1s vs Kingston Bagpuise 2s – Home – 07/06/25 – Cherwell 5C- WL

After a couple of weeks away from home, we were back in front of the cameras to face Kingston Bagpuize’s 2s.

JC aptly won the toss, and decided to put the visitors in to bat, a sensible decision with the rain around and not really knowing how long the game would last. The pitch was described by many as a “cricket pitch”, so that shouldn’t matter much later in the day.

The decision to bowl first was applauded by most, all but Johny W, who’d apparently forgot his trousers. A quick hunt of the changing rooms found a pair he could wear until his Dad came to the rescue, but they were deemed far too small, so he started fielding in shorts (one of the many Pigs noms for the day).

On to the action, our now normal, sprightly, opening pair of Will H (6-0-19-1) and Chaz (3.1-0-14-1) had the new ball in hand, and both took early wickets. Will H having one of the openers caught by Summs, and Chaz then bowling the #3, sending the bail flying to the boundary. Unfortunately, this was to be Chaz’s last meaningful ball of the day, as the first ball of his next over saw him pull up injured, somewhere (everywhere?) in the leg region. Luckily, Khiz (4.5-0-15-1) stepped up to take over the over, and pretty quickly he had the other opener caught by Johny W (6-1-29-0) (now in trousers).

Kingston then had a little 40 odd partnership, that after a while JCSkippy got bored of so decided to do a run out, Sheraz (8.5-1-41-4) joined in the fun having the other set batter caught by Winston 3 balls later.

This brought the aggressive #6 to the crease, which after 4 of 5 overs, Chaz (standing at slip all day at this point) realised he knew the guy, as he house sits for him. After many, not very funny, jokes about raising prices, or pinching stuff, Will B bowled the lad, so he could go and look after his own house again.

Two for Sheraz in his next over, one unbelievable good stumping by Colin, and one weirdly timed jump by Chaz for a catch, that he then had to take one handed because “I can’t multi task and jump and move both hands at the same time”.

Wickets tumbling now, Will B (2-0-9-2) bowled a youngster and Sheraz got his fourth, with another piece of unbelievable work behind the stumps by Colin, big sweep, ball dollied up in the air, two steps and took the catch, scenes. Kingston finishing on 130 all out from 29.5 overs.

Other things to note from the innings, but I don’t really know where they happened… all of course nominated for Pigs. Will H being nutmegged by the slowest moving ball of all time, and then happily claiming that no one saw it, so it was ok, luckily lots did see it and he won Pigs for it. Maybe he got nutmegged because he needed a wee? Or maybe not, as he’d been for two wees against the tree, in clear view of the new development, something something safeguarding. Finally, a note about JC having a strop, but that happens so regularly apparently, I don’t remember this one specifically.

It rained a bit, so we had to change the target, Simon earning his keep. After some time it stopped, and the target had been adjusted to 124 from 41 overs.

Colin and Khiz to open, they did some batting for a while, then Khiz was bowled (6 off 17). Summs in at 3 was going nicely, until he went for a double play, being dropped in the slips and then run out (15 off 22) from the resulting throw in.

Winston hit a couple of boundaries, and then got stumped by a 13 year old (14 off 15). JCSkippy tried to hit someone into Didcot, and got bowled (1 off 5). This left us 91-4 after 20 overs, Colin not out on 48, and TPL on his way to the middle.

It started raining again, and TPL had no interest in coming off, making light work of the Kingston spinners, hitting a quick fire 23 off 21 balls, to see us home in 26 overs. Colin finished 56 not out from 76 balls, a sensible openers innings we’d been lacking for most of the season.

POTM was Colin for 56* and a stumping. Other nominee was Sheraz for his 4fer.

Vibes was JCSkippy for the run out. Chaz’s bail to the boundary and Sheraz fielding also nominated.

Pigs we’ve covered, rightly won by Will H.

~Colin