The first match of the tour pitted Ovalites against their old friends from Ryde Cavaliers. On a scorching afternoon Ziggy elected to bat on what looked to be a good surface. The innings was given momentum by Dave Cole whose excellently paced innings of 86 set Ovalites up for their eventual score of 215. Good support was received from Bristow (26) and Scott (21) with cameos at the end from Ben Cox, Keene and the skipper.

Ryde Cavaliers were positive from the outset, however in McLeods third over he claimed two scalps including one of Rydes two Australian players. With JR showing more with the ball than he had with the bat and picking up an early wicket, Ovalites were gaining a semblance of control. A good partnership ensued between the fourth wicket pair however the match turned on one sensational catch by JR off the bowling of Packwood who went on to claim three wickets including his 900^th scalp for the club. With Keene brought on to dismiss the tail (3-1 in 2.1 overs) Ovalites ran out easy winners by 84 runs with 4 overs to spare.

Champagne Moment : TWO -  Packers 900^th wicket for the club and JR's magnificent catch which made it all possible.

Tea Watch : 6 out of 10 - workmanlike but nothing more

Setting : 8 out of 10 - Pleasant greenery and an isolated location

PORCHFIELD v SURREY OVALITES                            

Ziggy lost the toss and it was no surprise that Porchfield elected to bat on a surface that many profess to be the best on the island. The opening attack of Cox and McLeod bowled tidily however both openers looked at ease until a run out gave Ovalites the initial breakthrough. Following that dismissal McLeod chipped in with two quick wickets and with Keene picking up a couple as well Porchfield suddenly found themselves at 70-4. The home side had plenty of batting still in the pavilion however and despite some steady bowling and some excellent catches most notably from the excellent Ben Wilkes, they started to amass a respectable score. McLeod, Livett and A Wilkes all picked up a couple of scalps as some big hitting from the home team saw them to a declaration on 192-9.

Ovalites started poorly with the early loss of Livett however the innings was steadied by the in form Scott and the Captain Mierzynski. When the latter was dismissed for 30 there were 19 overs left and the asking rate was 6.5 per over however such was the surface that Ovalites pounded towards victory. Scott was eventually dismissed for a brilliant 86 (a career best for the Ovalites) but Andrew Wilkes with an imperious unbeaten 48 (including a huge and memorable straight 6) saw us home with Dave Cole to a seven wicket success with two overs to spare.

Champagne Moment : TWO : Andrews straight six (it was huge) and Ben Wilkes two magnificent catches

Tea watch : 10 out of 10 - A tea to savour including home made cakes !!!!

Setting : 10 out of 10 - Magnificent

BRADING CC v SURREY OVALITES

Wednesday 4th August

At Brading CC

Ovalites elected to bat first in their annual tussle against Brading and the game took a similar path to recent encounters. On a difficult pitch, Bristow and Evemy gave Ovalites a steady start however wickets fell regularly following the dismissal of the latter and only Bristow with a solid 29 stuck around for any length of time. Some lusty hitting from Langford gave Ovalites hope of reaching 150 however his dismissal led to a collapse with the last four wickets going for as many runs.

Ovalites took to the field in confident mode and with Langford picking up three early wickets the portents were good as Brading slumped to 22-3. A half century stand for the fourth wicket between Ian Hailes and Julian Dorian steadied the ship and despite Howsers imminent dismissal Brading eventually coasted to a six wicket victory with 3 overs to spare.

Champagne moment : Bonnies three wicket burst - it gave us strength !!!

Tea Watch : 9 out of 10 - The usual excellent effort for players and supporters alike.

Setting :  7 out of 10 - i'm gonna start a petition to resurrect Attys hump.

PLESSEY v SURREY OVALITES                                     

Biffa Bristow was captaining the Ovalites for the first time today and what a splendid job he made of it - always positive in the field and never frightened to try something different with his attack. Plesseys total of 170 was built upon solid foundations but despite some late order hitting their score never looked enough. O'Sullivan, Wilkes A, McLeod, Keene and Bristow all bowled with purpose in what was a solid all round effort from Ovalites in the field.

Ovalites set about their task in positive manner with Evemy and Keene scoring at 5 an over. Following the dismissal of Keene and Bunn in quick succession, Evemy was joined in a half century partnership for the fourth wicket. It was however Mierzynski's dismissal for 24 that brought the outstandingly in form Dave Cole to the crease and the match was soon won. Both Evemy (63*) and Cole (55*) never looked in a degree of difficulty as Ovalites eventually sprinted home to win comfortably by 7 wickets with a couple of overs to spare.

Champagne Moment : Dave Evemy's stumping and usual masterclass behind the sticks.

Tea Watch :    10 out of 10 - what more can I say!!!!

Setting :          7 out of 10

RYDE v SURREY OVALITES                                                     

There were some tired limbs that took to the field for this the final game of the tour under the captaincy of Dave Evemy. Ryde with a fairly inexperienced line up made heavy weather of batting first and only the refreshing tactics of Evemy allowed the home team to a par total of 176-9. McLeod again excelled with the ball taking four wickets and was ably assisted by O'Sullivan who chipped in with a couple of wickets.

In reply Ovalites started promisingly with Scott again looking in unstoppable form. Wickets however had started to fall at the other end and when Scott fell for a well structured 48 Ovalites fell apart. Four more wickets fell in the space of just three overs to leave us precariously placed on 85-8. Step forward Simon Bunn and the skipper who played out the last 11 overs and in the process took Ovalites to safety. Bunns eventual score of 30* was his highest score for the club and with the assistance of the skipper Evemy, Ovalites finished on 125-8 and escaped with a draw.

Champagne Moment : TWO - Glen McLeods four wicket burst at the end of a long week and Bunnies belligerent defiance of the Ryde attack.

Tea Watch : Couldn't possibly comment - I didn't see them !!!

Setting : 10 out of 10 - a perfect way to round off a great tour.

ALL REPORTS BY ZIGGY