Plymouth College 1st XI v OPMs

Published: 08 July, 2011

It was meant to be a sweltering day and so it turned out to be! Alex Hill lost the toss again and the OPMs put the school into bat. The bowling was rather friendly and the College got off to a flier. In the 7th over Pasi miss-timed a shot, as the wicket was a little slow and low, although not an irregular bounce and was caught. 52-1. George Stephenson fresh from his two hundreds in a week, 100 not out against Clayesmore and on Friday night in the T20 for Plymouth, joined Henry and they put on 71 in 9 overs, 123-2 when Henry was adjudged LBW. Will Chapman and George put on 31 when, in the first ball after drinks in the 21st over, George charged Ben Spear missed the ball and was stumped. 154-3. It looked as if 300+ was on. Will Dickinson in his last match scored a quick fire 27 and Chapman was then out for 49. 225-4 off 30 overs. Alex Hill who found his form on Tour then set about the bowling and helped by Callum Cload, Pasi and then Ben Jackson accelerated the score. Hill quickly passed his fifty and with an over left he needed 27 for his hundred. He tried very hard to get to three figures but was left 1 run short, 99 not out! College 344-7 in 40 overs.

There was concern because of the frivolity at the end of the innings and it turned out to be well placed as the initial bowling and erratic outfield bounce saw the OPMs off to an even better flier than the College. Jake Luffman punished anything wayward and after 5 overs OPMs had 51. Alex Hill turned to himself and then had Luffman well caught at deep fine leg by Alex Meredith. Enter another Luffman, Steve, called up late to make up the 12. Anything in his slot was thrashed and there was plenty of obliging deliveries, with Joe Marshall they put on 126 before Will Chapman had Marshall caught. James Frappell and Luffman then threatened to win the match but Pasi came on and because of his back bowled medium pace and straight. Luffman having hit the houses surrounding Ford Park on several occasions missed one and was bowled for 120. No ice bath available though! Pasi then went onto almost clean up the remainder of the OPMs single handed taking 6 wickets and at one stage was on a hat trick, whilst Alex Hill chipped in with another wicket. The OPMs finished on 305-9 from their 40 overs. The College won by 39 runs.