Opening day defeat is a blow for OAs

OACC 1XI travelled to the village of Preston to begin their league campaign for the 2008 season. New Trinidadian overseas fast bowler Kwesi Roy spearheaded a fresh OA side

Division Two

OACC 133-10 (51.4) overs. Preston 134-4 (33.1)

OACC 1XI travelled to the village of Preston to begin their league campaign for the 2008 season.

New Trinidadian overseas fast bowler Kwesi Roy spearheaded a fresh OA side under newly installed captain Jon Smithers who won the toss and elected to bat on the damp and green pitch.

The visitors did not get off to a good start with the early losses of Matt Corran and Dave Rourke for low scores. Simon Wood and returning former captain Alf Rehman steadied the ship to 40-2 until Rehman was eluded by the low bounce from Preston's opening bowler.

Captain Smithers joined Wood at the crease and set about the Preston attack until he was dismissed for a lively 18.

With the run rate dropping and Preston looking to turn the screw Wood and Roy established a useful partnership until Wood was given out lbw for 30. Further wickets fell quickly, despite useful contributions from Ravi Vijh and Nick Nguyen, and the visitors were all out for 133.

In reply, Preston made light work of the target set for them having the advantage of a drying outfield. Their opening batsman made a very impressive 65 not out and was able supported by the rest of the top order. Smithers, Hall, Preest and Kwesi Roy shared the OA wickets between them.

The OACC Seconds lost in the final over the game in a narrow run chase against Knebworth Park at Woollams. The visiting side batted first and excellent bowling from Tariq Hassan (five wickets) and Nick Burman (three wickets) meant that OACC were set a target of 129 To win.

Stuart Dunklin and Duncan Taylor hit runs down the order and hauled OAs within 13 runs of an unlikely win before Taylor was dismissed in the last over of the game to ensure victory for the visitors. OAs were all out for 115.

A poor batting performance by the third eleven wasted the excellent efforts of their bowling attack in their first league game of the season in Division 11 at home. Anthony Goodin, bowling unchanged from one end, led the way in restricting the visiting Bushey Met Police II to 155-5 from their 47 overs.

In reply the home side continuously lost wickets and were bowled out for 54.

On Sunday the OACC Second XI enjoyed an easy home win over Cockfosters Second XI.

The visitors batted first but were unable to deal with the excellent spin bowling of Simon Bates (3-18) as they were bowled out for 151. In reply Matthew Corran and Mark Winchester led an early attack on the visitors bowling with Winchester completing a rapid 58. A fall of three quick wickets left veteran batsman David Goodier (22 not out) to see the game home with 15 overs to spare and seven wickets in hand.

On Saturday OACC play Knebworth Park II at Woollams in their first home fixture of the 2008 season.