OD ANNUAL CRICKET MATCH VS 1ST XI
6th June 2023
The 2023 Old Denstonian XI contained an array of talented leavers from the early 2000s all the way through to last summer's U6th cohort. As is customary the ODs elected to bat first in tricky conditions. Openers Chris Beech and Amer Siddique raised a 50 partnership with the latter passing his half century, before Ben Burrows and Harvey Hosein hit the accelerator with dashing cameos. James Parker added some solidity to the middle of the innings with the real damage done by Greg Cork as he plundered 82 in the second half of the innings dispatching a volley of short pitched bowling. The innings concluded at 315 for the loss of 7 wickets and lunch was taken with an opportunity for team members to take a trip down memory lane in the pavilion.
The 1st XI began their chase in the face of tight bowling from the veteran opening pair of Jon Walmsley and Adam Johnson. Early wickets were shared between the double act, backed up by some excellent fielding. Will Rhodes then bowled with flight and guile in partnership with Alex Blake who finished with 4 wickets despite being a little expensive in the process, following some excellent lower order batting from the 1st XI. Amer Siddique claimed the final wicket, with the 1st XI all out for 165. One OD remarked that it had been his most enjoyable day on a cricket field for a long time and the whole team are already looking forward to 2024. - Jack Moran.
