An away match, for a change, and a long-ish trip to Bicester led us to Chesterton, sitting 3rd in the table, but promising a very competitive game. Having already beaten their under-strength team in the cup, we were wary that they had some first team regulars back in the team. Their top 4 batsmen in particular looked strong, judging by the internet research that some members of the team had undertaken. This proved correct, as after winning the toss and bowling, we were dispatched comprehensively for 6 an over for the first ten…continue reading →

Some dodgy recent weather led us to believe that a full game looked unlikely, with showers promised throughout and a thunderstorm due between 6 and 7pm in the evening. Regardless, we managed to get started on time, with a bit of swirling rain greeting us for the first few overs, but that was about as bad as the weather got until 8pm that evening. Ryan and Duncan opened the bowling, both keeping an incredibly tight line, forcing the batsmen to wear a few on their bodies, and poke unconvincingly at some stuff outside…continue reading →

After another good cup win our next opponents were the positively titled Brill. A side who had an identical league record to us, with 3 wins, and 1 loss to Cairns Fudge. After a difficult selection week for Colin, with 17 people available, we eventually lined up with a strong XI, hoping that the weather would hold out for a full game. Colin lost the toss (time to retire the “lucky” coin) and we were put in. Our usual opening partnership took to the field against some accurate bowling from Kavanagh and Green,…continue reading →

A return to home turf saw the return of some decent weather as we contested the second round of the Steve Dixon cup. Our visitors were Chesterton, flying high in the League but short of several first team regulars for this match.   The opposition captain called wrongly at the toss, so Colin elected to bat on a typically good-looking Wantage track in the middle of the square. NiB and Benjy opened the batting against the bustling seam bowling of Price and the mixture of very straight deliveries interspersed with off cutters from…continue reading →

After last week's defeat, we were keen to get the show back on the road. And on the road we went, all the way to that well-known part of Oxfordshire that lies between Buckingham and Milton Keynes. Eight hardy souls met at the home of cricket, including Colin, who had to trek down from Oxford because he'd forgotten to collect a match ball. Barry took Chaz, Mongo and almost everyone else's kit, while Grant, NiB and Timmy were shoehorned into the back of Colin's Astra while Duncan stretched his legs at the front.…continue reading →

And so to intriguingly named Cairns Fudge (y’know, Chris Cairns… and fudge!) who we recognised as one of the leading teams in the division after their fourth placed finish last season. So when Colin won the toss and put them in, we were feeling confident when we had them 15 for 3, Duncan taking 3 good wickets, including a catch behind, a catch to gully and one that slipped through to take middle stump. The Fudge fourth wicket partnership though, began to dominate, and Small played some powerful shots through square cover, using…continue reading →