welcome to the octopus cc website
Octopus Cricket club has a proud history stretching back to 1947. The recent past has seen our tentacles spread from the heartlands of Enfield to the salubrious environs of the St Aloysius sports ground, where our vibrant (hungover), multinational collective, spend summer Sundays laughing at each other, lavishing extras onto the opposition total, avoiding tea duty and battling to avoid the dreaded duck trophy.
Although a competitive bunch in our own way, the end of season highlights seldom feature totting up the ton count and 5 wicket hauls (although it does happen); memorable teas, comedy run outs, wickets falling at the hands of fledgling/fogey/female opposition, or the skipper being groped on the metropolitan line by an old lady, tend to stick in the collective conscience longer. See our back catalogue of alternative match reports for context.
Lacking the commitment, ability and wherewithal to join a “proper” team, the hardy sea dwellers are always looking to ensnare new players. A sense of humour and standing your round is seen as a greater virtue than a high elbowed cover drive, although the holy trinity is always sought. Contact Stu Ogilvie
Rained off after 8 overs. Jo and Harsh going nicely on about 40 after Pete got a jaffer first ball. The drizzle came and off they went. Then the heavens opened and the beers started.
An excellent hard fought win with a captain's innings of 54 from Alex the highlight of our 143 before some great fielding and bowling saw them all out 24 runs short.
Comfortable 7 wicket win over West XI at Winchmore Hill as Octopus continued their good recent form - it was our 8th victory in our last 10 matches.
West XI won the toss and batted first on an excellent covered pitch and started well, punishing the bad balls with a boundary. Despite losing their opening (and one of their best) batsman for 7 after a magnificent piece of fielding from Harsh - running him out as he returned for a second with a laser-guided direct hit from third man - West were on 51-2 after 10 overs and a confident looking 104-2 after 20, the other opener having succumbed to a splice into the covers with the score on 49. Our thinking at drinks was that we would take 220/230, given the quality of the pitch.
Then it began to unravel for West. First, their number 3 nicked Gopi's second ball after drinks through to the keeper to give us a crucial break through. Then a few overs later, with the score on 128, their remaining quality batsmen thrashed a long hop from Graham through extra cover where debutant Zack flung himself back and to his left at full stretch to grasp the ball mid air and complete a sensational diving catch. All of us gasped in unison and ran over to congratulate him as the batsman shook his head and returned disconsolately to the pavilion. That catch, following on from the earlier run out, knocked the wind from their batting sails. Some fine bowling and fielding followed - not least from Zack, whose offspin finished with 3 wickets for 8 runs - to wrap up the innings on 179 in the final over.
Miles and Pete opened our response and saw off the accurate opening pair: Miles with customary aplomb; Pete with a little more fortune - as a couple of fours through the slips followed being bowled comprehensively by a no-ball on 7. Miles began to play fluently as the pair upped the ante and kept the run rate ticking over before Lamplough leading-edged the first of a phalanx of slow bowlers to extra cover for 45 with the score on 77. Pete now had his eye in and with Harsh at the other end the runs began to flow. The hoik/slap/swat/heave through mid-wicket was particularly profitable for Hayward, who soon brought up his 50, as hard running from both batsman put the pressure on and induced several mistakes in the field. The game all but won, both batsmen fell before the end having put on 85 for the 2nd wicket, with Pete falling lbw to a pie for 74. In came Gopi to smash the winning runs with Joe by his side and leave us all enough time for a post-match beer.
H.O.B's were put to the sword in our 2nd Twenty20 of the week. After being
put into bat we racked up 177. Gill top scoring with 61no, Alex 40 and
Gopi 47 doing the damage. H.O.B's in reply came up 36 short. However it
was the rather splendid tea that will live longest in the memory. Top
Scones!
A narrow and exciting win yesterday by 4 runs in the club's first ever Twenty20. Harsh got us off to a great start and all who batted scored at a strike rate of 100 or more as we notched up a very competitive 170, having had by far the best of the light as clouds drew in. 15 off the last over was the highlight as first Joe then JB punished their returning opening bowler.
Butler and Ogilvie then opened the bowling with aplomb and at 33-3 in the 7th over we looked to have the game all but wrapped up. However a partnership of 86 for the 4th wicket full of 1s, 2s and 3s gave Beamers a sniff and, from needing 98 off the last 10, a couple of poor overs late on saw them within reach and needing to match our 15 off the final over to win. Visibility was now exceedingly dim and we were required to roll the ball in gently to avoid adding to an already careless over-throw tally, however Gopi kept his nerve with the ball and with 6 needed off the last ball they could only scamper a single to confirm our victory. An excellent Twenty20 debut for Octopus'.
Thanks to a very short boundary on one side and in perticular one outstanding individual performance, Octopus clocked up what we believe to be two new records yesterday, highest team score and highest individual score.
Having won the toss and playing a man short, Harsh elected to bat and nominated debutant Joe Reid (brother of Sam) to open the batting. 39.3 overs later we were all out, the scoreboard reading an impressive 373. This was largely due to a career best 209 from Joe. Harsh continued his great run of form with 72, and Miles notching 35 at about a run a ball.
Tight opening bowling from Graham and guest from Strollers, Spencer, saw N.Enfield off to a slow start and dispite batting out their 40 overs they finish 159 short.
A great victory. Octopus were set 194 to win and knocked off the total with 11 overs to spare. Harsh (95) and Gopi (38*) both in thunderous form. A good display in the field as well with 6 catches.
A great rear guard effort by George and Stew to almost salvage victory for the Octopus following a dismal batting performance from the top and middle order. We bowled and fielded really well to restrict Crouch End CC to 142.
A very close 9 run loss and a great finish though with the final wicket falling with 15 balls remaining.
Octopus made it two wins in a row on Sunday. Hendon won the toss and decided to have a bat. The Octopus opening pair of Will and Sam took advantage of the bouncy wicket and soon had the home side reduced to 9/3. Mike Nicholas in his second match for the tentacled ones bowled well and should have had an early reward.
Hendon middle order men Mitcheson and Hague added 83 valuable runs for the 4th wicket - helped by the usual Octopus generosity in the extras column (43!) The partnership was finally broken with the score on 92 when Gopi snared Mitcheson caught in the outfield by Winter and the same combo accounted for Hauge a few overs later. The end was fairly swift with Nicholas, Hodge and Reid's accurate bowling. Nicholas grabbed a deserved wicket and Hodge finished with outstanding figures of 4-15 of 6.5 overs. A fine performance in the field from Octopus was capped off with Bett's diving catch to finish the innings on 154.
The opening pair of Will and Gopi moved swiftly to 26 in reply, before Hodge departed for 24. Hendon opening bowler Lee found his line and proved metronomic with a spell of 7 overs, 5 maiden 1 for 7! He was well supported by the pacy Mitcheson who removed Octopus number three Hayward for 2. 35/2 and a famous Octopus collapso was looming. However, on the this day it was not to be! Charlie Rix and Gopi watchfully saw off Hendon's openers and then set about the chase with some poise. After a scratchy beginning Charlie suddenly found his form with a series of brutal cover drives while Gopi dropped anchor with the aim of batting the innings and a partnership of 97 resulted! When Charlie departed for a well earned 56 only 35 were needed. Cameos from Hindle (10) and Sam (4no) combined with Gopi's watchfulness (46no) saw Octopus comfortably home with 3 overs to spare. A good day in the sun and another mark in the win column - well played fellas!
A fantastic match with our perennial friendly rivals Hoopers. Scoring 206 runs each from 40 overs the match was tied and the trophy shared. Few thought that this years game would match the drama of last season's epic - that saw a boundary catch in the last over secure a 7 run victory for Octopus - but we were all wrong: it surpassed it.
Octopus batted extremely well after losing the toss. A magnificent unbeaten Joshi/Winter partnership of 140 providing the meat of the total of 206-3.
Batting second in pursuit of 207 for victory Hoopers had started briskly, but slowed to lose their top 3 before the score had reached 50 and at drinks had only 65 on the board. Hodge had claimed two of those wickets with a fine spell of seam and swing bowling.
Straight after drinks Hoopers took control as Willis at 4 and in particular Couldrey at 5 began dispatching the ball mightily and frequently to the boundary. With their partnership on 117, Willis fell to a classic case of S*** Ball Took Wicket as Hayward's full toss found a way through. New comer Avery went second ball but with Couldrey still at the crease a target of 22 runs from the final 30 balls appeared a racing certainty, as a nervous watching pack willed Hoopers on from the sideline. For once Couldrey's immaculate timing deserted him and a lofted drive went high to mid off where Webber held on comfortably. With two new batsman at the crease the target dropped to 18 from 18, then 13 from 12 and then 10 from 6 for victory as Winter lined up the final over.
An inside edge off the first ball for 2 built momentum and bat hit ball thereafter as Octopus marshalled their field. Another two to deep midwicket and three scampered singles made it 7 from the over with a ball to go. Three to win, two to tie. Winter bowled it nicely on a full length but MaCardie kept his nerve and a solid strike to long off and a sprinted double that tied the game.
Honours even then. Cricket the winner.
A battling display from a determined Octopus side ultimately came up 45 runs short on a humid day at HQ. Winter captaining the side for the first time won the toss and as planned inserted the oppo on the 'variable' St Aloysius pitch. The plan had been hatched with the prospect of having the twin fast bowling talents of Dempsey and Reid to rough up the oppo and keep the runs down but when a hangover got the best of Dempsey and he didn't show it didn't look so sound.
However, Octopus pulled together and fielded with energy and enthusiasm to support all five bowlers including part-timers Pete, Ingram and Gopi who all bowled their full compliment in addition to Sam and Graham as the more regular Octopus attack. Great boundary fielding from Charlie, Pete Hilton (who held a good catch) and Rob Hayward (upgraded from spectator to the playing XI) turned several potential boundaries into singles and Andy marshalled the infield well to 'restrict' Highgate to 216 off 35.
217 was always going to be a big ask for an Octopus side sporting an unusually long tail. Pete gave us a wonderful platform by carrying his bat for 75no with a combination of circumspect defence and aggressive stroke play but the rest of the team were unfortunately not quite able to match his efforts. Rix got a start for 18 and Winter contributed a hard hit 30 before holing out. The middle and lower order came and went before a late form, logic and expectation defying and boundary laden 23 of 14 balls from Hilton gave the scorecard some respectability. Stew Satterly bravely batted despite needing a runner to allow Pete to add a few more runs for the 10th wicket but we came up 45 short in the end.
Sun, sea, sand, sun burn, boat, beer, BBQ, banging head, La pomada, larger, Latitude and a large loss!
A BIG thanks to all at the M.C.C.
A Superb weekend, massive thanks to Pete for pulling it all together. Special thanks Will & Sam for the local knowledge and especially their parents for the BBQ, boat, beers and hospitality.
Having lost the toss and being asked to bowl, Octopus produced a great display in the field. Tight bowling from Will, Sam, Graham, Ed, Matt, Si and guest from the oppo Sri, restricted Calthorpe to 177 from their 40 overs. Graham produced the 1st kodak moment with his direct hit run-out with just one stump to aim at and produced a fine 8 over spell that truly deserved several wickets but got none. Charlie made some excellent saves and returns to a terminally hung-over George behind the stumps.
Will and Pete then produced a solid opening partnership, Pete going on to make fifty and onwards to a belligerent 76. With only 2 wickets down and Pete and Ed scoring freely, the game looked to be ours. Sadly it was not to be. Pete and Ed fell in successive overs and an Octopuso collapso followed (popular term from the old days). Andy dollied a waste high full toss back to their young spinner, Sri, Sam and Matt fell in quick succession and the duck trophy winners Si and Graham were left looking for an improbable 21 off the last 3 overs for the final wicket. It was not to be, Si out caught looping the ball high to cover.
A disappointing defeat, but a very good performance in the field and good batting from Pete, Ed and Will.
Calthorpe as ever proved excellent hosts and sporting opposition. Onwards and upwards, Viva Menorca !
A damp squib as we toiled in the rain. Bohemians made 211-7 on a tight pitch with extras making up a fifth of their total! Then rain fell and became too much to bear in the end. Debuts for Ed, George and Charlie (albeit for the oppo).
Still, the afternoon took a turn for the better with us retreating to the pub to watch England spank the Aussies and lift the Twenty20 World Cup.
We won by 91 runs. Bowling out the oppo for 103. Alex smashed a careeer high 68 (pictured), Miles a 1hr 38, 45 and Kye piled in with 4 wickets. Some tight bowling, patient batting (We were 60-3 at 20 overs) and some class catches won the day. And knowlsie's peerless carrying of drinks.
A 6 wickets defeat to a talented Enfield team. With two batsmen short (Will and Miles being two large batting gaps for us) we ground our way to 98 all out in the 27 over. Promising partnerships we're formed between Alex and Gopi, and then Harsh and Stu. But these we're cut short as wickets feel reguarly. A 50 from someone and it could have been a different outcome.
Ingram and Hilton have raced into the duck trophy lead with some gold plated run-free batting with Andy at least lasting 4 balls for his round number.
Dempsey the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets, the first an instinctive catch at midwicket by Peter Hilton, the second a juggled caught behind by Alex and the third a skied top edge claimed by the bowler himself. 11th hour 11th man Mike claimed the 4th, with some classic seam movement beheading the batters off stump.
The fielding was better than it should have been for April, so a fair few positives from the foreshortened 2010 curtain raiser.
A Grey day in September, in more ways than one. Roll on next season.
A bit of a spanking! Having been put in by the hungover opposition the tone was set early on as Miles was run out in the first over. The two very handy Penn Street openers ran through the top order and bowling straight through, the openers took the scalps of Miles, Harsh, Pete and Knowles. The first change pair were if anything better! Stu and Andy didn’t last long and Graham was in long enough to realise on the short walk back to the pub/pavilion that he was now # 1 in line for the duck trophy. Bay and Si then put on an excellent show and a face saving 71. 3 generations of Ingrams looked on, no doubt assuming it was like this every week! Bay eventually fell for 42 and a quick cameo from Kye saw us post 143. Penn St. got off to a flyer and a stunning catch at backward point by Miles from Sam’s rough stuff was the only early highlight. A great run out, snaring the return from his own bowling by Kye and the de rigueur Ingram dismissal were the only other wickets to fall as Penn knocked off the runs for the loss of only 3 wickets.
A narrow defeat against a bunch of technically gifted Chalfont youngsters, who rallied at 100-5 to make 192-6 and win with 5 balls to spare. A short and young Beevor hooking the ball so cleanly and powerfully worth a special mention. Pete H carried his bat to score a magnificent P.B. of 78 not out in our 191-7. Supported by contributions from Miles and Jules and a fantastic 15 ball 33 from Sam, who has now scored 78 runs for once out this season. Bowling highlight went to Graham with a magnificent googly to which their bewildered no. 4 shouldered arms and was bowled, in clear expectation of another rasping leg break!! Brilliant stuff.
Victory was enjoyed versus Maccabi Association London. Losing the toss and bowling first we kept them to 142 all out in the final over on a very small pitch. 3 wickets for Ingram, two catches for Braham a swirling catch in the deep from Marsh to see off their big hitting captain and a Knowles/JB run out the highlights. A maiden 50 (53 from 32 balls) from Stu (pictured) at #1 spot and a dismissive smash of 65no (36 balls!) from the skipper did most of the damage with JB smiting a few for 16 no. We we're sipping the beer after 16.5 overs for only the loss of 3 wickets.
Milk, trigger fingered umpiring, excited running, the pitch, bad batting, the negative influence of England at Headingly, hangovers, no hangovers, the length of the grass and the stress of making the tea were all imaginative excuses used in an awful start for the Octopus. At 37 for 7 (seven) a beer match was in prospect before JB, suffering from a rare strain of Aussie whine flu got us out of jail with a thumping 47, ably supported by a wristy marsh, with the pair putting on over 60 for the 8th wicket. An odds defying partnership of 15 from duck trophy battlers Ingram and Braham saw a hope inducing 122 on the board. The CECC opener was soon back with his pals as JB struck in the first over, soon followed by the no 3 as Braham hung on to a one handed blinder at forward short leg that was all instinct. 2 in two balls from Marsh, including the stumping of a severely hung-over batsmen who need help taking a guard saw Octopus back in with a shout. Alas, only two more wickets fell as the CECC keeper (dropped on 0!) went onto to make a match winning 50. A great rearguard performance with the bat and a strong showing in the field were not enough to mask the poor form of the top 7.
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A good performance in the field gave us a chance of defending 114. Limiting Jaguar to 66-5 in reply at one stage. Ultimately not enough runs on the board against some fine swing bowling seeing the us go down by 6 wickets.
Good win against an old foe. A solid, (if unspectacular!) start from Mr James (25) and Mr Hodge (66) built the platform. On a very slow pitch and outfield Harsh (66no) and Stu (32no) piled on 77 for the 7th wicket in the last 9 overs to get us to 229-6
Everyone contributed with either bat or ball with Hindle and Ingram bagging 3 wickets apiece with Sam, Rocky, Graham and Stu picking up the rest. A terrific bootlace catch from Pete at shortish cover and Sam’s one handed reaction snatch at silly point the highlights in the field. On a bad day for the gloveman, Alex’s stumping was a brief shinning light in a drizzly day of mouthguard muttering from behind the stumps. Si wrapped up the 99 run victory in the penultimate over to get us out of the heavy drizzle.
match pics (rollover) Harsh | Stu
Well Im not dumb but I cant understand
Why she spoke like a woman but text like a man
Oh my lola lo-lo-lo-lo lola lo-lo-lo-lo lola
tour pics (rollover) “go away big men” | Fake Fredie |
Hulk-o-mania, Evil Dreams? | JB |
A great performance by all the bowlers, 4 wickets for Sam, a miserly spell from Hindle and great stuff from Kirk on debut and Matt D, Julian, Pete and Si. Almost flawless in the field from everybody and some excellent catches.
Sadly not so good on the batting. Knowlesy got a pearler before he got his eye in and the pace of their opener did for Capt. Andy. A great knock came from Alex (pictured) and good efforts from Pete and Matt H. For once Ingram actually moved his feet and looked like a batsman. Then Matt D came in and tore into their bowling. For a moment we dared to dream. Ok so we lost, but lots of positives to take into next weeks clash in the west.
Man of the match goes to Matt D for his bowling, superb diving slip catch and direct hit run out and thanks to Kirk for turning out at short notice.
A great win! A fabulous bowling performance and aggressive field settings saw a Sam inspired (44 no) 118 all out defended manfully, with the be-tentacled ones winning by 65 runs.
match pics (rollover) We can do this! | Captain O get the first
Winter takes the catch |
A horrible, humid, error strew performance in the field with the most lopsided boundary ever witnessed. We kept them below 300 by 6 runs! Then it rained.
Then Knowlsie, in the most extreme example of average protection imaginable, retired hurt and had to be whisked away to A&E (see pic) with a drum and base inspired heart beat, topping out at 206. He’s was O.K. and did manfully try and discharge himself to get back to the action. JB hit a very impressive 59 and hats off to AJ for a personal best 43 in our collapsible 170 ao (from 139-3)
(rollover) 206bpm No Out
A disappointing result for us against Chalfont. We let them off the hook a bit, letting them get 201 and of our top 5 only miles got into double figures (49). With their openers soaking up our share of luck with edges flying here, there and everywhere (mostly to the very short boundary). In the end we came up about 39 short. On the upside all but 3 got a bowl and everyone got a bat, getting to the 40 over conclusion 9 down.
A second wicket partnership of 137 from Miles (66) and Gopi (80) put us well on the way to our highest score of the season. A half century from Harsh (53) and Stu's 22no meant the Highgate batsmen needed 247 to win.
This wasn't going to be made easier for them with Sam steaming in to removed their openers leg stump with the first ball of the innings and Avery opening the bowling at the other end taking 3 wickets early on. A good partnership from Dekeller (55) and Maby (31) kept the scoreboard ticking over until Pete struck to remove Dekeller and 3 more batmen in a four over spell. The match ended in 32nd over with Stu leaping high at silly point to take a one handed catch. This left enough time for a quick trip to the pub to see England beat India by 3 runs much to the captains disappointment.
match pics (rollover) Miles | Gopi gets his 50 |
Gopi (80) | Pete (4o 11r 4w). 1st wicket |
Best game of the season so far with the Aloysius All Stars winning it in the final over with a superb running take on the boundary from Knowles. We set Hoopers a total of 200 to chase on a fairly flat, dry wicket. top 7 all played their part with Hayward (39) top scoring and anchoring the middle order when the collapsed could of befallen us. After tea a couple of quick wickets from Ogilvie was the only early highlight as No. 4 Nabarro smashed a century before Hodge removed the danger man lbw. Needing 32 runs off 48 balls with 6 wickets in hand Hodge and Knowles produced some great bowling and wickets finally started to tumble until the last one was taken leaving Hoopers 8 short of victory with 5 balls to spare.
match pics (rollover) Not Out!? | Knowles | Ogilvie |
Hayward | Victory! |
It was hot and the sun was shining, summer had arrived as we took to the field at the Calthorpe ground. Fielding first tight bowling from Butler and especially Ogilvie (8o, 13r) kept the run rate nicely in check. The Marsh spin sent 4 batmen back to the pavilion, but the Crouch End batsmen weren’t going to throw their wickets away cheaply and after 40 hot overs in the field the target was set at 189. Andy and Miles (scoring 58 on debut) got the score into the 50’s before Andy lost his wicket, bringing Rocky to the crease in his final innings before his move to Brum. 28 balls later he retired on 51, signing off with a 6 into the sightscreen, leaving Harsh (38) and Simon K (26) to finish the job.
match pics (rollover) Rocky I | Miles | Rocky II |
Captain Rocky’s decision on whether to bat or bowl wasn’t required as we lost the toss and 9 octopi took to the field. The Hornsey openers we’re soon sending the ball to boundary with regularity. Thankfully late arrivals Gopi and Julian completed the 11 and Julian (4-46) soon made inroads into the top order. However a solid middle order made sure Hornsey finished on 268 – 7 from 40 overs.
In reply Rocky got off to his usual brisk start smashing one beautiful six over the rope until falling to an inswinger on 39. Gopi in his first match of the season held the innings together with a crafted 35 and a gritty 18 from Andy made sure Octopus survived 36.3 overs.
match pics (rollover) Gopi | Out! for the count | Rocky |
Octopus Cricket club has a proud history stretching back to 1947. The recent past has seen our tentacles spread from the heartlands of Enfield to the salubrious environs of the St Aloysius sports ground, where our vibrant (hungover), multinational collective, spend summer Sundays laughing at each other, lavishing extras onto the opposition total, avoiding tea duty and battling to avoid the dreaded duck trophy.
Although a competitive bunch in our own way, the end of season highlights seldom feature totting up the ton count and 5 wicket hauls (although it does happen); memorable teas, comedy run outs, wickets falling at the hands of fledgling/fogey/female opposition, or the skipper being groped on the metropolitan line by an old lady, tend to stick in the collective conscience longer. See our back catalogue of alternative match reports for context.
Lacking the commitment, ability and wherewithal to join a “proper” team, the hardy sea dwellers are always looking to ensnare new players. A sense of humour and standing your round is seen as a greater virtue than a high elbowed cover drive, although the holy trinity is always sought. Contact Stu Ogilvie
2010 results | P20 | W10 | L6 | T1 | NR3 |
| Penn St. CC vs Octopus CC - 29th August.
No Result |
| Maccabi Association London vs Octopus CC - 22nd August.
Octopus won by 7 wickets |
| West XI vs Octopus CC - 15th August.
Octopus won by 7 wickets |
West XI won the toss and batted first on an excellent covered pitch and started well, punishing the bad balls with a boundary. Despite losing their opening (and one of their best) batsman for 7 after a magnificent piece of fielding from Harsh - running him out as he returned for a second with a laser-guided direct hit from third man - West were on 51-2 after 10 overs and a confident looking 104-2 after 20, the other opener having succumbed to a splice into the covers with the score on 49. Our thinking at drinks was that we would take 220/230, given the quality of the pitch.
Then it began to unravel for West. First, their number 3 nicked Gopi's second ball after drinks through to the keeper to give us a crucial break through. Then a few overs later, with the score on 128, their remaining quality batsmen thrashed a long hop from Graham through extra cover where debutant Zack flung himself back and to his left at full stretch to grasp the ball mid air and complete a sensational diving catch. All of us gasped in unison and ran over to congratulate him as the batsman shook his head and returned disconsolately to the pavilion. That catch, following on from the earlier run out, knocked the wind from their batting sails. Some fine bowling and fielding followed - not least from Zack, whose offspin finished with 3 wickets for 8 runs - to wrap up the innings on 179 in the final over.
Miles and Pete opened our response and saw off the accurate opening pair: Miles with customary aplomb; Pete with a little more fortune - as a couple of fours through the slips followed being bowled comprehensively by a no-ball on 7. Miles began to play fluently as the pair upped the ante and kept the run rate ticking over before Lamplough leading-edged the first of a phalanx of slow bowlers to extra cover for 45 with the score on 77. Pete now had his eye in and with Harsh at the other end the runs began to flow. The hoik/slap/swat/heave through mid-wicket was particularly profitable for Hayward, who soon brought up his 50, as hard running from both batsman put the pressure on and induced several mistakes in the field. The game all but won, both batsmen fell before the end having put on 85 for the 2nd wicket, with Pete falling lbw to a pie for 74. In came Gopi to smash the winning runs with Joe by his side and leave us all enough time for a post-match beer.
| Octopus CC vs Henleaze Old Boys - 8th August.
Octopus won by 36 runs |
| Octopus CC vs Henleaze Old Boys - 7th August.
No Result. Match Abandoned due to heavy downpour. |
| Beamers vs Octopus CC - 3th August.
Octopus win by 4 runs |
Butler and Ogilvie then opened the bowling with aplomb and at 33-3 in the 7th over we looked to have the game all but wrapped up. However a partnership of 86 for the 4th wicket full of 1s, 2s and 3s gave Beamers a sniff and, from needing 98 off the last 10, a couple of poor overs late on saw them within reach and needing to match our 15 off the final over to win. Visibility was now exceedingly dim and we were required to roll the ball in gently to avoid adding to an already careless over-throw tally, however Gopi kept his nerve with the ball and with 6 needed off the last ball they could only scamper a single to confirm our victory. An excellent Twenty20 debut for Octopus'.
| North Enfield vs Octopus CC - 1st August.
Octopus win by 159 runs |
Having won the toss and playing a man short, Harsh elected to bat and nominated debutant Joe Reid (brother of Sam) to open the batting. 39.3 overs later we were all out, the scoreboard reading an impressive 373. This was largely due to a career best 209 from Joe. Harsh continued his great run of form with 72, and Miles notching 35 at about a run a ball.
Tight opening bowling from Graham and guest from Strollers, Spencer, saw N.Enfield off to a slow start and dispite batting out their 40 overs they finish 159 short.
| Octopus vs Holtwhites 2nd XI - 25th July.
Octopus win by 72 runs |
| Highgate CC vs Octopus - 18th July.
Octopus won by 7 wickets |
| Octopus vs Crouch End CC - 11th July.
Octopus lost by 9 runs |
| Hendon St. Mary's CC vs Octopus - 4th July.
Octopus won by 6 wickets |
The opening pair of Will and Gopi moved swiftly to 26 in reply, before Hodge departed for 24. Hendon opening bowler Lee found his line and proved metronomic with a spell of 7 overs, 5 maiden 1 for 7! He was well supported by the pacy Mitcheson who removed Octopus number three Hayward for 2. 35/2 and a famous Octopus collapso was looming. However, on the this day it was not to be! Charlie Rix and Gopi watchfully saw off Hendon's openers and then set about the chase with some poise. After a scratchy beginning Charlie suddenly found his form with a series of brutal cover drives while Gopi dropped anchor with the aim of batting the innings and a partnership of 97 resulted! When Charlie departed for a well earned 56 only 35 were needed. Cameos from Hindle (10) and Sam (4no) combined with Gopi's watchfulness (46no) saw Octopus comfortably home with 3 overs to spare. A good day in the sun and another mark in the win column - well played fellas!
| Holtwhites 2nd XI vs Octopus - 20th June.
Octopus won by 10 runs |
| Octopus CC vs Hoopers - 13th June.
Match Tied 206 run each |
Octopus batted extremely well after losing the toss. A magnificent unbeaten Joshi/Winter partnership of 140 providing the meat of the total of 206-3.
Batting second in pursuit of 207 for victory Hoopers had started briskly, but slowed to lose their top 3 before the score had reached 50 and at drinks had only 65 on the board. Hodge had claimed two of those wickets with a fine spell of seam and swing bowling.
Straight after drinks Hoopers took control as Willis at 4 and in particular Couldrey at 5 began dispatching the ball mightily and frequently to the boundary. With their partnership on 117, Willis fell to a classic case of S*** Ball Took Wicket as Hayward's full toss found a way through. New comer Avery went second ball but with Couldrey still at the crease a target of 22 runs from the final 30 balls appeared a racing certainty, as a nervous watching pack willed Hoopers on from the sideline. For once Couldrey's immaculate timing deserted him and a lofted drive went high to mid off where Webber held on comfortably. With two new batsman at the crease the target dropped to 18 from 18, then 13 from 12 and then 10 from 6 for victory as Winter lined up the final over.
An inside edge off the first ball for 2 built momentum and bat hit ball thereafter as Octopus marshalled their field. Another two to deep midwicket and three scampered singles made it 7 from the over with a ball to go. Three to win, two to tie. Winter bowled it nicely on a full length but MaCardie kept his nerve and a solid strike to long off and a sprinted double that tied the game.
Honours even then. Cricket the winner.
| Octopus CC vs Highgate CC - 6th June.
Octopus Lost by 45 runs |
However, Octopus pulled together and fielded with energy and enthusiasm to support all five bowlers including part-timers Pete, Ingram and Gopi who all bowled their full compliment in addition to Sam and Graham as the more regular Octopus attack. Great boundary fielding from Charlie, Pete Hilton (who held a good catch) and Rob Hayward (upgraded from spectator to the playing XI) turned several potential boundaries into singles and Andy marshalled the infield well to 'restrict' Highgate to 216 off 35.
217 was always going to be a big ask for an Octopus side sporting an unusually long tail. Pete gave us a wonderful platform by carrying his bat for 75no with a combination of circumspect defence and aggressive stroke play but the rest of the team were unfortunately not quite able to match his efforts. Rix got a start for 18 and Winter contributed a hard hit 30 before holing out. The middle and lower order came and went before a late form, logic and expectation defying and boundary laden 23 of 14 balls from Hilton gave the scorecard some respectability. Stew Satterly bravely batted despite needing a runner to allow Pete to add a few more runs for the 10th wicket but we came up 45 short in the end.
| Menorca CC v Octopus CC - 30th May.
Octopus Lost by 133 runs |
Sun, sea, sand, sun burn, boat, beer, BBQ, banging head, La pomada, larger, Latitude and a large loss!
A BIG thanks to all at the M.C.C.
| Menorca CC v Octopus CC - 29th May.
Octopus Lost by 8 wickets |
A Superb weekend, massive thanks to Pete for pulling it all together. Special thanks Will & Sam for the local knowledge and especially their parents for the BBQ, boat, beers and hospitality.
| Crouch End CC v Octopus CC - 23rd May.
Octopus Lost by 16 runs |
Will and Pete then produced a solid opening partnership, Pete going on to make fifty and onwards to a belligerent 76. With only 2 wickets down and Pete and Ed scoring freely, the game looked to be ours. Sadly it was not to be. Pete and Ed fell in successive overs and an Octopuso collapso followed (popular term from the old days). Andy dollied a waste high full toss back to their young spinner, Sri, Sam and Matt fell in quick succession and the duck trophy winners Si and Graham were left looking for an improbable 21 off the last 3 overs for the final wicket. It was not to be, Si out caught looping the ball high to cover.
A disappointing defeat, but a very good performance in the field and good batting from Pete, Ed and Will.
Calthorpe as ever proved excellent hosts and sporting opposition. Onwards and upwards, Viva Menorca !
| Octopus CC v Bohemians - 16th May.
No Result |
Still, the afternoon took a turn for the better with us retreating to the pub to watch England spank the Aussies and lift the Twenty20 World Cup.
| Octopus CC v Hackney Marshes CC - 9th May.
Octopus won by 91 runs. |
| Enfield CC. v Octopus CC - 25th April.
Octopus lost by 6 wickets. |
Ingram and Hilton have raced into the duck trophy lead with some gold plated run-free batting with Andy at least lasting 4 balls for his round number.
Dempsey the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets, the first an instinctive catch at midwicket by Peter Hilton, the second a juggled caught behind by Alex and the third a skied top edge claimed by the bowler himself. 11th hour 11th man Mike claimed the 4th, with some classic seam movement beheading the batters off stump.
The fielding was better than it should have been for April, so a fair few positives from the foreshortened 2010 curtain raiser.
| 2009 end of season results | P18 | W7 | L11 | |
| Finchley CC. v Octopus CC - 13th September.
Octopus lost by 9 wickets. |
| Boyne Hill CC Sunday 2nd XI v Octopus CC - 6th September.
Octopus won by 5 wickets. |
| Penn St. v Octopus CC - 1st September.
Octopus lost by 7 wickets. |
| Octopus CC v Chalfont St. Peter - 23rd August.
Octopus lost by 4 wickets. |
| M.A.L CC vs Octopus CC - 16th August.
Octopus won by 8 wickets. |
| Octopus CC vs Crouch End CC - 9th August.
Octopus CC lost by 5 wickets. |
| Jaguar CC vs Octopus CC - 2nd August.
Octopus lost by 6 wickets |
| Octopus CC v North Enfield - 26th July 2009
Octopus won by 99 runs |
Everyone contributed with either bat or ball with Hindle and Ingram bagging 3 wickets apiece with Sam, Rocky, Graham and Stu picking up the rest. A terrific bootlace catch from Pete at shortish cover and Sam’s one handed reaction snatch at silly point the highlights in the field. On a bad day for the gloveman, Alex’s stumping was a brief shinning light in a drizzly day of mouthguard muttering from behind the stumps. Si wrapped up the 99 run victory in the penultimate over to get us out of the heavy drizzle.
match pics (rollover) Harsh | Stu
| Henleaze Old Boys (Bristol Tour) - 17th - 19th July.
Rained Off |
Why she spoke like a woman but text like a man
Oh my lola lo-lo-lo-lo lola lo-lo-lo-lo lola
tour pics (rollover) “go away big men” | Fake Fredie |
Hulk-o-mania, Evil Dreams? | JB |
| Ploughmans CC (H) - 12th July.
Octopus lost by 33 runs |
Sadly not so good on the batting. Knowlesy got a pearler before he got his eye in and the pace of their opener did for Capt. Andy. A great knock came from Alex (pictured) and good efforts from Pete and Matt H. For once Ingram actually moved his feet and looked like a batsman. Then Matt D came in and tore into their bowling. For a moment we dared to dream. Ok so we lost, but lots of positives to take into next weeks clash in the west.
Man of the match goes to Matt D for his bowling, superb diving slip catch and direct hit run out and thanks to Kirk for turning out at short notice.
| Alexandra Park CC (A) - 5th July.
Octopus won by 56 runs |
match pics (rollover) We can do this! | Captain O get the first
Winter takes the catch |
| West XI CC (@Hornsey) - 29th June.
Octopus lost by 123 runs |
Then Knowlsie, in the most extreme example of average protection imaginable, retired hurt and had to be whisked away to A&E (see pic) with a drum and base inspired heart beat, topping out at 206. He’s was O.K. and did manfully try and discharge himself to get back to the action. JB hit a very impressive 59 and hats off to AJ for a personal best 43 in our collapsible 170 ao (from 139-3)
(rollover) 206bpm No Out
| Chalfont St. Peter CC (Away) - 21st June.
Octopus lost by 38 runs |
| Highgate CC (Home) - 14th June.
Octopus won by 107 runs |
match pics (rollover) Miles | Gopi gets his 50 |
Gopi (80) | Pete (4o 11r 4w). 1st wicket |
| Holtwhites CC (Away) - 7th June.
Cancelled due to waterlogged pitch. |
| Hoopers CC (Home) - 31st May.
Octopus won by 7 runs. |
match pics (rollover) Not Out!? | Knowles | Ogilvie |
Hayward | Victory! |
| Crouch End CC (Away at Calthorpe) - 24th May.
Octopus won by 8 wickets. |
match pics (rollover) Rocky I | Miles | Rocky II |
| Hornsey (@ Hornsey) - 17th May.
Hornsey CC won by 137 runs. |
In reply Rocky got off to his usual brisk start smashing one beautiful six over the rope until falling to an inswinger on 39. Gopi in his first match of the season held the innings together with a crafted 35 and a gritty 18 from Andy made sure Octopus survived 36.3 overs.
match pics (rollover) Gopi | Out! for the count | Rocky |
| Warners End v Octopus CC - 10th May.
Octopus won by 6 wickets. |
| Octopus CC v Holtwhites 1st - 3rd May.
Holtwhites won by 7 wickets. |
| Enfield CC v Octopus CC - 25th April.
Enfield CC won by 73 runs. |
latest news
21/7 - Have added link to new photos in 2010 season.
19/7 - Have updated averages and scorecards for 2010 season.
19/7 - Have final Menorca Pics to Flickr.
Menorca Day 5 HERE
Menorca Evening 5 HERE
Menorca Day 6 HERE
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