Optimists Cricket Club

On Saturday the Optimists were to host the London Saints. This is a cricket club that was started in 1983 by current Optimists member, James Whitworth for all Southampton Football supporters based in London. We can now confirm that there are 14 Southampton supporters in London!
On an over-clouded day, a time match was agreed and having the won the toss the Optimists elected to bat first.
Robert Deed and Seb Finch opened and both looked in fine form. Deed especially, playing some beautiful cut shots and was driving the ball powerfully. Having reached 44, Deed looked certain to go onto a fifty but was bowled by a yorker. Finch quickly followed for 31, but the openers has done thier job and put on a brilliant opening stand of 71.
Jeroen Van de Knoop had a brief visit to the middle but was caught at point following a leading edge. This brought Tim Andrews and Richard Neale to the crease. Tim claiming a dodgy groin, was lucky to have Van de Knoop running for hiim. Andrews batted aggressively and quickly dominated the bowling attack. Neale was also batting well and was pulling and driving the ball with ease before a slight niggle to the elbow forced him to retire. Andrews continued the onslaught and brought up his 50 in quick time. With the declaration looming, all new incoming batsman were given instructions to swing the bat which unfortunately led to quick wickets with Phil Burleigh and Mohammed Sadiq going quickly but unselfishly. Andrews was bowled just as Raju arrived with the curry (funny that!) which allowed Samir Kalra and Mike West to give one final push before the OPtimists declared on 224 off 35 overs.

After a great tea of curry, the Optimists took to the field and fortunately were able to rely on the youth of the team to open the bowling! Charlie Ramsden bowled with good pace and movement. Alex Martin also bowled well with a nagging length that was soon rewarded with a wicket as he dismissed one of the openers caught and bowled. Mike West then took a brilliant slip catch to add to Martins wickets tally as the number three snicked a great ball. When the opening attack were taken off, the score was 28-2 which was a brilliant start from the young opening attack.
Left-arm spin was to be the real undoing of London Saints though. Mike West quickly found his length and got the ball to turn, whilst at the other end Mark Smith was bamboozling the batsman with subtle changes of pace and length. Smith bowled the number 4 and then got his second wicket caught by Sajid. West chipped in by bowling one and at 86-5, Optimists had to attack to win the game and claim the remaining 7 wickets (14 batsman!). Sajid and Chris Swithinbank were brought into the attack just as the London Saints decided to try and play for the draw. Swithinbank bowled with a good line though and through patience and consistency picked up 2 wickets. Sajid picked up 2 wickets too and as the overs ticked by, more and more slips were added until finally Alistair Finn bowled a jaffer that was nicked and well caught by Tim Andrews at second slip. London Saints were solid in thier defence though and the last wicket partnership saw them home to what was a great draw and a fantastic day of cricket. The London Saints ended up on 143-12 off 42 overs.

Optimists 224-7 dec. (Andrews 58, Neale 44*, Deed44)
London Saints 143-12 (Sajid 3-17, Swithinbank 2-26, Smith 2-28)

Winning draw - Optimists