And that's a wrap...

 And that's a wrap!

Often heard at the conclusion of filming an epic movie...

I couldn't think of a better way to start this update due to the movie style ending that was seen on Saturday, at Woollams, with most teams back and watching the 3rd team. The very last three balls of the season for the 3rd team were bowled by a player with over 500 games under his belt for the club and all three balls took a wicket. Tom Preest will start next season where his first ball will be for four wickets in a row. Take a bow.

More on this in the 3s match report below.

What an end to the season

So, thats it for 2023.

The club Chairman (David Goodier) and I (Team Sec) would like to send a HUGE thanks to every single member of OACC.

What an absolute pleasure to have you all follow us and support us on this journey, especially with a couple of radical changes that have been made and introduced. Thank you for sticking with us and believing in us.

Many people come up to us and tell us how pleased and proud they are of the club at the moment and how much they are already looking forward to next season and they are enjoying their cricket. This for us is all we ever wanted and in our opinion it is only the start, the first season of a new era.

Results, season awards, dates for your diary......

RESULTS - 3 wins out of 5
1st XI -OACC, 126-10 from 33.5 v Boxmoor, 130-4 from 23.4 - Finished 5th in division
2nd XI - Southgate Compton, 81-10 from 24 v OACC, 83-4 from 27. Finished 10th in division
3rd XI - OACC, 151-10 from 36 v Harpenden V, 141-9 from 40. Finished 4th in division
4th XI - OACC, 151-8 from 39 v Bayford & Hertford II, 152-8 from 38.1. Finished 6th in division
5th XI - OACC, 178-5 from 35 v Leverstock Green V, 103-10 from 28.3.

June 28th 2024 - Lashings Internation XI v Old Albanian CC - Save the date !

MATCH REPORTS FROM SATURDAY

1st XI
We arrived at "the oval" .., aka Boxmoor, knowing that regardless of the result we would finish a very solid 5th this season. However, after having received two send offs during our innings the tone of the day changed slightly. Thanks to Ben Scott's 40, Ansar Ahmad 25 and Riley Pullan 21* we crept to 126 all out. Fueled by a slight anger at some interesting umpiring and the oppositions actions we went out to field with a renewed hunger. Harrison Smith and Samed Ullah opened up very well with Samed taking his first 1stteam wicket very well deserved and Thomas Yerbury giving us the other highlight of the innings as the youngster bowled a lovely inswinger to claim his first (of many) 1st team wickets as well. However, Boxmoor cruised to our total for the loss of just 4 wickets. However, todays cricket couldn't put a dampener on what has been a marvellous season for the 1st XI. We finished 5th in the division with 8 wins and 6 losses but more importantly we built a brilliant young squad that are only going to get better. See you all again next year!

2nd XI
With not many wins this season the 2nd XI stepped up and put away the opposition at Woollams to end the season on a high and to show what the side is capable of next year. Congratulations to an impressive line up and next season will be one to have a massive bounce back. While the scores were low each week the teams enthusiasm and spirit was never dented and everyone should be proud of what was achieved. Looking forward to next season already.

3rd XI
In a local derby you can expect nothing else but determination, high spirit and above all else, always expect something special..... and so it was delivered. I won't write too much about the game as the ending was so special that I will write a little about this instead. OA's were put into bat and Dad Dalwood and Son Dalwood walked to the crease with enthusiasm and smiles. Unfortunately one returned only a couple of overs later with just a small phrase in his head.... You didn't listen to what I was teaching you in the garden son.... Yes, unfortunately Kian Dalwood was out after showing some promising signs of a good innings. Another OA wicket fell shortly after which left Tony Dalwood and club stalwart (504 games for the club) Tom Preest to consolidate and then start to score some runs freely, making it look effortless against a decent bowling attack. A 70 partnership was scored with Dalwood T (32) and Preest T (54). the rest of the runs were shared and a total of 151 was set.

Harpenden started well but were restricted by some good opening bowling. Then runs started to flow and to be honest the tension in the field started to tighten. Then came the magic moment, but first, the scene. All first team players had returned and all showed brilliant support on the boundary along with parents and partners from the on field 3s players. The 2s game had ended and they had also joined the now large gallery of spectators and supporters. This crowd were feeling the tension but acted very well as the 12th man with some great chants, cheers and encouragement. So a large crowd now adding to the onfield growing tension on the field.

3 overs to go and Harpenden were only 17 runs from victory and two very set batsmen. Two overs to go and only 14 runs requires. This was very tense and not looking great. Then captain Bates stepped up to remove the younger batter who was going well with an extremely good catch by Kian Dalwood. One over to go and only 11 required...... Step up the very very very experienced Thomas Preest, and you could not have asked for a better ending to a season..... Ball one, 1 run, nobody panic. Ball two, dot, ball three, 1 run. The oppo require a boundary. Silence fell on the field and off..... 4th ball of the over... WICKET, batsman stumped swiftly by Rick Coope as he charged down the wicket. Loud cheers on the boundary... 5th ball of the over... WICKET, bowled. The batsman played on the wrong line of a Preest special turning ball (not many move so unlucky batsman)... Can it be.... will he do it.. rumbles in the crowd. Capt and Preest decide to keep the same field. Chants on the boundary.... 6th and final ball of the innings..... Caught WICKET.... Kian Dalwood takes a magnificent one handed grab in the slips of a nick from the bat. Hat trick completed. Pitch invasion commences, celebrations all round. Could not of happened in a more spectacular moment nor to a more worthy clubman. Take a bow Thomas Preest !!! From the captain himself, "wow! what a special special moment, I feel like I have just completed cricket".

4th XI
The 4s finished the season with a tough match v league runners up Bayford and Hertford. Although the 4s lost, they took the game to the wire with 6 juniors again demonstrating how much young talent is coming through at the moment.

The 4s were all out for 151 in the 39th over. Isaac Gow led the way with a superb 63 displaying all the shots that won him 4s batter of the season. There were also useful contributions from Gordon Black (18), Rich Pitts (17) William Linger (15*) and Tom Gow (11).

In reply they managed to take 8 wickets but Bayford won the game in the 38th over. Rich Pitts (3 wickets) and Rowan Black (2 wickets) were both superb and would have had more on another day. Arthur Pitts and Faisan Nisar bowled well and kept the runs down. Anil Virji, bowler of the season, took a wicket, as did William Linger taking his 20th wicket. William has had a fantastic campaign and was Junior of the Season for the club and 4s.

An excellent season for the 4s, half the players were juniors and several older players making fine come backs in their first season for the club. The future looks very promising for OACC.

5th XI
I just wanted to express the sheer delight to even write the title (5th XI) on this report. Last week of the season and 5 teams taking the field. Unbelievable achievement and everyone should be proud. A short report this one. We won.... runs were shared and wickets were too apart from one stand out which we should mention.... Mike Fetters, his first season at the club, 7-0-17-5. Congratulations Mike on your 5 for, not many of these around so what a great performance. Well done.

CLUB AWARDS
The club awards were held after the games and a good crowd attended to watch as they were all handed out. Here are the winners for each award presented.

First saw 26 juniors take to the pavillion steps to receive a club cap. This represented every junior that has played for a senior side this season that started in our junior section. An amazing achievement for all involved.

4th XI - Best bowler - Anil Virji
4th XI - Best batter - Isaac Gow
4th XI - Junior award - William Linger

3rd XI - Best bowler - Karl Turner
3rd XI - Best batter - Matthew Barwick
3rd XI - Junior award - Jake Oliver

2nd XI - Best bowler - Matthew Niel
2nd XI - Best batter - Andy Kemp
2nd XI - junior award - Thomas Yerbury

1st XI - Best bowler - Likith Reddy
1st XI - Best batter - Haseeb Fariad
1st XI - Junior award - Harrison Smith

John Josling Award - fastest 50 1st team - James Barwick (32 balls)
Tyson Bruce Award - highest league batter score in the season - Matthew Barwick (105* - 3s v Shenley)
Most Improved Player Award - Riley Pullan
Mike Thomas Award - best bowling figures - Arshad Iqbal (3s v Wheathamsted)
Maurice Wiggs Award - calculated from season runs, wickets, catches, stumpings - James Barwick
Best Junior Award - William Linger
Best Fielder Award - Matthew Barwick
Club player of the season Award - James Barwick

Ellis Cup - special award to those that go above and beyond behind the scenes of the club - Anil Virji
John Norman Trophy - special chairmans award, handed to a member that has consistently given to the club, achieved many things with the club and always supported and shown great spirit to the club. A very special award indeed. - Tariq Hassan

Here ends the awards and the season.... good bye all, speak soon, watch this space for various items. A new website and app coming soon, plus all the dates for you to put in your diary below.

Saturday 9th Sept - END OF SEASON DISCO - Yes thats right. We are bringing in local DJ sensation, DJ Duane Flames to be on the decks and all requests are welcome. An email will go out shortly after this one but all are welcome - £5 entry for all. Drink, dance, boogy, twist, drink more and sing ya head off.

OCTOBER - TBC - Meet the committee. presentation evening to all members, parents, followers, everyone. Come to the club, express your opinions both good and bad and tell us what we can do more of or what you want to see. We will tell you our plans, finances and what the future looks like to us.

Friday 28th June 2024 - Yes thats right, its nearly a year away !!! However, as was exclusively announced at the quiz. Old Albanian Cricket Club have been chosen to host the International Lashings squad next year at Woollams. Courtney Walsh, Sir Curtley Ambrose, Ryan Sidebottom, Sir Gordon Greenidge, Devon Malcolm but to name a few! More details again will follow but it will be a huge spectacle and big event for the club.

Thank you and goodnight!

OACC Team Secretary