After an indifferent campaign in 2021, the 2022 season for OGCC 2s promises a lot with a squad made up of talented youngsters and bags of experienced players too so the opening day visit of Broadbottom was eagerly awaited and ultimately ended with a comfortable 20 points victory to the home side.
With Daz Acomb sidelined through injury for the foreseeable future, Robbie Barrow took the reins at a very breezy OG and led out an 11 which could compete for silverware this year...time will tell.
An immaculately observed minute's silence for DCCL league stalwart Alan Johnson was followed by Broadbottom batting first on a hard track but absolute swirling wind.
James Wright wisely chose the Pyegrove End which left young Tom Lane to run into the wind but this didn't faze him as he proceeded to bowl a superb opening day spell, removing the visitor's top 4 with a mixture of pace and movement off the track.
An opening day hat trick was on the cards at one point, but wasn't meant to be, but the initial 6 over spell effectively decimated the Broady innings and set OG up for the 20 points.
James Wright, with the wind behind him, was transformed into a medium pace bowler, and his guile and control was crucial too, as he removed the dangerous James Brotherton and recorded figures of 2 for 24 off his 10 overs.
Ste Allcock replaced Tom and, equally, bowled with control in a 10 over spell, picking up 3 for 17.
Stokey had a quick 5 over blast and produced some good deliveries mixed with a few loose ones which the experienced Broady skipper, Nick Courtney, pulled to the boundary in his 32 not out.
Stokey blew off some winter cobwebs though and will pick up wickets this season.
The ground fielding was good all round and George White chipped in with an impressive run out whilst Andy Dwyer was solid behind the stumps.
After the enforced break, Tom returned at the Pyegrove End to wrap up his spell of 7 overs, 4 for 11.
Broady 76 all out.
In reply, Ethan Lumb opened with George White, looking to knock off the required 77 runs for victory.
Both looked solid and comfortable at the crease with cover drives for four setting us off on our run chase.
Ethan was looking particularly fluid with a flurry of boundaries and with George supporting well it was then a little surprising to see him mis time one to be caught at mid off for 13.
Andy King joined Ethan and the pair took OG comfortably to the victory with AK 12 not out and rotating the strike effectively at the end to allow Ethan to secure the 20 points with another boundary which also took him to 51 not out and his maiden 2nd team 50.
Well done Ethan.
A comprehensive victory for OG against a Broady side with a few experienced players and also a number of juniors finding their way in the team.
The game was played in a good spirit and credit to the umpires too for their part and for contending with the crazy windy conditions.
MOM is a tough call and at 2pm it looked like Tom Lane had it nailed on with his opening spell and 4 wickets but, for his maiden 50 and for guiding us to victory it rightly goes to Ethan Lumb.
No doubt the pair will pick up a number of MOM awards each this season.
Hayfield away in the cup next weekend.
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