Dependable Roberts and Buckley guide firsts to victory

All three teams were in action for the first time in 2023. There were some notable individual performances in all three games as well as our first game at our home-away-from-home, Crayke, where, this week, the away team had far less distance to travel to the fixture than the home team. It’s not too late to join us if you’re interested, please get in touch through this website or social media!

Thank you to all of our sponsors for their continued support.

Firsts claim debut division one victory

The first team arrived at a damp Crayke CC, caused either by localised rain or a heavy dew (presumably due to it’s high altitude). The early season conditions persisted throughout the game. Captain Benjamin Busby continued his 100% record at the coin toss by losing and Ovington being put into bat. Boundaries were hard to come by on a slow scoring surface. Thomas Cookson (33) and Joe Whale (20) gave Ovington a steady start, getting to 56-0 before both fell. Then came Charlie Buckley and Matthew Roberts in at three and four respectively who showed patience and discipline to guide Ovington through the middle overs, putting on a 127 partnership, both of whom notched up half centuries. A few cameos from the middle order saw Ovington post 230-5 from their 50 overs.

Ovington had posted what seemed to be an above par score for this time of year, but there were certainly some mild concerns when the first ball of the Easingwold reply was dispatched into a neighbouring for 6 straight back over the bowlers head off the bowling of Dominic Kitching. However, this proved to be an anomaly as Easingwold lost wickets regularly and struggled to score, in large part thanks to the partnership of Dick Buckley (7.4-2-11-4) and Neil Metcalfe (7-2-16-2) with Easingwold being bowled out for 65 inside 30 overs.

Seconds play part in thriller

Luke Smith’s side welcomed plenty of fresh faces to their side as they took on fellow contenders at the top of the table, Stockton and Hopgrove CC. S&H won the toss and decided to bowl. Ovington got off to a slow start to the innings, being reduced to 39-2 from the first 20 overs before accelerating hugely in the second half with a partnership between opener James Eckersley (63 from 100) and American International Stefan Littlewood who hit an explosive 64 from 59 including 23 from the final over of the innings, to see Ovington finish on 164-4 from 40 overs.

Stockton and Hopgrove scored steadily in their reply but regularly lost wickets which hampered their ability to accelerate. Lots of bowlers chipped in with wickets with the highlights being debutant Will Fox (9.3-3-36-3), the ever-reliable Dr Simon Rogerson (12-0-24-2) and a special mention to 14-year-old Noah Goforth, playing his first senior cricket game, bowling 10 overs and taking 2 wickets. The game came down to the last over, with S&H getting over line the with 2 balls remaining.

Thirds lose out to strong Thorpe Willoughby side

Dave Warner, leading his team for the first time, evidently has picked up the knack of not winning the coin toss, making a hat-trick of losing tosses this week, by being put in to bat first. Ovington grinded out a respectable score against a tight bowling attack, posting 114 all out. Jed (51) and Joe Fowke (25) posting a father-son partnership of 44.

Thorpe overcame this score within 23 overs, at the loss of 4 wickets. Ovington picking up valuable bonus points against one of the stronger teams in the league.

Victory in first game for Evening League XI

Our evening league side, now playing in division 2 of 4 after back to back promotions, came out victors in a routine run chase against Stockton and Hopgrove. The away side batted first, setting 86-6 from their 16 overs. Ovington chased this down, at the loss of 2 wickets with 3 overs to spare.

The firsts travel to Pannal this week, with cup action against Stamford Bridge III awaits for the seconds. There’s no game for the thirds.