Garner Steel piles on runs
Late May and early June saw a number of successes and a few failures for Ovington with the biggest highlight being the volume of runs scored by teenage batting sensation Alex Garner Steel.
The 1st Team welcomed Duncombe Park to the Knavesmire and on 25th May and with Ovington batting first, Garner Steel did what he does best by anchoring the innings with a well constructed 77. Partnered by a measured 39 from Joe Whale and a more explosive 31 from captain Tom Armes, the young wicket keeper helped Ovington reach a total of 194/6 off their 45 overs. Duncombe Park started well in their chase, reaching 40 without loss whilst exceeding the required run rate. However, once older brother Ollie Garner Steel took the first wicket, the Ovington side were able to contain their opponents and restrict them to 147 all out to claim a 47 run victory. Matt Wright took 3 wickets for just 10 runs off his 9 overs and Ollie Garner Steel, Thomas Cookson and Neil “Doc” Metcalf took 2 wickets each.
Due to early season weather, the 1st Team then had to double up and play a rearranged game away at Knaresborough on Monday 29th May. Batting first again, Ovington reached a slightly disappointing score of 130 all out. Once again it was Alex Garner Steel (40) and Armes (30) top scoring but the team may have felt slightly apprehensive at their low total as they enjoyed their tea. However, any fears were soon dispelled as opening bowlers Ollie Garner Steel and Dom Kitching took early wickets. This time it was spinner Thomas Cookson how finished with the best figures (7-1-10-4) as the home team were bowled out for just 70 runs.
The following week saw the 1st team lose for the first time this season away at New Earswick on 1st June. It was York’s Chocolate Derby as South Bank played New Earswick, Terrys took on Rowntrees but in the end it was a convincing victory for the Kit Kat over the Chocolate Orange. Batting first once more, Ovington overcame a difficult start to reach a total of 153 all out in the final over of their innings. Inevitably it was Alex who top scored with an unbeaten 66 accompanied by useful innings in the 20s from Monty Grenyer and Wright. However, this total proved no problem for division leaders New Earswick who knocked their chase off in the 26th over for the loss of 1 wicket with their star batsman R. Pembroke reeling off another century.
The 1st team were back to winning ways the following week as they hosted Pannal on 8th June. Bowling first seemed to suit Ovington as they bundled their visitors out for just 72. Dom Kitching was the star man on the day taking 5/15 off his 7 overs and it came as no shock to anyone when the home team chased down this low total with ease. Joe Whale and Harry Buckley being the not out batsmen as Ovington took 14.3 overs and lost just one wicket in their pursuit.
As a 16 year old GCSE student, Alex is qualified to play for the 2nd team as well and he truly cashed in away at Clifton Alliance on 2nd June. Bowling first on a good wicket, Ovington did well to restrict their young opponents to a total of 144/4 off their allotted 40 overs. However, all of that was just a set up to Garner Steel scoring his first senior hundred for the club finishing with a total of 106 not out off just 86 balls. Well batted young man, lets hope that this good form continues for the rest of the summer and beyond.
That win was unfortunately sandwiched between two disappointing results at the 2nd team’s home ground for the season at Millthorpe School. First, a decent looking batting line up struggled against Thorpe Willoughby on 25th May reaching a total of just 104 all out. This could have been significantly worse without a sterling 26 from Luke Smith. Although this was a total that was well below par, it very nearly proved too much for the away team who kept on losing wickets in their reply. Three wickets for Smith and another 3 for Owen Price almost won the day but Thorpe just squeaked over the line to win the thriller by 1 wicket.
A fortnight later there was no exciting finish at Millthorpe as Ovington 2nds were comfortably beaten by Selby on 8th June. Bowling first, Ovington offered a very generous fielding offering to their opponents, dropping multiple catches against a team who were in no mood to let their opportunities go to waste. The only bright spot was the in form Luke “Kong” Smith sticking to his task to take 7 wickets (although you’ll have to look up for yourselves how many runs he went for). Selby’s score of 244 always looked too much for the home team to chase and in the end their 139 runs in reply was a fairly respectable attempt. Juniors Will Hempel and Wilf Metcalf impressed and 35 from a one legged David Heaton gave hints of what might have been.
The following day the 2nd team got back to winning ways in a rearranged game away at Heslington. Batting first Ovington reached a total of 192 all out including 32 from Adrian Stipetic at better than a run a ball and 37 from the returning Jack Eckersley WIlson at better than 2 runs a ball! However, top scorer was youngster Wilf Metcalf in his first full season of senior cricket and who was left kicking himself to not reach a half century as he fell for a very impressive 49. Maybe he would have got there if he had a faster batting partner but instead had to make do with batting alongside Doctor Metcalf who also scored 30. Heslington gave it a good go to chase down their target but fell short reaching 168/8 off their 40 overs. Wickets were shared around the bowlers with not quite so youngster Dick Buckley taking 3/42.
The third team have been frustrated by weather and opposition concessions limiting their game time this season but they did get a game in away at Heworth on 9th June. Unfortunately, this resulted in their first defeat of the season. Bowling first, they conceded 180/7 off a reduced 30 overs as the home side batted aggressively in the shortened game. Spencer Fern continued to impress and took 2 wickets for Ovington. The away side never looked like chasing down this total although there was a sprightly 34 for Fern batting in partnership with captain David Warner (23) and a reply of 152/7 was a commendable effort from Ovington 3rds.
All three games on 15th June fell victims to the seemingly never ending rain with the 1st an 3rd teams not even making it onto the field. The 2nd team game away at Pocklington lasted until half time with “experienced” bowlers Dick Buckley and Simon Rogerson toiling away for 4 wickets each in what ended being a waste of energy as Ovington were not able to start their reply before the game was called off
The season continues and all three Saturday teams will look to build on their successes and continue to enjoy their cricket for the mighty Ovington.