Firstly we look at Father Heavey, Mike. The year is 2008 and Mike had just stepped in as our 3rd XI captain and in classic OE's fashion lost the toss and was asked to field in the humid May weather. OE's bowled well and inspired bowling changes from the new skipper meant that Rickmansworth 4's were skittled for 140 off 32 overs. This meant that after tea, the 3s required just 141 off 68 overs as the old format of timed games was still in place. At just over 2 runs needed an over, Mike must have felt that his first game as captain would be a comfortable win; but of course, this wasn't the case. The oppo's opening bowlers caused havoc amongst the Elizabethan ranks as Mike, coming in at 7, suddenly found himself walking out to bat. With 108 runs still required and not much left in the pavilion Mike knew he had to step up and knock off the score pretty much on his own. After seeing himself in Mike then began to accelerate, seizing on anything short and cutting and pulling the ball to the boundary with relative ease. The 3's eventually got to the total off 39 overs, Mike starring with 51* including 8 fours and by doing this potentially giving the best individual performance of any debut captain in OE's history.

We now move on to look at younger brother Matt 'Kappa' Heavey. 2013 is the year and the Herts County Trophy is the competition. After being put into bat the 1s had got off to a reasonable start with the score being at 80 when Kappa walked out to bat at 5. Wickets began to fall around him and with the score at 98-6, OE's began to worry that they'd exit the competition at the quarter final stage after performing so well to get there. Fortunately, Kappa formed a formidable partnership with Nick Jones and put on 99 for the 7th wicket. Kappa's booming cover drives and dominance off his legs were really highlighted in this innings and by the time the innings drew to a close, Kappa remained unbeaten on 90 including 8 fours and 2 humongous sixes over the leg side boundary. Defending 240, OE's never really looked in any sorts of trouble and Northampton Exiles were eventually bowled out 162 meaning that OE' moved into the semi finals. This was of course largely thanks to the man of the match performance by Kappa as without his mature and destructive innings the side may have struggled to get the win.

Last but by no means least, we take a look at the club's most memorable day of its history and an outstanding performance by Jimmy Heavey. After Kappa's performance in the previous round, the 1s now faced Botany Bay, a club in a significantly higher division, in the semi final of the Herts Trophy. After Jimmy lost the toss and was put into field he must of been elated when Botany Bay struggled their way to 27-4. But they eventually began to rebuild and by the end of the 50 overs had managed to muster 194. Opening up with Pabs, Jimmy went about knocking off the total in brutal fashion. Whilst still facing the new cherry Jimmy smashed the ball to the boundary all around the wicket especially straight were he produced many a one bounce four. As he passed his 50, Jimmy looked like he had every shot in the book (Apart from the cut - Please never play the cut J) and when he eventually fell for 84 he walked off to a standing ovation from the OE's faithful. An innings including 16 fours and at a strike rate of 127, Jimmy had led from the front and had left the rest of the boys only needing 80 to book our place in the final. Of course after the mandatory OE's collapse it was left to Dom and Herbie to knock off the remaining 18 runs with only the one wicket remaining. After Dom had put the ball into the farm next door and tied the score it was left to Botany Bay bowler to fire down a wide and cause jubilation on the side-line. OE's had got to the furthest round in the clubs history with thanks to Jimmy who knocked of almost half the total single-handedly!

Next week we take a look at the 3 musketeers who made the travel over the road after Barnet merged with the mighty EEE's : Matt Holland, Nick Jones and Rob Gibson.

#throwbackthursday #comeonyoueees

Written by Charlie Busby