Metcalf Family Partnership Tops Off Successful July

Positive results throughout July have left all 3 of Ovington’s weekend teams on or near the top of their respective tables.
The month began on 5th July with a win for the 1st Team at home on the Knavesmire against Knaresborough. Batting first, Ovington managed a score of 191/5 off their slightly reduced 43 overs. Joe Whale topped scored with 52 and no Ovo batsman failed to reach double figures. Knaresborough could only manage 150 all out in reply to give Ovo a 48 run victory. As is often the case, it was combination of pace and spin that got the wickets with both Matthew Wright and Thomas Cookson taking 4.
At the same time up at Millthorpe, the 2nd team won their own game against Heslington despite twice trying the throw the game away. Heslington batted first and at 54-8 must have thought the game would be over before it started, however some lower order hitting dragged their score up to slightly more competitive 96 all out with veteran Dick Buckley taking 4 wickets and new boy Spencer Fern impressing on his 2nd team debut. Ovo’s reply raced up to 75 without losing a wicket, mostly thanks to a second consecutive 50 from Lucas Moore. However from there, Ovington managed to lose 7 wickets before limping over the winning line.
The following day witnessed the only league defeat of the month with the 3rd Team losing away to Hemingbrough. Batting first on a rain reduced day, Ovington reached 105/5 off their 30 overs with Graham Walton rolling back the years to top score with 57. However, they were unable to prevent their hosts from reaching their target in the 26th over to lose by 8 wickets.
The following weekend was a complete washout with all 3 games called off and the decision made to delay Funday from its original planned day.
On Saturday 20th July, the 1st team hosted Malton and Old Malton in a match that caused a few frayed nerves and chewed finger nails. Bowling first, Ovington limited their guests to a below par score of 160 all out, with 3 wickets each for Cookson and Dick Buckley and 2 each for Wright and Olly Garner Steel. Their chase (eventually) ended up being well paced and well judged with Whale once again top scoring with 70 not out. However at times it looked like they would run out of time to reach their target and it required an injection of 37 rapid runs from captain Tom Armes to get them to their total.
After it’s delay, Funday took place on Sunday 21st July and those that could attend reported they had an enjoyable time. Food and drink were consumed, money was raised for the club and on the cricket side it was Barry Steel and his team who claimed the winners medals and the bragging rights within the Garner Steel household. These events are always enjoyable and important and we hope to see as many as possible next time.
At the same time as Funday, the 3rd Team hosted Church Fenton at Millthorpe and came away with a comfortable victory. Graham Walton and youngster Will Hampel both scored 40 and other batsmen (plus 46 extras) contributed as Ovington set a total of 188/4. Church Fenton could only manage 132 all out in reply with wickets shared out amongst the Ovington blowers including 3 for Will Ellis.
On 27th July, the 1st team travelled to Pickering for a top of the table clash that may have gone some way to decide the outcome of the league. Charlie Buckley found some of the batting form that has somewhat deserted him recently to top score with 88 in a total of 198 all out. Once again Ovington bowlers did the job for the club to bowl out their hosts for 149 to win by 49 runs. Buckley Senior took 3 wickets to back him his son’s batting performance and Cookson followed up his own 46 runs with the bat earlier in the day to take 4 wickets in his push to be top wicket taker in the division.
The stand out performance of the month came on the final weekend as the 3rd team hosted Thorpe Willoughby on the Mire. Building on a rapid 80 from opener David Heaton that had given Ovington an excellent platform, the stage was set for Neil “Doc” Metcalf and his oldest son Wilf to put on a monster, unbeaten partnership of 170 runs. Going at a rate of more than 6 runs an over, they peppered boundaries and found gaps to punish the opposition bowling. Papa Doc finished with a 115 off 81 balls with Baby Doc celebrated his first senior 50 in support after falling inches short the month before. The final Ovington total of 298/3 was comfortably enough to win the game as they bowled their visitors out for 87 with wickets shared around including 1 for crowd favourite Wilko Wilkinson.
August and September will throw new challenges but, for now, things are looking good for the mighty Ovington.