With the skipper away in deepest Wales with no phone signal for the week preceding the match, VC Willbury stepped up to the plate and ended up with far more admin than necessary - team selection, changes of venue, parking restrictions and organising lift shares! For the man who is always late (even to his home Oxford matches) this was a tall ask, however all 11 arrived (some on time, some late, and much to everyone’s disbelief, Wilbury was 30 minutes early - and didn’t invite any of the team to his ‘team’…continue reading →

This weekends 1st team fixture saw an away trip to Horspath. Confidence was high after a strong performance last week and the knowledge that the previous game against this opposition saw a 203 run victory. Unfortunately, the 'Crucible' appearance of the track and return of additional squad members to the hosts, ensured that the Skipper was preaching caution and a determination to maintain our winning ways.  The Skipper's up and down day started by winning the toss and putting Horspath into bat. With the team talk echoing in our ears, the team started…continue reading →

The rarity of a Saturday match report! So, let’s make it a good one. The 1’s returned to Charlton Road after a torrid 3 weeks. 3 successive heavy defeats, albeit to some of the leagues stronger opposition, had reigned in expectations after the jet-propelled start to the season. After the debacle at Risinghurst a week previous, the order of the day was a competitive, fighting performance, regardless of the end result.   With the wounds of last week’s batting collapse still fresh and his two seam bowling aces back in the pack, there…continue reading →

Welcome to the 2024 league season, and the 1s starting home fixture against Horspath 4s… New season, new captain, same toss result, Chitty losing his first official toss and we were put in to bat. Which I believe is what he was going to do anyway, it’s certainly what he should have been doing. Opening up was Colin, and the newly promoted to opener, Winston. A generally watchful start, Colin getting a couple of boundaries away off his pads, before Winston took a liking to the first change bowler. Unfortunately however, that liking…continue reading →

In cricket's realm at Dorchester's green expanse,Wantage & Grove CC, with willow raised on high,Their batsmen took the stage, a daring dance,Their strokes, like thunder, echoed 'neath the sky. By ten-point-four, their scorecard brightly glowed,Fifty runs adorned, a feat of skillful might,Winston Wiggins, with his blade, a prowess showed,His bat a gleaming sword in midday light. With Chitty's guile and Spencer's steadfast stand,Their partnership, a fortress, tall and strong,Against Dorchester's bowlers' ardent hand,They battled on, their victory a song. Then, amidst the fray, a moment most odd,Mabbs walked out to bat, in a…continue reading →