18 ODs put themselves forward for selection. You don't have to know much about cricket to know that 18 is seven more than required, so, it seemed, we were all set to go with enough spare capacity to select several drinks and bag carriers as well.
The problem was that of the 18, 15 claimed wicketkeeping as their first-choice field placing! Which guaranteed, presumably that byes would not feature among the extras count. But with no bowlers in the line-up, it made the services of even one wicketkeeper a bit redundant. The very good idea was mothballed.
But then this year, driven by Ant Pickering (F, 1990) the idea was resuscitated and on Saturday 8th June, at the beautiful Armadillo Club ground located in the even more beautiful Sheffield Park, an ODU XI took on an Old Etonian XI — and won.
The OD XI:
George Jones (M, 2018), Ant Pickering (captain), Dev Campleman (G, 2016, wicketkeeper), Ollie Cunningham (K, 1991), Neal Arnold (S, 1990), John Stanford (F, 1998), Gordon Robinson (F, 1990), Neil Orpen (W, 1990), Caelim Parkes (O, 1990), James Durrant (G, 1994) and Nick Cunningham (K, 1994)
The game, followed by boerewors rolls (obviously) and then a visit to the nearby Griffin Inn, was played and enjoyed in the most exemplary spirit. Bruises and tired and torn muscles forgotten, both sides mingled and relished the opportunity to make new friends.
The scoreboard:
ODs: 226 off 35 overs
Nick Cunningham 56, Dev Campleman 51 retired, Neal Arnold 33*, Gordon Robinson 29*
OEs: all out for 140 in 26.5 overs.
Archie Hines 35, Jim Sclater 31, Nick Cunningham 3-12
The match report (with thanks to Ollie Cunningham (K, 1991)):
Ollie's fabulous, humerous and sort-of-accurate version of the game is in this document.
We have already set June 7th, 2025 for the return fixture with Eton likely to come much harder at us. But so encouraged and confident are the ODs by their win, that one of the team has offered a trophy to be handed to the winning side next year - although suitably engraved with this year's winners. OD team diaries (hopefully) already marked!
Click on the photos below to enlarge them
And then it was over:
Not everyone at Sheffield Park was included in the playing squad:
Click on the photos below to enlarge them
Gordon Robinson warming up the only way he knows how! And wearing the same blazer he wore to many of the local pubs while he was still at School.
Nick Cunningham making short work of Eton's deadliest ... safe in the knowledge that brother Ollie, sporting the latest in umpire shorts, was only ever going to signal a boundary. Until he gave him - his own brother - out LBW a few balls later!
Dev Campleman played precisely and decisively before, sportsmanlike, he retired once he reached his 50
John Stanford and Neil Orpen (and Neal Arnold in the background) relaxed while others got on with the runmaking
Nick Cunningham - unstoppable
And Dev Campleman ... again
Caelim Parkes was in and out so quickly, the beer he left behind didn't have a chance to get warm
It's always slightly easier when there's no bowler to face ... James Durrant
Neal Arnold looking slightly apprehensive as he fits his body armour
Despite the lefthand salute, Gordon Robinson provided military grade scoring services and ensured he didn't suffer dehydration in the process
James Durrant, Caelim Parkes, John Stanford, Neil Orpen, Neal Arnold and George Jones
Nick Cunningham with skipper Ant Pickering
Ollie Cunningham limbering up - in both photos
A contented Dev Campleman having retired on 51 with Neal Arnold behind him who wonders how it's done. Behind them is Dr Seán Cunningham, father of Ollie and Nick
A slightly despondent James Durrant (pitch behind him)
Nick Cunningham, Dev Campleman, George Jones, Ant Pickering and Gordon Robinson
Eton talking tactics
James Durrant making enjoying the delicious sandwiches served at tea
Gordon Robinson pretending to hear the captain's new fielding coordinates
In an attacking field that would make Bodyline look tame, the ODs crowd in on the Eton tailend
And then it was over:
??, Gordon Robinson (played and did the admin) and Brett Chambers (S, 1990)
Evie Donch and Blaine Tomlinson (G, 1968) who came in from Verbier
Doc Seán Cunningham and son Nick
Back: Michelle Vintcent, Ross Vintcent and Sophie-Rose Lloyd
Front: Evie Donch and Blaine Tomlinson
The "Time" part of "Father Time"
In a somewhat different metier, Ross Vintcent (F, 2020, last seen playing for Italy in the most recent 6 Nations Rugby tournament), Craig Vintcent (S, 1986), Stephen Larkin (F, 1990) and Brett Chambers (S, 1990)
