Optimists Cricket Club

Congratulations to the OCC First XI, who won their opening fixture of the 2014 BCF League season by 3 wickets. Visitors Hasselt were bowled out for 200 inside their 45 overs, thanks mainly to Nishith Gandhi and Tony Whiteman who took 3 wickets each. The OCC innings got off to an unfortunate start when Tim Barker did not see the first ball of the innings which unfortunately was straight and bowled him. New member Stuart May walked into a ready-made crisis, but helped a watchful Tony Whiteman stabiise the innings and played some delightful off drives in a promising first knock.  A strong middle order (Heath, Embleton, William Cope, Taral Desai) produced brief cameos, but not the full movie. Hasselt must have thought that once Whiteman had gone for an excellent 59 and OCC were 7 wickets down, still needing 30 to win, they were in with a good chance. But, with Richard Neale and Joost Mees at 8 and 9, OCC for once had strength in depth and used it. Neale (36 not out) saw them home with some excellent pulling and driving. With Gandhi and Pattabirraman (obviously picked for his bowling!) waiting with their pads on, there was still some depth to go. So it seemed more than a 3 wicket win.