Funday ’25
As we hurtle into July and towards the school holidays. The thoughts of all cricketers in the South Bank area inevitably turn to the highlight of the year.
Ovington Funday 2025 will take place on The Little Knavesmire on Sunday 20th July, starting at 12pm. Join in the 7 aside cricket. Enjoy the food cooked on the BBQ (vegetarian options will be provided). Get stuck into the bar, tuck shop and cakes. Try and win on the raffle.
All are welcome, cricketers and non cricketers alike. The cricket will be played with soft balls and therefore suitable for all. Bring friends, bring family, bring a smile.
Of course, if you could contribute in any way that would be delightful. You could come early and help set up. You could bring cakes and sides for the BBQ. You can do a stint on one of the stalls.
Could senior players please indicate how they are planning to help by filling in the relevant column in the availability sheet here
We hope to see as many as possible there. In the meantime, below is a match report detailing a young cricketer reaching another fabulous milestone as well as an exciting opportunity for club players.
Saturday 5th July, Wheldrake 2nd XI vs Ovington 3rd XI
Ovington: 222/6 (40); Hampel 101*, Ashby 62; Roberts 3/19
Wheldrake: 180/8 (40); Sathiyaseelan 40; Fern 2/23, Mason 2/23
Ovington won by 42 runs
Scorecard: https://ovington.play-cricket.com/website/results/6780148
This week the 3rds travelled to Wheldrake hoping to avenge the defeat suffered on the first Saturday of the season.
After winning the toss (finally) the skipper decided to bat first. The Ovington card was in some elements a kind of sacrificial opening batting lineup. Spencer Fern (sponsored by DWUFB) bravely opened and whilst giving square leg umpire a big grin for surviving his first ball, he then nicked the second and off he went. James Mason up the order doing the team a huge favour got a good one early and before they new it Ovington were 9/2.
Then came the contentious moment and one Wheldrake can probably be right to feel aggrieved with. Will Hampel called a run, forgetting he wasn’t Usain Bolt and looked to be short of his ground. The throw missed the stumps but none the less the bails came off a second later. The keeper obscured the view of Warner as square leg umpire and it was hard to tell what had happened, although on further reflection he may concede that he should have dealt with it better and spoken to his other umpire. In the end the offer was given to the Wheldrake keeper to give his honest decision and he kindly said let him Will bat on as he wasn’t 100% sure where the batter was (again poor umpiring from Warner, Dickie Bird he is not). The keeper even jokingly added as long as he doesn’t go on to score a hundred I’m sure it won’t matter. (Oh dear).
From there an Ovington legend showed that time form is temporary, class is permanent. 2 years out from the game whilst residing in Bali has done nothing to diminish his skills. The man himself Tom Ashby and he alongside the young wizard Will Hampel suddenly turned the game on it’s head. After the earlier whoopsie, the running between the two was brilliant and there was barely a false shot played by either. A partnership of 107 was in some ways effortless and a joy to watch. Ashby eventually fell for 62 but the fireworks didn’t stop there. Luke Smith came in and ran four 2’s in 5 balls (I promise I’m telling the truth), also bludgeoning three 4’s of his own. Andy Baldwin, Dom Carass and Warner all played a part, keeping the runs coming. But, and a big the this is a mammoth but, the innings went to Hampel and he played it to perfection. Sensing that time was running out before he had the chance to reach the milestone, he hit his last 24 balls for scored 44 runs, flying to his second ton of the season. Unbelievable and a joy to watch and a fabulous achievement for a young cricketer. Ovington finished their 40 overs on a double Nelson, turning around at 222/6.
Half time teas were superb and the Ovo team headed out to field. Warner opened the bowling with slow rubbish and Ranjan Bhattacharya bowled a dynamite spell to rattle through the overs and keep the score down. Warner made the breakthrough, Smith taking another catch in close. The bowlers changed with Smith and Mason joining the party. Both did the same roles, getting through overs, keeping it tight and taking wickets. Mason had one batsmen bowled and the other caught by Warner on the move. Smith also had one bowled with a great delivery. At this point Wheldrake were behind the rate but weren’t about to give up.
Fern as he has done all season came on and removed the dangerman, a real feather in his cap that he keeps been able to make huge breakthroughs. Baldwin backed him up from the end that felt like it was bowling into a hurricane and was mightily unlucky not to have a wicket or two. Just as Wheldrake were starting to tick over Fern with his last over again managed to get out the set batter, Ranjan taking the catch at the third attempt.
Warner came back on to tie an end up and Jacob Mellows was excellent bowling into the wind tunnel, getting a wicket he massively deserved. In the end Wheldrake fought valiantly and got to 180 from their 40 overs.
Ashby and Carass were excellent in the field and made a huge difference with their wise older heads. It must be noted that Andrew Tomlinson as keeper was unreal. Ovington fielded without a fine leg or third man for the entire match. They had 7 different bowlers. And Tomlinson as keeper conceded zero byes.
Of course, Hampel takes home player of the match and Ovington keep on rolling.
Pictures With Dave
Have you helped Ovington 3rd Team win a game this year?
If yes then you may be eligible for a Picture with Dave
Batting. Bowling. Fielding. It doesn’t matter what you have done, you too could take advantage of the fabulous, once in a lifetime opportunity.
You could be stood in front of the scoreboard. You could be jointly holding a cricket ball. You could even be looking awkward as Dave off takes most of his clothes.
Don’t miss out, enquire today.
Terms and Conditions apply. Dave MUST be stood on the right of the picture. David Warner and all subsidiaries will own the full rights to this and all other pictures taken.
Text by Dave Warner and Simon Rogerson.