OLICANIAN Sunday XI were forced to make four changes for the visit of Moortown to Denton Road. The return of David Crank and globe-trotter Mark Dexter to the club was a welcome boost to the team.

Bailey lost the toss. but this was incidental as Olicanians were asked to bat first anyway on a fast, dry wicket, under threatening grey clouds which threatened to curtail the match throughout the whole afternoon. With the threat of the weather and the delayed arrival of regular opener Cottle, Bailey opted to open himself along with Blackwell.

Bailey stated his intent from the start with a demonstration of glorious straight and cover driving. Blackwell responded with classical pulling and cutting which put the hostile Moortown new ball attack straight onto the back foot. Bailey was unfortunate to be out with the score on 49, and was quickly followed by Hall - also a victim of Johnson.

Dexter came to the crease and carefully negotiated the bowling; watchful for the opportunity of any run but happy to leave any ball wide of the stumps. After the dynamic start the run rate was not an issue and Dexter and Blackwell were happy to consolidate the innings.

Unfortunately both Blackwell (37) and Dexter (7) were out in consecutive overs with the score on 80. The loss of Blackwell was a significant blow but Cottle took up the mantle of holding the innings together which he did with great application. The free scoring Greer, making his debut, struck the ball sweetly through mid wicket before being bowled for nine, bringing Crank to the crease.

It certainly didn't seem like 18 years since Crank last represented the Olicanians as he immediately picked the pace of the wicket and got the score board moving. With the score on 123 both Cottle and Crank were unfortunate to lose their wicket. This brought Matthew House to the crease with Myatt. Myatt, despite one glorious cover drive played the anchor role, allowing House to capitalise on the fast true wicket.

The demise of House (15) saw the runs dry up with Myatt (11no), Simcox and Taylor (1no) struggling to beat the keen fielding. The Olicanian innings ended on 158-9.

This total was always going to be a struggle to defend on this wicket and it was going to need an excellent fielding performance and good controlled bowling from the younger members of the side to make a win possible.

House opened with impressive hostility, supported by the reliable Crank. House ripped through the top order and finished with 3-17 from his 10 overs, the last wicket being a stunning catch in the slips by Hall.

Simcox came on to support House, displaying excellent line and length. He finished with 4-34, including two running catches from Bailey.

The final three overs saw Moortown needing 21 runs, and a tense finish was guaranteed. Moortown need four from the last ball to tie, a six for victory. A pacy yorker from Hall and enthusiastic appeal for lbw secured an Olicanian victory.

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