WAGCC 1st XI v Oxford Downs (@Cokethorpe school) Sat 29th July 2023

With rain last week, and the earth feeling decidedly damp, The WAG turned up to Cokethorpe
School to face off against the strongest team (in my opinion) we have played this year.
The wind was howling across the ground, and there was a particularly strong fire in the bellies of the WAG bowlers after Spenny won the toss and chose to field first.

If I’m honest, I was really only paying attention to my bowling, as running into a headwind really tested my stamina which we all know is pretty poor at the best of times.
In the first over, the opening lefty edged one down the leg side (rather reminiscent of the home fixture). Not the best ball ever but I’ll take it every time I’m the first over.
The no.2 was also a lefty, and he was soon heading back to the shed having faced a ball that swung back and kissed the outside of the off stump.
Harvey bowled the no.3 for 4, and we were feeling confident that today would be our day.
K.Sangha came in at 4 and having edged a few through the slips, tantalisingly topping a ball over JCs head at point, and then pumping a few balls down the ground for 4, Downs were back in the game.
But not for long, as I picked up T.Ling, getting him to edge the ball to Harvey in the slips.
Anand and ‘Magic’ Mikey bowled well second change and got the ball moving with the wind. Magic picked up A.Wildman after he hit a solid 15, and Anand snaffled T.Gould LBW for 2. The pendulum swung again with Sangha still in and now joined by S.Walter who got some handy runs.
I was brought back on, after some usual ‘begging’ and picked up Walker immediately, getting him to edge to Colin. There were 2 other edges as well that were not given…not sure I understand but I guess the club needed me to pay fees today!
I was whacked…bowling into the wind was no fun at all, so Harvey, Anand and Challand was brought on. Wickets were taken! Anand bagged K.Sangha for 63 with Chitty taking a decent catch at long on, Harvey got Z.Wilton to edge behind, and Challand cleaned up with a delicious leg break, bowling P.Bello for 10.

141-all out! The bowlers felt they had done their job… we did well… very well.

But cricket has a way of kicking you when you think you are winning.

I’ll keep this brief, because who wants to relive it…but you can find the score card here for extras. https://wantageandgrove.play-cricket.com/website/results/5880235

Well, Colin chipped a ball to square leg, TPL was given out LBW off the chin…well hip! Spenny pushed the ball gently to mid-off, Chitty was caught to a wonder catch that somehow stuck to mid-off after a last second leap. Challand got bowled to a beauty of an in-swinger… a ball that was repeated a few balls later to remove Ady. Summersbee was also bowled to a in-swinging Yorker and so was Anand. I was caught to a team catch in the slips/gully. Magic got bowled at the other end and Harvey was not out for 8. 70 all out!
Not a good day with the bat! So, I think that is enough of that.
Zac Wilton and the OD bowling line up were too good.

Returning Oxford Downs home ground for a drink, WAG old timers were amazed to see Ted Heap having a bevvy… he remembered Colin…maybe, but had no idea who I was! Clearly, I made a good impression 15 years ago or so. Good times!

[insert awards here]

There it is, we write this one off, and next week crush the Fudge again!!! GREEEEEEEN ARMY!!!!!!!!
Mabbs out!

Pigs: Mikey missing the run out

Champ: will H bowled

MotM: Mabbs