OG Summer Sports Day - Cricket Report
Old Boys Still Got It…

While Old Boy tennis and basketball teams played away in the morning, 11 younger OGs arrived at Collison Oval for the annual cricket match versus the school's first XI team. There was the school team, fit, athletic & warming up, while the OGs staggered in, some looking hung over, and most looking tired and sore from shenanigans the night before.

Most looked relieved as the OGs batted first, and with Stewie Walters and Murabito opening, the rest desperately tried to catch up on drinking water and getting in some sleep before it was their turn to bat. Both guys got off to a good start before Mura was out for a well-made 17. That brought Trav Day to the crease, and with Stewie they smashed 48 before Stewie was caught for a solid knock of 36.

Trav and No. 4 Kev Johnson continued the onslaught on the 1st XI bowlers, scoring at over 5-6 runs per over. Both ended up with well made 40s, Kev with 45 and Trav with 46.

Michael Storer came and went early, leaving Andrew Reppacholli, Tom Chapman and Andrew Jones to provide some late order hitting. Reppa delivered in a big way, smashing 53 not out with Jonna providing backup with a classy 5 not out at the end. Old Guildfordians 6 for 237 after their 40 overs, at a run rate of nearly 6 an over.

With the heat rising, short spells were the order of the day as Jamie Brackjovich and Reppa opened the bowling. Reppa broke through in his first over, then OGs dropped 4 sharp chances to leave the GGS side with a fighting chance. At 2 for 79 after 18 overs, things looked tight as some OG bowlers were shown where not to bowl, but Simon Stewart showed the rest how to catch, giving Andrew Hansen his first and bringing up the third wicket. Wickets fell steadily after that, with the school team choking like Big Mamma Cass to be all out in the 37th over at 146, well short of the required 238 for victory. Andrew Jones bowled well for figures of 2 for 17, while Andrew Hansen claimed an impressive 2 for 6 of 5 overs. Reppa, Tommy Chapman, Scott Meacock, Kev Johnson, “Simmo” Stewart, Bracka, Simon Jones and Mura “burrito” all bowled well, as did Michael “Stores” Storer who took a catch as wicket keeper, then swapped the gloves for the ball and got a couple of wickets himself.

All in all it was a fun day for all concerned, with some big hitting and good bowling making an enjoyable day. The OGs were represented with a good mix of young and not so young any more, with leavers from 1996 joining forces with some who only left last year, and many in between. Next Year's OG cricket match promises to deliver some more excitement as a 20/20 game seems to be on the cards. Watch this space…