Match Reports: 2 July 2022

The 1’s hosted Wooton and Boars Hill and batting first got off to a very steady start with openers Mo (28) and Mark (58) denying  firebrand Cam King a wicket in his 13 overs. After rain reduced the overs available, the 1’s picked up the pace spectacularly with 38 from Tohsif in 22 balls and an incredible 64 from 25 balls for Deepak to post a highly competive 225 for 4 (dec) in 37.5 overs. Further rain meant the 1’s only had 28 overs at W&BH, who clung on for a losing draw (71 for 6)  thanks to an obdurate 40 from 79 balls from Nik King. Depite this, the 1’s took 2nd spot in Division 5C from Challow and Childrey by 2 points, great going!

Away in halcyon poppy fields of Sandford St Martin the rain came exactly on schedule at 1pm and delyed the start. However, thanks to excellent covers and huge goodwill on both sides and from the umpire we managed to get a rain-reduced game in. Babbs won the toss and elected to bowl, which made life tricky for opening bowlers Samir and Sarosh in slick conditions but they did well to winkle out both openers. The wet conditions contributed to us dropping the Sandford number 3 four times on his way to 49 before Muaz rather brilliantly ran him out at the non strikers end after stopping a hard straight drive off his own bowling. Usman and Muaz gave us great control to restrict the hosts to 172, including bowling the Sandford number 7 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Taylor_(cricketer,_born_1966). The Wolves innings got off to a spritely start thanks to Ben (17) and birthday boy Potter ((38) runs not years, sadly no more 30 something birthdays for this Wolf) before Darren (78*) offered a masterclass in how to manage a run chase as he and  Sarosh saw us home with 3 balls to spare in a proper tense finish, fantastic game in beautful surroundings with competitive but hightly genial hosts, this is what summer Saturdays were made for!

At home to Oxford 3s, the Third XI batted first and posted a highly creditable 184 based arounnd 72 from Shyju and 64* for Abeer and 27 for Walsh, who was bowled by ex-wolf Simran Singh. Sadly the rain denied the 3’s the chance to defend this total as only 2 overs were possible in the 2nd innings.

Away to Oxford 4s, the Fourth XI bowled first and the hosts racked up 234 in 40 overs, despite a brilliant  4 for 47 from Ben Harkness. The 4’s made 147 in 40 overs, in reply largely thanks to MOM Ben Harkness (87)  and hung on for a draw with 2 wickets in hand to maintain 3rd sport in the table. Great going on a difficult day!