Penn Street vs Old Citizens

Penn Street CC beat Old Citizens CC by 153 runs

Penn Street CC 347-2 (Dave Jones 190*, Pete Jupp 124)

Old Citizens CC 194 all out (Paddy Hatcher 41, David Adams 4-28, Richard O'Hagan 3-56)

Any game against the Old Citizens is always a tremendous one, played in a fantastic spirit and this was no exception. However, it is doubtful that anyone could have predicted what a record-breaking event it would turn out to be.

It was clear that Dave Jones was in the mood for some run scoring when he his first scoring shot nearly decapitated Steve Smith the non-striker’s end on its way to the boundary. Indeed he contributed every one of the 14 runs that had been scored before Steve mistimed a shot and was caught at cover.

Unfortunately for them, that was the last wicket that Old Citizens were to take for the next 325 runs, as Dave and Pete Jupp put on a club record partnership for the second wicket (and, for the avoidance of doubt, any wicket). This was no display of unrestrained slogging, however,. The pair showed solid defensive technique but were absolutely ruthless in punishing any delivery that was not on the mark. In addition, their running between the wicket was exemplary, putting pressure upon the fielders and routinely turning ones into twos.

Ultimately, Pete made his way to a club record equalling century at better than a run a ball and in total struck 17 falls in the 124 that he made before being caught. Dave, by contrast, battered 34 fours and three sixes in a career-best 190 not out, scored off a mere 119 balls. He was unlucky not to make a double century but ran out of overs as Penn Street closed their innings on 347.

Faced with such a daunting target it was to Old Citizens’ credit that they set off in pursuit of it with gusto, the two openers taking every opportunity to attack the opening bowling of Chris Lovewell well and the club secretary, with the latter being wayward even by his standards.

Captain Pete then took up the opportunity to introduce David Adams into the attack and he promptly castled the opposition skipper on his way to picking up four relatively quick wickets. Unfortunately for Jamie Fryer this left the batsmen to take on his bowling at the other end and it took the introduction of David Jones in his place to stem that particular tide. After all, scoring 190 not out doesn’t count for anything when your captain needs and Dave responded by removing the Old Citizens’ number five batsmen as Chris Lovewell held onto an excellent catch in the outfield.

Things quickly got worse for the visitors afterwards as Jonny Barnett came into the attack, with the Old Citizens wicket-keeper slicing a ball he could probably have left straight into the bucket hands of the Welshman. Two balls later another Old Citizens batsmen extraordinarily played over the top of a straight ball and Jonny had two wickets in an over.

At the Wood End the Penn Street captain gambled everything and brought the club secretary back on to bowl. He was well rewarded as Richard for once decided to serve up some straight deliveries on a good length and after bowling the opposition number nine he delivered the season’s most unusual wicket. As he delivered the number 10 batsmen his first ball, the non-striking batsmen shouted out a warning to his teammate. Confused, the batsmen prodded at the ball, missed it and departed for a golden duck. The hat-trick ball was blocked for a scampered single but this just gave an opportunity for the other batsmen to swing at a wide ball and fall to a fantastic tumbling catch from Chris at slip, thus bowling the Old Citizens out for 194.

After the game several glasses were raised, both to the record-setting partnership but also in memory of our old friend, the Old Citizens all-rounder James Gleadow who sadly passed away in 2019.