Rossalians CC 158 all out OACC 159 for 3 (B. Fawcett 92 not out) OACC won by 7 wickets.
Old Rossalians CC 158 all out
OACC 159 for 3 (B. Fawcett 92 not out)
OACC won by 7 wickets