Oughtibridge War Memorial Sports Club, England, United Kingdom
Another day and it was back to the outskirts of Sheffield in South Yorkshire and into the foothills of the Peak District. We were playing three miles away from Low Bradfield in the village of Oughtibridge, pronounced in South Yorkshire as Oootibridge.
The Oughtibridge War Memorial Sports Club was founded after World War One when a local land owner donated land to the village to found a sports club, in memory of those locals who lost their lives in the Great War. The ground is held in a trust and both a cricket club and football club play there.
It is a beautiful setting in a valley with a river running by. In 2007, the ground was swamped by the huge deadly floods that hit this part of Yorkshire. It took a year before the ground was able to be cleaned up and used again. The force of the floods was so tremendous that the club's roller was recovered five miles down the valley.
The roads into Oughtibridge were narrow and into the ground even narrower, however our coach driver managed to negotiate the narrow lane-way and deliver us to the clubhouse and save us a bit of a walk. We were warmly welcomed by Chris the club manager and the players.
The ground looked in good condition with a canopy of trees dominating the far side of the ground, but the day was overcast, breezy and with a forecast maximum of 17 degrees it was cold when we arrived. The WAM WAGS were all rugged up for winter, not an English Summers day. Why didn't we organise an official WAM puffy jacket for the WAGs?
Skip once again negotiated the match conditions with the Oughtibridge captain, who then won the toss and somewhat reluctantly elected to bat.
Oughtibridge is the first multicultural team we have played on tour. A couple of South Asian locals opened the batting and attacked the bowling and the fielders with relish, playing tip and run as well as advancing down the pitch and hitting out. A monster score was looming. Cranky (0/31) and Stinky (1/26) opened the bowling and took some stick, but Stinky got the first wicket when the Cougar took a well judged catch at mid on.
The Cougar, however, did not enjoy the same success when replacing Cranky. The young batsmen found the Cougar had withdrawn his claws and clobbered him for 45 runs in three overs, including 4 huge sixes. At one stage it looked like the Cougar would break the WAM record for most sixes hit in an innings, but the record remains with the batsman who memorably hit 5 sixes in an innings.
The Pigeon (1/5) on the other hand, relishing the use of an older ball kept the run rate down, by bowling two maidens in his four over spell and claiming a rare LBW. A couple of Oughtibridge retirements at 35, and the resulting introduction of new batsmen combined with the Duke (0/12) and the Major (1/12) joining the attack, saw the run rate slip from 7.
5 runs an over after 10 overs, down to 6 runs an over after 25 overs.
Murray (0/31) bowled quick but erratic, while from the other end the Virgin (3/24) made a stunning bowling debut with his looping inswingers being hit in the air and then being caught by Pigeon, Catto and Murray. Murray dragged in another catch later on in a fine fielding display. Three wickets on bowling debut for the Virgin, another first.
Catto (2/21) and Skipper (2/16) polished off the tail and the returning retirees to have Oughtibridge all out for 234 off 39 overs.
Afternoon tea was splendid, equal with Bradfield but a little behind the Sprotbrough afternoon tea, but they know how to put on an afternoon tea in South Yorkshire.
The Virgin (35*) and the Duke (35*) opened the batting and were just as aggressive as the Oughtibridge openers, although the WAMs relied on power, placement and poise as opposed to running to score quickly. Both retired on 35, and the WAMs were on their way with 87 runs on the board after 10 overs. Murray (23) and Cranky (35*) kept the runs flowing and we lost our first wicket at 119.
Pup came and went without troubling the scorers to record a pair on tour, while I made a brisk 17 before being given out LBW off my glove. Not happy.
Then we had the Chopper show. Chopper hit 4 sixes and 2 fours in blasting a very rapid 35 before retiring to the relief of the Oughtibridge players. For the second time in the game the WAM record for most sixes in an innings was threatened to be equalled, but the record remains with a batsman who hit 5 sixes in an innings. In India, under lights, if my memory serves me right...
Chopper's blast, reduced the run rate required to less than four an over. Skip (6), Stinky (18), the Cougar (11), Pigeon (1*) and the Major (5*) who hit the winning boundary, ensured we cantered home to victory in the 38th over. A victory in Yorkshire. We were "as 'appy as a pig in muck".
Despite the cool weather our victory was witnessed by a couple of the Bradfield players, who had come along after work for a pint and to watch the game, and a number of locals were watching as well. We were becoming well known in these parts!
A few photos and then it was drinks, dinner and presentations.
The Cricket Australia Official Sandpaper Award got an appreciative laugh for the 3rd time, as did Skip forgetting everyone's name at the presentations.
The Cougar had a bit of turn, either from an aggravated groin injury triggered by the Major's aggressive running between the wickets or from the realisation he had gone for 45 runs off 3 overs, or maybe a bit of both. When asked what happened, the Cougar replied "Aarghh!"
Dinner was the South Yorkshire staple, Pie with Mushy Peas, Roast Potato and Gravy, which made a change to barbecues and curries.
After the hour long trip back into Leeds, all 12 players including a revitalised Cougar, gathered in the bar at the Ibis for some more celebratory drinks to a victory well earnt.
2025-05-22