Westcott (A) – OCA Div 3

Westcott were an unknown quantity to us, having dropped out of Division Two the previous year, and therefore finished fully 15 places above us in the 'ladder' in 2012. The verdict from Cairns Fudge whom a couple of our players had seen over the week suggested the Westcott team had some hard hitting batsmen who could be very dangerous. This ultimately proved to be an accurate report as we were to discover. First things first though, after negotiating the lengthy journey to Buckinghamshire (despite playing in an Oxfordshire league game - something NiB…continue reading →

Deddington (H) OCA Div 4

The day started well, with promising sunshine and happy Wantage players, the only sour note being Ian mistakenly giving Tim's brother the finger, believing it was TPL himself. That aside spirits were good as Colin again lost the toss and we were sent out to field first. Mabbs had unfortunately forgotten the correct pair of pants, and was forced to wear some genuine budgie smugglers which by all accounts cut most of the blood supply to his nether regions and made him exceedingly uncomfortable. However no such problems were facing Grant and Duncan…continue reading →

Great Horwood (A) – OCA Div 4

An away trip known to us after last year, but in drastically different conditions, we rolled up in the scorching heat and did some early team-building exercises with a football on Great Horwood's unique ground with its characteristic slope and ridge on one side. Colin lost the toss as has become his standard for this year, so we found ourselves batting first again. For the first time in a long while we were entering a match without our standard opening pair, so Colin and Ryan took the job. Colin played some good shots…continue reading →

Fringford (H) – OCA Div 4

Finally our first league game of the season after the inclement weather, although it was still very grey. Colin lost the toss and we were put in for the second week in a row. Eager to see what new challenges Division 4 bowling could bring, Ben and NiBbler resumed their opening partnership for the first time this year. Nick chased a good ball from Bacon early on and edged behind, so it was to Colin and Ben that the job of seeing off some very tight and accurate bowling fell. This they did…continue reading →

Chipping Norton (H) – Telegraph Cup Preliminary Round

Finally a competitive match, even if it was a cup game against an under-strength Chippy side. Fate had dictated that for the third season in a row we would be participating in the preliminary round, and this time in a new cup with some higher quality teams in. It was therefore an early opportunity to get tested by a division three side. Chippy won the toss and made the only sensible decision in the circumstances – asking us to bat on a very damp pitch which could only get drier throughout the day.…continue reading →

Swinbrook (A) – OCA League Div 5

The weather was a bit miserable as we met up at the club for the final league game of the season, although spirits were high as usual as we contemplated the remote possibility of snatching the title from under Cairns Fudge’s nose. This would require a 30 points win and for Fudge to underperform to the tune of less than 7 points. This seemed unlikely. However we got in our usual convoy and headed off to Swinbrook in chirpy mood despite the weather. Moods were dampened slightly by the prospect of the pudding…continue reading →

SSJ Willows – Home – OCA League

The first game of the season, and what a lovely day we had for it! Grey, bleak, threatening and an almost certain forecast for rain, ideal. I'm going to keep this season's match reports a lot shorter than those of last year, there is no need to write 1000 words, hopefully this will encourage more people to get involved with writing them. First toss, a good one to win, so I did. Well, he called wrong, that still counts as me winning in my book! Decision made to bowl first, the best way…continue reading →

Chipping Norton – Home – Steve Dixon Cup

Feeling guiltily lazy after Steve managed to get 2 match reports written in the time it has taken me to write this one. In my defence, I’m umm lazy! Saturday’s game at home vs Chipping Norton was the first round of the Steve Dixon Cup, those who followed the Saturday side last year will remember them beating us with ease twice before going on to win the league. Starting with 10, who would have thought fielding first was a good idea, well me! I won the toss and put them into bat. A…continue reading →

Steventon Home – Saturday

Wantage won the toss and decided to put Steventon in to bat. Opening the bowling were Duncan “Long Dog” Wooloff and Ryan “Pippin” Martin, some early wickets for Pippin dismissed the top order, including a cracking gully catch by the older, gingerer, Zimbo Barry. Catches not quite sticking cost Long Dog a couple of wickets but still finished up with decent figures, one over letting them down, some interesting shots lets say. Replacing the openers were Oliver Taylor and Chaz Boshell, 5 quick wickets between them took the innings away from Steventon. Stewart…continue reading →