Old Cranleighan Cricket Club

Roper ensures we finish on a high

2009-07-10T13:15:00.001Z

Old Cranleighans 252 for 9 dec (Crump T 51, Cowdrey 36, Cope 30, Hannah 24*, Roper M 23) beat Old Tonbridgians 180 (Hedley 40, Crump T 2-11, Crump M 2-16, Langmead 2-19) by 72 runs

A winless cricket week was avoided thanks to a last-day victory over Old Tonbridgians, a result which gave us an atom of revenge for the Cricketer Cup defeat at the end of June. After several captains had huffed and puffed without success, it was the calm head of Mike Roper who resisted the chairman’s moans, declared at the perfect time, and then rotated his bowlers in an almost Brearleyesque way.

Our innings was very much like England’s at Cardiff two day’s before. Most batsmen got started, none went on to play a big innings. Tom Crump scored his second fifty in as many days, Rob Cowdrey, Alan Cope and Roper all looked assured until getting out, but only a tenth-wicket stand of 36 between Matt Crump (demoted to No. 11 after his misdemeanour of 24 hours earlier) and Elliott Hannah enabled us to post a decent score.

Tonbridge had a similar problem – lots of cameos, no substantial knock. They also engineered a comedy run-out and contrive red to play some woeful shots, none worse than the top edge of the rankest of long hops from Chris Porter which accounted for Makepeace just as he appeared set to take our part-time spinners to the cleaners.

Matt Crump, opening the attack, was heard to say as he marked out his run that at least he wouldn’t be treated with as much disrespect as he had been during the Cricketer Cup tie. There was loud tittering as his first delivery disappeared high into Clare’s Oak; the second ball of his next over almost cleared it.

A couple of chances went begging but generally we fielded well. Mike Chetwode bowled well but came in for some tap, Cope bowled some suspect offspin and didn’t. Sam Langmead, sporting sideburns not seen at Cranleigh since Queen Victoria was on the throne, picked up two good wickets with his bustling medium-pacers, and the game ended with the Crumps brothers whirling away with what can loosely be described as spin.

The day finished with the now-traditional Rick Johnson BBQ. While usually a gourmet delight, on this occasion he managed to buy some of sickest burgers and sausages ever produced but once he had charcoaled them, few noticed the difference. Until an unwelcome gurgling stomach woke them at 3am …

Charterhouse ease home as Crump goes AWOL

2009-07-09T19:43:00.003Z

Chaterhouse Friars 119 for 5 beat Old Cranleighans 118 (Crump T 62, Vickers 29) by five wickets

After two days of lousy weather, the rain finally relented for our visit to Charterhouse. However, the pitch was still very wet and that meant the toss was crucial. We lost it, were stuck in, and from the moment Alan Cope was struck twice by lifting deliveries before being dismissed for 0 in the opening over, we were up against it.

As per the teamsheet, it was a Crump who captained the OCs. However, it wasn’t Matt, the match manager, but younger brother Tom. Matt had withdrawn the night before claiming he had tickets for the second day at Cardiff. Eds Copleston’s splenetic reaction was repeated 18 hours later when he found out that Matt had not only missed the match but also failed to secure the promised ticket for the Test. “It’s very disappointing for the club,” Copleston muttered. “It could take many years for Crumpy to rebuild the trust of his team-mates after this debacle.”

Back to the match. With the ball popping from every length, batting was a hit or miss affair. Jock Vickers’ natural game – swing and smash – worked for a while as he bludgeoned 29, aided by four dropped catches, while Tom Crump salvaged some family pride with a superb 62. Sadly, the rest of the side offered little and we were bowled out for 118.

With conditions improving and our opening bowler in hiding from Eds, we were short of seamers to exploit the pitch. The Harman brothers both bowled well, Phil Roper was as tight as ever, and even Vickers managed a wicket. But we were 50 runs shy of making Charterhouse sweat and they eased to a five-wicket win before the scheduled team interval.

Rain blights midweek matches

2009-07-08T15:57:00.000Z

Old Cranleighans 129 for 7 (Copleston E 32, Rosenfeldt 26, Crump M 20) drew with Old Georgians

Warm and sunny turned to cold and wet, and in end after on an-off day, the match was abandoned at 4pm with the square left sodden by 45 minutes of heavy rain. In the play there was, our batting found conditions hard, with only Eds Copleston (32 off 28 balls) managing to find any touch. Two wickets on the stroke of an early lunch saw us go into the interval on 40 for 4, and our only period on top came after the re-start as Copleston and Tristan Rosenfeldt put on 52 in 28 minutes. But once Copleston went and light rain started, we lost momentum.

Old Cranleighans v Grasshoppers - match abandoned

The rain which caused Tuesday’s abandonment lasted through the night and left the square underwater, and a second shower in the morning ruled out any play before the afternoon. An inspection at 2pm resulted in a 3pm start, but as the teams changed and prepared for the toss, the heavens opened again and that was that.

OCs cling on for a draw

2009-07-06T20:25:00.002Z

Old Wellingtonians 244 (Jones 60, Allen 3-30, Henderson 2-33, Harman 2-55) drew with Old Cranleighans 130 for 9 (Bailey 32, Barker 4-23)
Click here for match photos

The weather broke shortly after the start of the second game of the week, the temperature dropping and several heavy showers blighting the day, one brutal squall mid-morning causing several ageing OCs to show a turn of speed not seen in years.

Old Wellingtonians never settled before lunch on a pitch which, spruced up by rain, offered far more than it had 24 hours earlier. Paddy Harman and Ed Henderson proved a useful new-ball partnership, and after they had prised out the top order, Duncan Allen came on to make light work of the middle order. At 88 for 6 an early finish was on the cards, but Jones capitalised as the conditions eased, and he steered Wellington to 244.

We started equally unconvincingly, but despite a minor recovery from Simon Copleston and Steve Bailey, we were never in the chase. More rain meant that we were left batting out the final overs, but that provided late drama as we managed to lose wickets every time we appeared safe. Mike Roper was ninth man out in the penultimate over after more than one scare, and it was left to Henry Watkinson to bat out the final over. Even then he gave his captain one last scare, scooping the fourth ball back over the bowler and coming within a diving inch of being caught.

Records tumble in cricket-week opener

2009-07-05T20:04:00.005Z

Old Cranleighans 358 for 5 (Preece 121, Watkinson 83, Copleston 64*) drew with Eton Ramblers 333 for 8 (J Redmayne 121, Jupp 3-30, Hannah 2-28, Henderson 2-85)Click here for match photos

The cricket week got off to a cracking start with a match against Eton Ramblers that saw more than one century-old record broken. Sadly, it also marked the end of the Wimbledon-long heatwave.

The game itself was drawn, but on a pitch which offered nothing for bowlers, almost 700 runs were scored and the match was in the balance for the last two hours, thanks largely to Eton’s decision to chase a seemingly impossible target from the off. We made a record 358 for 5, 11 more than our record score set in 1907, and Eton finished on 333 for 8. The aggregate of 691 runs smashed the previous record of 601, also set in 1907.

The outfield was baked brown and the pitch a road. Eds Copleston won the toss and we got off to an uncertain start, losing three early wickets, the unluckiest being Simon Copleston, leg-before for 1 despite a thick inside edge, and after flying all the way from Abu Dhabi to play. But the left-handed pair of Chris Preece and Henry Watkinson then set about the second-string bowlers, capitalising on a lightning fast outfield in a fourth-wicket stand of 166 at almost seven an over. Preece drove and pulled with assurance, Watkinson, allowed a rare foray up the order, looked the batsman of old, especially off the front foot.

Preece completed a chanceless hundred, his first for the club, and it was only when he had passed three figures that he was dropped - twice in successive balls - as he hit out. Watkinson seemed set for his own century, much to the chagrin of Rick Johnson who was busy counting the cost of getting two names engraved on the new honours boards, when he was well caught in the covers for 83. But so quick had the runs come that Copleston had little choice but to bat on, taking the total to 358 for 5 in only 49 overs.

Eton made a good start before Jumbo Jupp, on as first change, took three wickets to reduce them to 103 for 3 in the 21st over. With an asking rate at that point of almost ten an over, the game seemed destined for a draw. But the Redmayne brothers laid into some generous bowling, Johnny Gates offering the richest pickings, to such good effect that Copleston was forced to recall his frontline attack sooner than intended.

The last 20 started with Eton requiring 184 – while that seems steep, with the Redmaynes in full flow, they were in the box seat, and when a sharp piece of fielding from Preece accounted for T Redmayne, Innes kept the score ticking over. The asking rate was matched for the first ten overs, Henderson and Watkinson struggling gamely to keep a check on the runs. Jamie Redmayne was caught by Preece on the boundary but he was unable to stop himself stepping over the rope.

Sixty-three were needed over six when Jamie Redmayne thumped Watkinson for 21, putting Eton in the driving seat, but in the next nine balls the game turned on its head. Henderson had Redmayne caught for 121 with the last ball of his 13th over, and then Elliott Hannah, called back to replace the tired Watkinson, struck with successive deliveries. With the first ball of his next over, Henderson bowled Duff-Gordon, and Eton had slumped from 321 for 4 to 325 for 8. The pitch was as perfect as ever, however, and the final 17 balls were easily negotiated.

The evening was spent in the curry house where the young recruits indulged in a much-favoured past-time of abusing the chairman. It is reported, but not confirmed as yet, that at one stage Johnson was rendered speechless. If so, it was a truly remarkable day in every respect.

Double defeat by the School

2009-07-03T20:52:00.000Z

Cranleigh School 242 (Allan 76, Cowdrey 40, Austin 46*, Langmead 42, Harman 3-64) beat Old Cranleighans 178 (Cope 51, Davies 4-44) by 64 runs

For the second year running, we fielded a side of recent leavers in this annual game, although the intended captain, Seren Waters, was absent on international duty with Kenya.
This was the final match of the School’s year and, again in a break with tradition which we hope will continue, the start of the OC week.

Duncan Allan, who had been the mainstay of the School’s innings in the T20 game five days earlier, again provided the anchor with 76, although this time he received good support. Paddy Harman was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 64.

Cope, in only his third innings of the summer, got us off to a flier and while he was in full flow the School were on the back foot. But he miscued when on 51 and it with time running out it was generally expected we would shut up shop, as per absentee captain Eds Copleston’s instructions. But something got lost in translation, the batsmen kept hitting out, and we were well beaten with almost ten overs remaining.

Cranleigh School 138 for 9 (Allan 42) beat Old Cranleighans 129 for 6 by nine runs

History was made on Speech Day when we played our first Twenty20 encounter against the School, an experiment that was well received by all concerned and one that is likely to be repeated in the years to come.

Neither side had much experience in the format, most batsmen seeming to believe slogging was the required tactic. Allan provided the backbone of the School’s innings but at a slow run-rate. In the end, however, it was the difference between the sides.

Cricket week is upon us

2009-07-02T15:07:00.004Z

The highlight of the OC season is on us, and with the weather set fine, the 2009 cricket week promises to be a cracker. We kick off with a game against the School on Friday (July 3) and then after a day off resume against Eton Rambers (July 5), Old Wellingtonians (July 6), Old Georgians (July 7), Grasshoppers (July 8), Charterhouse Friars (July 9 away), Old Tonbridgians (July 10). We have no games on the second weekend as the School prepares for the Bunbury charity matches on Sunday July 12.

Off the field, things are also looking good, with Gatesy offering the following:-

Sunday Drinks at the pavilion/ Cranley Hotel after the game then on to The Curry Inn in Cranleigh. Table booked for 20 for 8pm.

Monday BBQ at the Merry’s after the game Helen to confirm exact timings. There will be taxis from the pavilion then on to Harpers for around 10-10.30. 15 have confirmed but expecting 20-25. Some people are getting the train to Guildford and then heading back on the last return train.

Tuesday Dinner at the Sir Roger Tichbourne in Loxwood, Rick is booking the table and time etc. Currently 12 have confirmed but I expect it to be nearer 15-20.

Wednesday BBQ and drinks with the Grasshoppers at the pavilion.

More will undoubtedly follow …

Never one to miss an opportunity to give a quote, captain Eds Copleston said: "Our spirit and camaraderie is the envy of each and every Old Boys cricket side in the world. The OCCC is stronger than it ever has been and will only get stronger- this cricket week is set to demonstrate that."

Sleepy enjoyment resumes at Headley

2009-06-26T20:51:00.003Z

Old Cranleighans 242 for 6 dec (Chetwode 72, Russell 46, Wilkie 41*) drew with Headley 240 for 6
Click here for match photos

A lovely sleepy summer’s afternoon and a perfect antidote to the abomination resulting from poor captaincy 12 months earlier, the game going down to the last ball. Village cricket as it should be played.

The OC hierarchy banished the captain of 2008 to Singapore and picked a side who would offer some va-va-voom. Michael Chetwode, drafted in after his Frogs game was cancelled hours before, volunteered to open with returning legend Peter Russell, and the pair added 110 in 11 overs. Russell, slightly tubbier but still a magnificently tanned sight for the ladies, oozed class after a rusty start. Chetwode also oozed something, but enough of that. He sliced, heaved and smote to great effect, aided by four dropped catches, and produced the shot of the day, a delightful eight iron which left a large dent in Rick Johnson’s car door.

Sadly, no sooner had Chetwode’s thoughts started to flick back to his only career hundred, made on this same ground, than he played on for 72. Russell then started to open up with some beautiful drives and pulls before he suffered the same fate.

Johnson, in some tight-fitting trousers (but aren’t they all) made 12 exclusively between point and third man, something Headley stifled with five men behind square on the off, while Steve Bailey made a typically idiosyncratic 34.

Iain Wilkie, his remaining traces of hair now silver, started stiffly and got stiffer, but as the declaration loomed played some attacking shots which he would never have considered in his youth (or middle age) to finish on 41 not out.

Headley set off at a pace, aided by Johnny Gates, who proclaimed at tea he could hold hard catches but not easy ones, proving the point by missing a succession of sitters. Just to underline the point he also fluffed a stumping or two. In fairness to him, the chairman, a specialist keeper in his slimmer youth, refused to keep as it interfered with his consumption of the excellent tea.

It was tight all the way, Henry Watkinson using eight bowlers to spice up the chase. In the end Headley needed 13 off two overs with wickets in hand. Chetwode, ever reliant, was summoned and restricted the batsmen to three runs off the penultimate over. Watkinson then tossed the ball to Damion Hill, a spectator all day, for his first involvement, bowling the final over.

With four needed off the last ball, a shot was launched into the deep where Johnson dropped it, but his bulk ensured there was no way the ball would or could pass him to the boundary.

A draw and a thoroughly enjoyable game against a good hosts. Hopefully this ensures we will be invited back in 2010. As long as Tristan Rosenfeldt isn’t allowed to resume his captaincy.

Squad named for Tonbridge tie

2009-06-23T20:18:00.000Z

"We have had some motivational good lucks from many many OCs for this game," writes Eds Copleston, "not least our ex-president John McDermott, who says: “Our D Day has arrived. To play OTs on the Head in the Cricketer Cup has always been the dream. No more comfort zone matches, this truly is the big one.”

Tonbridge are the most successful side in Cricketer Cup competition and this should prove an excellent test for us all. The game is due to start at 11.30am this Sunday (June 28). Traffic should be ok getting down there but please aim to meet by 10.15am at their ground. Directions are at: http://www.tonbridge-school.co.uk/contact/maps/

Below is the squad for the match

Mike Chetwode, Alan Cope, Eds Copleston (capt), Matt Crump, Tom Crump, Paddy Harman,
Will Howard (wk), Abeed Janmohammed, Stuart Meaker, Chris Preece, Phil Roper, Seren Waters, Henry Watkinson.

The squad for the inaugural Twenty20 match against the School, also on Sunday, has also been named. The game starts at midday.

Ross J-D(c), Ross's brother!, Mike Roper(wk), Max Barson, J Harman, Elliot Hannah,
Jumbo Jupp, James Harrison, Damien Hill, Josh Smith, Rich Ashton or Paddy Harman.

Waters and spin sink Haileybury

2009-06-15T21:14:00.005Z

Old Cranleighans 187 for 1 (Waters 103*, M Crump 35, T Crump 31*) beat Haileybury Hermits 186 (walker 93, Watkinson 4-58, Webb 2-30) by nine wickets with 23.5 overs to spare
Click here for match photos

A excellent 107 not out from Seren Waters helped us to an easy nine-wicket win over Haileybury Hermits in the first round of the Cricketer Cup, setting up a challenging second-round tie at Tonbridge in a fortnight.

The setting could not have been better, with the sun shining and hundreds of Old Cranleighans and their families lining the Jubilee boundary. The Red Arrows flew over shortly before the start of the game, and when Eds Copleston won the toss it seemed it was going to be our day all the way.

We started shakily,however, Henry Watkinson and Ed Henderson conceding 17 off the first two overs, but the pair stuck to their guns and reined the openers, and by the tenth over each had taken a wicket and Haileybury were struggling on 43 for 2.

Then came a stand that appeared to be setting them on their way to a formidable total as Nick Walker and Stewart put on 108 for the third wicket. We knew that Walker, whose first-class career with Derbyshire and Leicestershire ended in 2008, would be the danger man, and he set out his stall by smacking Watkinson for two sixes in his first ten balls.

Copleston then set the three-prong spin attack of Phil Roper, Graham Webb and Waters into operation. Initially it seemed as if Walker would continue to dominate, hitting Roper for four fours in eight deliveries, but the next 15 overs produced only two more boundaries. Walker was adept at milking the singles, but Stewart struggled to keep the strike rate up. He managed only one run in the first 38 balls he faced, and 22 of his 24 runs, made from 98 deliveries, were singles.

Roper was unlucky as twice Webb spilt catches off well-hit reverse sweeps, but in the end the pressure told. Copleston switched Webb to the bottom end and with his second ball he had Stewart stumped. Three overs later Waters bowled another Stewart, and then within two balls the innings completely came unstuck.

Gaur was well run-out trying to give the strike to Walker, and next ball Walker himself, limited to singles by tight bowling and good field-placing, was cleaned up by Webb. At 151 for 2 with 18 overs remaining and the pitch playing well, most spectators were talking of a target of 270 plus; nine overs later Haileybury were 171 for 6 and all at sea.

That set the scene for Watkinson, whose pace is a distant memory but who has become a canny death bowler, taking on the mantle which Mike Chetwode used to fulfil so skilfully. By relying on line and length, with the occasional slow full toss into the mix, he polished off the innings with three wickets in five deliveries.

Haileybury had lost their last eight wickets for 35 runs, and defending 186 needed a to hit the ground running. Perhaps the hour-long lunch break, during which former housemaster Roger Knight formally opened the pavilion, did for the visitors.

The opening attack was wayward – there were ten wides in as many overs – and Waters, in good form after a mediocre start to the summer, was savage on anything wide of the off stump, cutting and driving with elegance and power. Matt Crump was by no means going to play second fiddle, and he was as always strong off his legs.

As the hundred approached, both batsmen started taking more chances. Waters was inexplicably dropped at mid-on when in his forties, Crump not as fortunate soon after.

The arrival of Tom Crump only accelerated the finish, cracking four fours in nine balls. Waters, whose fifty came in 61 minutes off 64 deliveries, laid into the weary attack, racing to his second hundred, his second fifty taking only another 32 balls and 34 minutes. His was innings which oozed class, and it was a fitting end to a weekend which had started with his father being awarded the MBE for services to Kenyan cricket.

Squad named for Cricketer Cup first round

2009-05-31T08:50:00.002Z

Following the OCCC Cricketer Cup selection panel conference call (and Rick Johnson was still 25minutes late for that), the following 14-man squad has been named for the first-round tie against Haileybury Hermits on Jubilee on June 14.

Michael Chetwode, Eds Copleston (captain), Matt Crump, Tom Crump, Paddy Harman, Ed Henderson, Will Howard (wkt), Abeed Janmohammed, Rob Jones, Chris Preece, Phil Roper, Seren Waters, Henry Watkinson, Graham Webb.

The only two absentees from last year’s Cricketer Cup final are Stuart Meaker, who is on Surrey duty, and James Halton, who is injured. Alan Cope, who played in all rounds of the 2008 campaign other than the final, is out for the season with a back injury.

Paddy Harman, currently at Durham University, and Chris Preece, who made his OCCC debut against Winchester last week, come in to the squad for the first time.

Copleston battles to secure the draw

2009-05-26T20:14:00.006Z

Old Wykamists 260 for 7 dec drew with Old Cranleighans 178 for 8 (Copleston 88, Henderson 30)
Click here for match photos

Following two away wins, the inaugural home game in front of the new pavilion on Jubilee saw us take on Winchester on a gorgeous day at Cranleigh in what was a Cricketer Cup trial for both teams.

The pavilion looked utterly superb with the new OCCC flag flying happily in the breeze. Eds Copleston lost the toss and Winchester decided to bat, a wise move given the unseasonally hot weather. Henry Watkinson and Ed Henderson tied down the openers with the new ball before the pressure told and Henderson claimed two quick wickets. Mike Chetwode, coming back from his retirement announced in South Africa, maintained the pressure, and a wicket for him and a nonsensical run-out reduced Winchester to 70 for 4.

Ed Prince proved wayward in his first spell, but his replacement Chris Preece tied things down again before lunch. The expansive new catering facilities allowed us to serve the opposition bacon sandwiches before the game and follow that up with a fine lunch – many thanks to our Head Catering Manager & Assistant Catering Manager – better known as Helen & Hayley. Lunch proved too good for us and we looked sluggish afterwards, allowing Winchester to fight back to close on 260 for7.

Against an opposition clearly not in the mood for generosity, we made a decent start before Preece, who latched onto anything pitched up, and Johnny Gates gave their wickets away within four balls shortly before tea.

Andy Ainsley fell straight after the restart and was soon followed by Jock Vickers, bowled attempting a lofted drive, and our batsmen were struggling against the nagging offspin of Tom Hemmingway. Tom Merry was bowled round his legs, and when Watkinson managed his trademark chip to cover we were 65 for 6 and in all sorts of trouble.

Copleston, struggling in the last couple of years, needed a good score and he rolled back the clock with a defiant 88, mixing his typically impish running with some powerful hitting, including three sixes. He clearly benefited from one-on-one coaching from Stuart Welch. He found a partner in Henderson, whose pretensions as a batsman have been advanced by the foot injury which meant he was unable to bowl last summer.

We were always off the pace, but appeared to be well on course for the draw only for Copleston to fall leg-before in sight of his hundred since 2000. A setback became all the more serious when soon after Henderson was brilliantly caught at leg slip off an authentic glance, but Rob Merry, nursing a dislocated finger, and Prince played out the last four overs among some enthusiastic appealing from Winchester.

A stunning memorial

2009-05-22T17:54:00.004Z

Click here for photos
Although the official opening of the renovated Jubilee pavilion is not until OC Day on June 14, it is already in use, and on May 22 a small dinner was given by the school to those who were involved in the rebuilding.

Suffice to say that the interior is stunning, and for the first time we have a genuine cricket pavilion, right down to honours boards listing all school and OC cricket achievements back to 1866. The most stunning feature is the glass-fronted balcony.

Guy Waller gave a short speech on behalf of the school, to which David Bugge, as OCCC president, replied. John McDermott then gave a more lengthy but , as ever, entertaining speech which covered subjects ranging from the driving skills of the headmaster's wife to smoking in the pavilion during the 1950s.

OC legend Viv Cox dies aged 93

2009-04-29T12:30:00.002Z

We are very sorry to have to report that Viv Cox died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, April 27, 2009. He was 93.

There are few individuals so inexorably linked to Cranleigh and Old Cranleighans. Viv was one of a rare breed who both went to the school and returned to teach there, and in retirement built his home in Edgefield Close so he was able to keep on top of daily life at Cranleigh. Quietly and without fuss, he helped many past and present Cranleighans, his pleasure coming from seeing them thrive in an environment which had given him so much pleasure.

As a sportsman, Viv was a one of those multitalented games players which seemed to be so common in the inter-war years. At Cranleigh he was a colour in all three major sports, and also boxed and played fives. He went on to represent English Public Schools at rugby, and but for a serious knee injury playing for the Old Cranleighans against the School, would in all likelihood have won a Blue at Cambridge. As it was, he became the first OC to be capped by England at hockey.

His war was remarkable, and those of us fortunate enough to sit down and chat with Viv about his exploits were entertained for hours with stories of Churchill, Roosevelt and many A-list celebrities. Undoubtedly many of these stories will come out in the coming weeks.

A thespian at heart, he went on to become a leading British film producer and then assisted Bernard Miles at the Mermaid Theatre, before returning to Cranleigh to teach. His lasting memorial at Cranleigh is the Viv Cox theatre.

He played a little cricket for the OCs but kept abreast of the comings and goings, and in 2001, aged 85, accompanied the OCCC on their Kenya tour, a trek which left many half his age wilting. Viv remained cheerful and energetic throughout. He was also a regular player for the OCHC in the two decades after the war.

"Vivian was my valued and special friend for 42 years, since we were new boys in the Common Room together in 1967,” Mike Payne said. “No friend has shared with me such a fund of reminiscence, so much of it connected to Cranleigh. His wit was legendary, all with a sense of timing honed in the theatre and film world he treasured. I have printed before a 2005 example, when I was driving him to Thames Ditton. Knowing that he was tired, I said: 'Vivian, if you want to have a sleep I'll shut up talking.' 'No,' said Vivian, 'I think the best way is for you to carry on.' "

Viv’s funeral will be private, but there will be an opportunity for us to celebrate his remarkable life and major contribution to the School and the OC community at a Memorial Service, to be held in the School Chapel early next year when it re-opens after its refurbishment.

Copleston off to successful beginning

2009-04-27T07:22:00.002Z

OCs 234 for 7 dec (Vickers 53, R Merry 49, Ross 44, Hill 32) beat East Horsley 161 (Henderson 3-14, Gates 3-33) by 73 runs

Report to follow.

Gates to the rescue

2009-04-25T07:20:00.001Z

Following an early morning shower, the sun came out as we arrived for our first game of the season - at the picturesque Follies Farm near Chiddingfold. In his first official game as captain, Eds Copleston won the toss and elected to field having agreed a 40 over-a-side game.

We bowled tightly early on, Luke Moorby unfortunate not to make a breakthrough. Old Spots struggled to 35 for 3 after 15 overs. Alex Craven and Henry Watkinson maintained the stranglehold, Watkinson unlucky not to take a wicket as Jock Vickers failed to hold on to a number of chances behind the stumps. Johnny Gates replaced Craven and immediately took a wicket as his flighted offbreaks confused the Old Spots middle order. Damian Hill replaced Watkinson and runs started to flow more freely. Gates maintained the stranglehold from the other end though and looked impressive, taking 3 for 34 as Old Spots struggled to 154 for 8 off their 40 overs. It should be noted that Vickers was banished as keeper after one drop too many, and Copleston got his reign off to a flying start when he cracked a finger diving over the ball.

In reply, we faltered early on with Will Howard punching the second ball of the innings directly at cover point and calling Tom Merry through for a single Usain Bolt wouldn’t have made. Briefly Copleston and Howard steadied the ship, but when Copleston fell we were shortly 52 for 3. Howard and Hill kept us ahead of the rate and at 82 for 3 off 15overs the game looked to be there for the taking. Howard, however, threw his wicket away with a trademark leading edge before Hill and Moorby fell shortly after. At 96 for 6 the game was very much in the balance. Watkinson and Gates then batted with determination before opening up towards the end to ensure a winning start to the new era.

New season, new direction

2009-03-31T19:26:00.001Z

The new season is nearly upon us and it promises to be an exciting one for the OCCC. The spectacular new pavilion on Jubilee will be ready in April with the official opening on 14th June, the same date as our opening Cricketer Cup game against the Haileybury Hermits makes this an historic season.

A tweaked fixture list has given us more fixtures against old boys sides, a more competitive cricket week and an additional vets game. Added to all of this we usher in optimism (and a little caution!) a new era under the captaincy of Eds Copleston and the presidency of David Bugge. We are very grateful to their predecessors Henry Watkinson and John McDermott and hope they enjoy many more seasons without the burdens of office!

The salient points that emerged in a recent committee meeting were as follows:

We will run a limited match manager system. Eds and the committee will take full responsibility for arranging matches and everything associated with them. However for some games, whether by the invitation of the committee or the application to the committee by an individual, a match manager will be appointed. They will jointly raise a team with Eds and be responsible for confirming the game arrangements. A checklist will be provided in advance so that the manager knows exactly what to do.

Helen Merry has kindly agreed to take on the role of Catering Manager and will be responsible for organising and co-ordinating a group of willing 'tea ladies' to provide and serve lunch and tea at all home games (boys certainly not excluded!)

Last year's introduction of voluntary subs was not well enforced. We have decided that this year the subs will not be voluntary although the amount will be (£30 per year is suggested as a minimum). Rob Merry will be sending bank details and chasing emails. If there are instances where a regular player consistently fails to play then they are likely to be excluded from teams until they do so. Discretion will be exercised where players are playing one or two games a year. For those who have paid lifetime subs, no further payment will be required.

There is a plan to run a 100 Club to raise money for club kit but to also give participants the opportunity to win cash. Draws will be done probably four times a year.

Cricket week will be full steam ahead this year - please see the fixture list on this site. We would encourage those people who work to take a couple of days off to make sure they play. The greater variety and quantity of people we have in and around the teams this year, the more fun for everyone. Monday night is traditionally a night out in Guildford but there will be other evening activities arranged. (No doubt Rick Johnson will be pulling the strings here)

The tour was regarded as a great success. Inevitably attention has already turned to the time and location of the next one. The front running destinations are the Carribean, Western Australia and, an outside bet, Argentina!

Eds will be contacting all playing members about early season availability. The first match is just a month away. We look forward to seeing you all then. Ed Henderson

Season starts with London-wide bus campaign

2009-02-25T21:09:00.003Z

As a prelude to the forthcoming season, the incoming captain Eds Copleston has launched an advertising campaign across London.

The advert (above) is at the moment displayed on the side of a No. 77 bus running from Green Park through Parliament Square, the Embankment and down to Clapham.

"We don't need players, we need support and we need national recognition for being the best old boys cricket club in the country," gushed Copleston. "The club will grow stronger and a more captive audience can only be a good thing. If we can push the advertising global for the website, the public will really start to take interest.

"There is no reason we can't get a thousand people to support a big cup game for instance. I see this as a natural step for the club, the dream is alive."

Copleston is currently receiving therapy and should be available for the start of the summer.

Fixtures for 2009 announced

2009-02-12T20:58:00.005Z

The fixtures for 2009 have now been announced and there's some consolidation around the cricket week and we have also opted out of the Cricket World Trophy.

We have our first Twenty20 contest against the School on what is Speech Day, while the more traditional game switches to later in that week, with our cricket week beginning on the Friday. The first Saturday of the week features a Golden Oldies match while second Sunday of the week gives way to the charity Bunbury game.

The Cricketer Cup opens with a home match against Haileybury, and our thanks go to them for agreeing to cede home advantage to us to allow us to celebrate OC Day and the official opening of the newly-renovated Jubilee pavilion.

Click here for the full fixtures

Rowing the Atlantic ... as you do

2009-01-26T21:14:00.001Z

While most of us panic when the loss of the TV remote control might mean having to actually get out of a comfortable chair during the course of an evening, we are told that sometime OC allrounder come ironman Richard Hume is planning, with a friend, to row the Atlantic Ocean in December 2009. That’s 2500 miles for those of us who suffered an education at Cranleigh.

For more details on the whole venture, plus details of who you can help Richard raise the £60,000 needed for this charitable jaunt, visit his excellent website at http://www.rowingtheatlantic.com/.

A win to end the tour

2009-01-09T22:15:00.000Z

Click here for the day's photos

The final match of the tour and the last chance for new but under-fire captain Eds Copleston to rescue his shredded reputation. The day started with a fascinating tour of one of South Africa’s biggest townships and from there moved on to the match. The intended venue at had, sadly, fallen victim to vandalism and looting and cricket there has all but died out. Nevertheless, we had an opposition, although our travelling support was issued with strict orders not to move from immediately in front of the pavilion … it seems the previous side had ignored this rule and had paid the price.

We batted first and yet again our top order failed to fire, proof if it were needed that combining excessive alcohol and no sleep is no way to prepare for a game. Matt Crump made 23 but it wasn’t until Damian Hill thumped 29 and with Alex Craven and Mike Roper making late runs, we were able to post 152 for 8. Tristan Rosenfeldt’s tour came to an end when he was hit on the finger, his you-can-get-gloves-cheaply-in-Mumbai equipment offering as much protection as a meringue. He departed muttering “when will bloody India stop haunting me” only to reappear with a comedy bandage on his hand, more befitting someone who had trapped his hand in a machine.

It seemed as if it would be four losses in four when we conceded 11 wides in the first five overs as the home side raced to 34 for 0. But then we suddenly found some bottle. Michael Chetwode restored some much-needed control and then part-time spinners Matt and Tom Crump and Alan Cope chipped away at the batting. There were still some glitches – Tom Crump managed an 11-ball over – and the odd dropped catch, but we still put ourselves in a winning position before some late jitters took the match almost to the wire. Cool heads prevailed and as the run-rate climbed, we grabbed the last two wickets and finally had our win on tour.

Presentations followed – we waited to see if Copleston would use the same “this is the most beautiful ground we have played at” speech but even he realised that would be too much – which included handing over more Alive and Kicking footballs. A detour at a township bar – where the “barmaid” served from behind a Fort Knox-like system of grills – followed before we headed home.

After a brief pit stop we headed to Newlands for the end-of-tour dinner in the chairman’s dining room. We took the group photo in the middle with Table Mountain in the background and headed inside. Within minutes we were back out on the square to have another group photo, this time including the Johnsons who, inevitably, were late. Not Rick’s fault. Obviously.

The dinner was followed by closing fines and awards. The batsman of the tour was Damian Hill, the bowler Michael Chetwode, the fielder Tom Merry, and the overall Man of the Tour Keith Crump, whose uncomplaining good humour and ability to ignore the worst excesses of his sons was an example to all.

A few late-tour arguments ended the evening, various pubs were visited and the last of the squad returned to the hotel at 10am, complete with lurid tales.

Naps and appalling fines

2009-01-08T21:35:00.000Z

An early-morning jaunt up Table Mountain ended before it began after we woke to a grey day with low cloud. Everyone headed back for a powernap before rising two hours later to head to a wine-tasting session followed by a picnic lunch in the hills. We got back about 4pm for a second powernap and then possibly the most idiotic fines session of the six OC tours to date. Tristan Rosenfeldt looked to add some spice to proceedings by offering a Play-Your-Cards-Right twist. The idea was that the victim picked a card and guessed whether the next card is higher or lower … if they guessed right then they could pick someone else to drink their fine for them. While that sounded fine on paper, what Rosie figured without was that almost everyone would guess correctly, and that they would all hand the fine back to him to drink. In short, within 15 minutes Rosenburg was a gibbering, alcohol-fuelled wreck. While Rosie ranted and dribbled, everyone else headed out to the Waterfront for a meal which involved copious quantities of cocktails, and from there to an Irish pub where the tour wheels really came off in spectacular style. One senior tour member who is old enough to know better returned home in a police car, given a lift rather than under arrest after being found wandering the streets of Cape Town.

Three out of three

2009-01-07T21:19:00.003Z

Click here for the day's photos

By now under pressure after two defeats and with the resignation of another captain ringing in his ears, Eds Copleston promised changes and a new purpose for the game at Constantia Vitsig, a glorious little ground nestled in a vineyard. He even took those members of the XI who didn’t tell him where to stick it on a pre-match run. For 20 overs it seemed a corner had been turned only for us to run slap bang into a massive brick wall.

One problem was that despite the youth and size of the squad, injuries were taking their toll and so we went into the match with four front-line bowlers and only one able to take anything more than a four-pace run-up. After a rollicking start, the guile of Chetwode, Cope and Matt Crump (reduced to bowling spin because of a detaching toenail that belonged in a museum of horrors) reduced Constantia to 98 for 5 in the 19th over. All was well. Except Eds was left without any of the four to bowl the last seven overs. Putting his faith in Langmead and Hill was a bold move that didn’t quite work as those overs yielded 109 runs. Langmead 4-0-58-1, Hill 3-0-50-0. Gray, Constantia’s opener, made an excellent 129*including nine sixes, as they posted 268 for 8.

The talk at the break was of the need for a positive start, but we lost Rosenfeldt in the third over (although he did score his first run in five innings in South Africa) and by the end of the tenth over we were 30 for 3 with Cope and Matt Crump out. From then on it was only ever going to be a face-saving exercise. Copleston briefly sparked with 26, Gates played himself into some form with 25, Hill bludgeoned 30 and Langmead at the end made 38*, but it was another heavy defeat by 91 runs.

After fines and the passing of Dick of the Day to Hill for his bowling, we dined at one of South Africa’s best restaurants where we managed to behave. For about half an hour. The napkins were knotted, the wine flowed and Chetwode muttered “don’t any of you know how to behave in a real restaurant” more than once. We were joined by the Johnsons who had decamped to a luxury villa on the estate for the remainder of their tour, a move which was widely condemned in public and envied in private.

Sharks avoid the OCs

2009-01-06T21:17:00.001Z

What the advertisers would have you believe was a once-in-a-lifetime shark-viewing experience was described by Keith Crump as “the worst day of my life”. The 4.30am start unsurprisingly accounted for a few casualties as some senior players opted out with lame excuses, but more than a dozen of the group headed out to sit in a cage and watch sharks at play. Gates’ now customary chunder (some say it was before the boat has left the harbour) failed to prove a tasty treat and not a shark was to be seen in the four-hour bobbing on the ocean waves. And it rained. And it was cold.

The seniors headed for the hills for a long and wine-fuelled lunch, enlivened by the Johnson-Watkinson old wives act as the hapless pair got hopelessly lost (the blame is still being discussed). The wine continued to flow through fines and beyond, with the senior pro (Chetwode) seeking to spark some old hostilities by covering the locals in beer. His wife, by now Dick of the Day, was quieter … mainly because she had passed out, making her an easy target for Copleston to write on as she slept.

A day to reflect

2009-01-05T21:16:00.000Z

A quiet day to allow reflection on the previous 24 hours, spent by most of the party at the beach or enjoying a superb lunch at a waterfront restaurant where we were joined by Tom and Osha Hufton. Fines in the evening were relatively low key and the group went their own way.