1st XI
Away to Dorchester the 1’s posted a commanding 244 with 50s for Mark Child, Sahil Jamnadas and Deepak. Dorchester were bowled out for 132 with Tariq taking 2 wickets, but the pick of the bowlers was Amit with 6 for 43. This maintains the 1’s top-of the-table position, on level pegging with East Oxford (who also won… the blighters!)
Second XI
At home to Shipton, the 2’s lost the toss and were asked to bat. After a couple of quick wickets, Darren and Muaz steadied the ship before Darren was caught off a ball of questionable height. Sarosh top scored with 34 but ultimately the 2’s committed the cardinal sin of not batting the overs as Toby was left high and dry at the non-striker’s end with 5 overs remaining and finished with a sub-par 143. We gave Shipton a scare though with some early and wickets and sharp fielding but they got over the line with 3 wickets and 2 overs to spare. I was particularly proud of the way we stuck at it until the very last ball, this is a team with character.
Third XI
The 3’s hosted Deddington 1’s at Kennington and batting first made 193 based around an excellent 85 from Shyju, 40 from Phil Walsh and 22 from Tom Akerman. However, despite using 8 bowlers – great depth – Deddington got home with 8 wickets intact and 2 overs to spare.
Fourth XI
At a picturesque ground set within the Waddesdon Manor estate, the 4s took on Waddesdon 2s in a top of the table clash. The words on everyone’s lips after Yusuf Rahim and Will Turner combined to complete a runout to win the game by 1 run were “WHAT. A. GAME!”. Waddesdon needed 3 runs to win with 10+ overs to go, when Yusuf (4-36) came back for his last over and removed the set batsman with his last ball for a wicket maiden. Having held back Will Turner (2-5) until the death, he held his nerve to complete a stunning runout and a wonderful come-from-behind win whilst cementing our place at the top of the table.
Having earlier lost the toss, our top order found boundaries hard to come by but set a solid foundation after 26 overs (85-1), with Alex Beaumont (34) ably supported by Ben Harkness (23) and Freddie Banks (15). A middle order wobble later saw Will Symington (21*) guide the innings to a successful conclusion, setting the opposition 156 to win. Waddesdon set about the chase like a bullet train (63-0 off 8), only for Yusuf to knock over the openers in quick succession and renew belief amongst the hunting Wolfpack. Miles Bratby (1-19) and Will Sym (2-27) bowled with great control to nudge our noses in front in the 16th over (97-6). From here the opposition skipper steadied the ship and wrestled control back for his side (145-6). Enter Will Turner to deliver the knockout blows and spark wild celebrations.
WHAT. A. GAME!