Wolvercote 1s (A) – Cherwell League Div 5c

A second successive sunny Saturday saw stand-in skipper successfully shout the spinning silver (sublime use of alliteration there!)

WGCC to bat first.

With confidence brewing and displaying casual fluidity, Mercer stroked the ball to the boundary 4 times in the first over, rather setting high the expectations of the awaiting batters for a high team score. Rob found it tougher going, and despite showing moments of quality, was bowled in the 11th over. Cue the internal debate he had with himself for the next 30 overs about whether to order that deliveroo or not; the burger and beer never materialised. Next in, Bhu prodded around in a supporting role to Colin who was continuing to play with confidence, however the latter fell to a straight delivery for 43. A rather nervous looking Spenny strolled in to bat determined to post his first run of the season. 4 of them came on his second ball and there was an audible sigh of relief. Bhu was next to fall foul to a second successive LBW in as many weeks…this time waiting for the umpire’s decision before leaving the field. Jonny ‘the cat’ came in at 5 and rather rode his luck and although he will admit to being dropped 5 times…by the time the fines were being dished out the number had somehow risen to at least 15…it’ll be in the hundreds by the weekend! Spenny fell for 33 caught driving which brought stand-in skipper, IC, into the middle. Challand and Jonny set about building the foundations for a large partnership (87), before, with 8 overs to go, and with 200 posted on the board, a dramatic collapse ensued. Firstly IC (22) was caught driving, before the very next ball Anand was bowled. Jayesh saw off the hat-trick ball and the remaining deliveries of a double wicket maiden. Jayesh then fell in the next over and some calamitous running between Jonny and Will H saw Harvey run out well short of his ground – despite the desperate dive and cuts on his arms to prove his commitment. Jonny’s luck finally ran out and he was bowled for 70. – the only straight ball of that over. The team had gone from 200-4 to 210-9…in the space of 4.1 overs! A final wicket stand of 11 (only 1 came off bat courtesy of Chief) nearly earned the next batting point, however the damage had been done. 221 all out when Tweeky was bowled. 

Despite the collapse, Wantage felt confident and that 221 was definitely a defendable total. All we had to do was bowl straight and keep it tight to build the pressure. A leg side wide first ball was never the ideal start. With Anand picking up the first wicket and shortly after Chief dismissing the second opener, 35-2 off 11 overs was looking promising. However, in the space of 9 overs the game was completely turned on its head. 104 runs. 71 of them going to the number 4 off very few deliveries before Anand drew a loose shot and an edge to Mercer behind. Any hope was gone as another solid partnership grew with the 4th wicket falling on 207 when IC drew the aerial shot into Spennys hands. Needing just 15 to win stand-in skipper tried to refuse the drinks break on 30 overs, however the team overturned their skippers decision and practically pushed him off the field…the tactical time out worked, much to the delight of the team, as the man on 70 fell first ball after the break when Harvey drew the wild cut shot into the hands of Spenny at point. IC claimed he’d gotten into his head…debatable! The runs were picked up with 12 overs to spare and Wantage were handed a 5 wicket loss. 

Onwards and upwards next week.

MoM – Jonny – somehow scoring 70, although averaging 14 based on the chances put down!

Pigs – Spenny – bowling an awful chest high no-ball which was played onto the stumps and then arguing with the decision not to give it out…

Champagne Moment – Colin’s 16 from the first over – it felt so promising for those 6 balls!

Jonny