Author: Paul Ford

Saturday 10th June Sanford St Martin vs Charlbury

Paul Ford

Epic Jambo scripts incredible scenes at Sandford

Sandford won the toss, and predictably chose to bat first on a really hot June afternoon. The conditions looked pristine and the Cees were well aware of the hard work that awaited them. Skipper MJ and Jambo found some early assistance and troubled the Sandford batters in the early exchanges. However, things quickly settled down and the Sandford skipper – Steven Dobson and Thomas Hill punished anything remotely loose. The pitch played true and the outfield lightning fast meant skipper MJ and the Cees had more than a little cause for concern. The introduction of spin with Bim introduced a sense of calm to proceedings, but wickets were in short supply.

At the first drinks break, Sandford were 91 for none off 17 overs. Even the introduction of the leading bowler in the league in Jake Godders, or the extra pace of Matt D didn’t stem the flow of runs. MJ was running out of options, and turned to himself for a second spell. He found some luck straight away, with MD taking a good catch on the long on boundary. A few overs later, Bim got Tom Hill to do the same and hole out at Long on to Jambo. Sandford were 157 for 2 off 34 and still in a great position to reach a commanding 270+ total. But the Cees were not done fighting and really dug deep to keep prizing out Sandford wickets. Matt D got 2 quick wickets in his 2nd spell to inject some hope to the away side.

MJ returned for a 3rd and final spell. He picked up another wicket with the first ball of his new spell, and when Bim cleaned up the big hitting Imran Younis, the Cees knew they were right back in the game. Between MJ and Jambo they closed out the Sandford innings in a hurry. Despite some resistance from the last pair, Sandford were bowled out for 230 in the 53rd over. MJ ended up with wonderful figures of 5 for 41.

Sandford as expected, came out all guns blazing with the ball. Armed with the quickest bowler in the league, and a sudden change in overhead conditions, they set about trying to make it hard work for the CCC batters. Beano was the first to depart, caught at covers for 1. David was looking promising with a couple of early boundaries, but was cleaned up by the experienced Mark Robey. Martin ‘Bean’ David, playing only his 2nd 1st team game for CCC, was calm and re-assuring. Between him and Jambo, they set about building a partnership to get the Cees back into the game. CCC reached 53 for 2 off 17 overs, and 100 for 2 off 30.

The 231 winning target seemed a long way away with only 17 overs remaining. But runs started to flow quicker and you could sense the urgency of the Cees batters. Martin David was out for an invaluable 53 – his maiden Cees 50. CCC were 120 for 3 off 35 when Big Matt Lyver joined his good mate and kept the momentum flowing. At the 40 over mark, CCC were 157 for 3. The immediate target seemed to be the 205 for a winning draw. Young J Bush was prowling the edge of the boundary line, and no one dared telling him that a draw was fine. Jambo was striking the ball well and was well past his 50 by now. But he had bigger fish to fry. 

A few good overs meant that CCC were 183 for 3 at 44 overs. 3 overs to go, the smart money was on the winning draw number of 205. Jambo had other ideas in the next over as he plundered 15 runs off it. 198 for 3 with 2 overs to go. Winning draw almost at hand. Big Matt hit the first ball of over number 46 for a boundary, but was run out off the next.

Bushy walked out like a man on a mission. He went 4,4 and a huge 6 off his first 3 balls against one of the best death bowlers in the league in Younis. A hard run 3 off the last ball meant his strike rate ‘dropped’ to an insignificant 425! An incredible 21 runs off the penultimate over got the Cees dreaming.

12 off 6 to get, with Bushy on strike and Jambo on a monumental 91 not out at the other end. A dot ball first up! 12 off 5. A scampered single off the next left Jambo on strike with 11 off 4 to get. Next went down the ground, and 2 runs ensued. 9 off 3 needed. Jambo smacked the next ball for 4 to move to 99! The Cees on the sidelines were getting slightly excited – (look up delirium!). 5 off 2 needed. The next ball was edged behind the keeper to bring the scores to a tie. Jambo had reached his 100, but didn’t even bother looking at his mates who were shouting their throats hoarse. The rapid Tom Goffe charged in for the last ball of the epic encounter. Cees needed 1 to win.  It was predictably short, and Jambo got a good connection to it. The whole ground thought that was the win. Imran Younis was hovering around short 3rd man. He’s not the tallest guy, and this should clear him comfortably. But no, he stuck a left mitt out, and the ball sticks for a great catch! A barely believable tied draw!

An incredible 103 from Jambo took the Cees to an inch from a barely believable win. However, the Cees walked away with a well-deserved haul of 20 points and touching distance from being top of the league. Tune in next time!

Fantasy League 2022

Paul Ford

Back by popular demand. Charlbury Cricket Club is proud to announce the details for this seasons Fantasy League. All you need to do is follow this link Fantasy League 2022 – Charlbury Cricket Club to find the rules of the competition and then at the bottom of the page are the files containing the player values (determined by your performances from last season) and an entry form to write your team on. 

You can either e-mail me your team (and I will collect the entrance fee when I see you) or hand it in at the club (probably best to do that at the bar so it doesn’t get lost) and at the end of the season we will see who is the best at selecting a winning side.

Sat 1st Sept Charlbury 2nd vs Long Marston 3rd

Paul Ford

Charlbury 2nd 201-6 (45 overs)

Richard Nash 59

Martyn Scull 54 not out

 

Long Marston 3rd 182-5 (45 overs)

Alex Bush 3-32

 

The last game of the season and Charlbury travelled all of the way to Long Marston. Charlbury won the toss and elected to bat first and so Richard and Michael opened the batting. Both batsmen started confidently pushing a few singles around to get the scoreboard moving. It took the Marston bowlers a couple of overs to get their lines and lengths right, but when they did its started to make run scoring more difficult. Richard pushed one delivery thru the covers and the ball shot away for four over the quick outfield. Michael was batting confidently pushing a few singles around, but also always looking to defend the many good deliveries coming his way. Richard looked in top form from the off, stroking the ball around on both sides of the wicket, but also looking to defend when necessary. Michael hit one delivery to the boundary and then next over Richard did likewise. Then disaster struck as Michael miss-hit one and was caught meaning Ben had to come to the wicket. Ben had not been well and so started slowly, just defending the ball to make sure he did not get out. Richard was just pushing the ball around for singles. A change in the bowling was then made as one of the opening bowlers came out of the attack. The new bowler dropped straight into a great line and length and made run scoring awkward. A couple of overs later another change was made as the other opening bowler left the attack and a new bowler entered it. Early on Ben missed one and was bowled meaning that Martyn had to come to the wicket. Martyn started slowly, just looking for the odd single. Richard now started to attack more and found another couple of boundaries. Another change in the bowling was then made as the first change bowler left the attack and a new bowler entered it. Both players now began to play a few more shots and the score started to rise. The hundred mark was passed and with just under half the overs left Charlbury were looking to set a good score. The overs ticked by with both batsmen pushing ones and twos around to keep the score moving along. Richard pushed another single and reached a well deserved fifty. As the overs were now beginning to run out both batsmen began to run harder and take a few more risks. Another change in the bowling was made as another new bowler entered the attack. Another quick run was called, but disaster struck as a direct hit saw Richard just run out for a great 59. Abi now joined Martyn at the wicket. Martyn hit a boundary four as did Abi as the Charlbury score started to mount quickly. Then the new bowler hit a patch of form. First he had Abi caught after she edged one. Dean now arrived at the crease, but was not there too long as he tried to hit out at one, but hi the ball straight to a fielder and was caught. Andy now came to the wicket. Andy was quickly off the mark with a four as Charlbury pushed hard in the last few overs. Andy then missed one as he tried to force the runs and was bowled meaning Alex had to come to the crease as anew bowler entered the attack. Alex attacked hard from the off throwing the bat and finding an early four before pushing a couple of singles. Martyn ran another single and he reached a maiden half century for the second team. Some hard running in the last couple of overs saw Charlbury reach 201-6.

 

Now it was over to the bowlers and so Emilia and Andy opened the bowling and got Charlbury off to a great start. Both bowlers settled into a great line and length from the off, getting the ball to move a round a bit and making both the batsmen play and miss. Emilia got the early breakthrough when she found the edge of the bat and wicket-keeper Abi did the rest with a good catch. Hardly a run scored in the first six overs and Charlbury were in charge, Marston were going to have to bat well if they were to win. Emilia had settled into a great line and length and bowled four maidens in her opening spell which put Marston well behind the required rate. Andy too bowled a great opening spell, hardly giving any runs away. After 13 overs a change in the bowling was made as Andy left the attack and Dean entered it. Dean dropped instantly into a great line and length and with some turn and bounce made run scoring hard. Slowly the runs started to come as the batsmen pushed a few singles around. The outfield was still quick and a couple of fours were hit, despite some valiant fielding to try and stop them. After eighteen overs another change was made as Emilia left the attack and Mark entered it to try and weave some magic. Charlbury now had two spinners on and although they were getting thru the overs they just could not get the wickets. Then they got a bonus when one batsman ran and the other was slow away, the ball was quickly fielded and thrown in to the keeper and the bails were whipped off for the run out. The batsmen were just content to push a few singles around and then see if they were close later in the game. The opening batsman was stubborn, just pushing a few singles around and making sure Marston were not bowled out cheaply. Mark came out of the attack and Emilia re-entered it as Charlbury continued to search for wickets. Dean was bowling a fabulous spell, getting the batsmen to play and miss, but just could not find the edge or take the wicket he deserved. Dean left the attack after finishing his nine overs and so Ben entered it. Try as Charlbury might they just could not get a wicket. Andy, the captain, then took Emilia off and brought Alex on. Marston were getting closer to victory, but the overs were starting to run out quickly so the required rate was still going up. Alex made a quick impact on the game when he clean bowled one batsman, Charlbury had their breakthrough. Marston now looked like they would settle for the draw as they started to play more defensively. Ben left the attack and Emilia re-entered it to see if she could add to her wickets. Then Charlbury had a big over as first Alex clean bowled the new batsman, and then before the over was out he clean bowled his replacement. Not enough overs left to bowl Marston out and try as they might Long Marston held out to reach 182-5.

 

A great season for the second team, winning their league 54 points. Now I hope you have enjoyed reading these match reports this season and will come back over the winter to find out how the club gets on in the Banbury Indoor League.

 

Charlbury 3rd 15 points

 

Sat 1st Sept Charlbury vs Abingdon Vale 2nd

Paul Ford

Charlbury 267-8 (50 overs)

Stuart Atkins 86

Charlie Sinton 60

 

Abingdon Vale 2nd 145 (35.1 overs)

Jake Godfrey 3-18

Charlie Sinton 4-17

 

Abingdon Vale won the toss and elected to field first. The two Toms, Nash and Harris, opened the batting for Charlbury and got them off to a reasonable start. Tom Harris got things moving when he stroked a couple of deliveries to the boundary for four. The outfield was fairly quick and the ball would fly off towards the boundary if it beat the infield. A no-ball was bowled and Tom Nash made the most of a free hit by hammering the ball back passed the bowler for four. After eight overs Charlbury were 25-0. Both batsmen were playing a cautious game against some tight bowling, both playing defensively when needed, but also looking for the quick single. After ten overs a change in the bowling was made and this had an instant impact as Tom Nash missed the first delivery and was bowled. Graham now strode to the crease. Graham was quickly off the mark, hitting one shot over the top for a one bounce four. Another change in the bowling was made as the other opening bowler left the attack and a new one entered it. Graham hammered an early boundary off of the new bowler to try and put some pressure onto the fielding side. Then disaster struck as first Graham miss-timed one and hit the ball high into the air and was caught. Then two balls later Tom edged one to the keeper and was caught leaving Charlbury 43-3 off of 16 overs. Ben and Ashley had now entered the fray. Ben was quickly off of the mark when he drove the ball for four. Ashley got off the mark next over when he pushed the ball to the boundary before Ben finished the over with another four. Both batsmen were playing well and it looked like Charlbury were getting back into the game. In the 20th over Ashley launched one back over the bowler’s head and the ball hit the middle of the side-screen for a six. Then disaster struck as Ben edged one and was caught by the keeper. Bimalka now came to the crease. The two bowlers slowly settled into a better length and line and started to make run scoring slightly harder so both batsmen contented themselves with pushing a few singles around. Then Ashley edged one and he too was caught by the wicket-keeper leaving Charlbury 77-5 off of 24 overs. Stuart now came to the crease. Stuart was quickly off of the mark with a couple of fours. Bimalka was batting cautiously, trying to make sure Charlbury did not lose any more wickets. A change in the bowling was then made. Bimalka edged one off of the new bowler to slip and was caught meaning Charlie had to come to the crease. Charlbury still had many more overs to bat and were still some way off a defendable target. Charlie was quickly away with a boundary four. Stuart was looking good at the crease, always on the lookout for a single, but also punishing anything loose. Another change in the bowling was made as a new bowler entered the attack. Charlbury attacked the new bowler from the off hitting him for several fours and so after two overs he left the attack and a new bowler came on. Charlie was busy at the wicket, constantly on the lookout for the single, but also playing defensively when needed. Charlie hit a couple of fours prompting another change in the bowling as one of the opening bowlers returned to the attack. Stuart attacked the returning opening bowler, hitting him for a couple of fours before Charlie finished the over off with another boundary. Charlbury were now flying along as they reached 183-7 off of 41 overs. Stuart then launched a massive six out of the ground before pushing a single to take him to a well deserved fifty. Next over Charlie pushed a single and he too reached a well deserved fifty. The overs were now running out fast and so Charlbury had to start attacking harder. The hundred partnership was brought up as both batsmen continued to press hard. Stuart then hit back to back fours as Charlbury started to really push on. Next over and the partnership was broken as Charlie missed one and was bowled for a great 60. Matt now entered the fray and just tried to give the strike to Stuart. Next over and the other opening bowler re-entered the attack. Matt hit the returning bowler for four before Stuart finished the over off with another massive six. The first change bowler then had to come on for the 49th over as the other opening bowler had finished his spell. Matt launched into the returning bowler, powerfully pulling three consecutive boundary fours. Last over and Stuart tries to hit a six, but is caught on the boundary for a fantastic 86. Some hard running in the last couple of balls took Charlbury to an impressive 267-8.

 

Charlbury would have to bowl well as it seemed to be a good wicket. Matt and Stuart opened the bowling. The outfield was still quick and a couple of shots broke thru the infield and shot off to the boundary. Matt quickly dropped into a good line and length and started to cause a few problems for the batsmen. Stuart took a couple of overs to find his length and line, but when he did he started to make life awkward, using his pace and bounce to cause problems. After eight overs Abingdon had reached 33-0. One batsman was dominating the strike and he was also doing the bulk of the scoring, Charlbury were going to need him out quickly if they were to stay in the game. A couple more boundaries were hit and both batsmen were looking fairly comfortable. Then in the twelfth over Stuart got one to swing back in, the batsman left it and was bowled, Charlbury had the man they wanted. Chasing a big total meant that the batsmen had to keep on trying to go for it just to keep up with the required rate. After 14 overs a change in the bowling was made as Matt left the attack and Bimalka entered it. Bimalka was quickly into a good length and line, finding some turn which made run scoring slightly more difficult. After 20 overs Abingdon had reached 91-1 and were still looking in a good position to make an assault on their target. A change in the bowling was now made as Jake came on for Stuart. Jake dropped straight into an immaculate length and line and the batsmen found him almost impossible to get away. In his third over Jake got the breakthru as he wrapped one batsman on the pads and he was given out adjudged LBW. Next over things got even better for Charlbury as the new batsman tried to hit Bimalka for six, but could only find Tom Nash on the boundary and he took a great catch leaving Abingdon 113-3 off of 25 overs. A double change in the bowling was now made as Charlie came on for Jake, who changed ends replacing Bimalka. The change made an instant impact as the new batsman miss-hit one off of Charlie and the ball flew up on the leg-side and Bimalka took a good catch. In his next over the new batsman hit one high in the air and again Bimalka took the catch. Jake then got amongst the wickets as he clean bowled the new batsman, leaving Abingdon 122-6 off of 29 overs. Abingdon had really collapsed and Charlbury were now going for the kill. The two Abingdon batsman just tried to see off a few overs, with the opening batsman now playing more attacking shots. The score started rise, but then Charlbury got a massive bonus. The batsmen took a single off of Jake, Ashley threw at the stumps and missed, the ball was then miss-fielded and the batsmen went for the second, Bimalka quickly recovered the ball and threw it Steve who executed the run out. The game was all but over now as in the next over Charlie found the edge and the ball flew to first slip where Ben took a good catch. Next over Jake found the edge and Steve took a good catch behind the stumps leaving Abingdon nine wickets down. It was all over first ball of the next over as Charlie wrapped a batsman on the pads and he was given out adjudged LBW and Abingdon Vale were 145 all out.

 

A great win for the lads built on a club record seventh wicket partnership of 126 between Stuart and Charlie and then Jake and Charlie ran thru the Abingdon innings to seal victory and sixth place in Division 4 – well played lads.

 

Charlbury 25 points

Sat 25th Aug Charlbury vs Long Marston 2nd

Paul Ford

Charlbury 252-7 (45 overs)

Ben Forrester 46

Bimalka Liyanarachchi 58

Stuart Atkins 40 not out

Barry Nutt 30 not out

 

Long Marston 2nd 128 (35.5 overs)

Bimalka Liyanarachchi 4-19

Jake Godfrey 3-30

 

Long Marston won the toss and elected to bowl first. Tom and Rob opened the batting and got Charlbury off to a reasonable start. A no-ball was bowled in the first over meaning there was a free hit. Tom took a stride forward and smashed the ball back passed the bowler for four. Both batsmen then pushed the ball around for twos and threes on the huge outfield. Then disaster struck as Rob was wrapped on the pads and given out adjudged LBW. Ajit now came to the crease. Bot h Long Marston bowlers had now settled into a great line and length and both batsmen were struggling to get the ball away for any runs. In the eighth over Ajit edged one and was caught at first slip to leave Charlbury 26-2. Ben now strode to the crease. Tom was batting very cautiously, pushing the odd single around, but mainly playing defensively against some good bowling. Ben started more aggressively, getting off the mark with a hard run three before in the next over hitting back to back fours. After eleven overs a change in the bowling was made and Long Marston brought on a new bowler. The new bowler quickly dropped into a good length and line. Ben pulled a delivery into the leg-side and the ball quickly flew to the boundary for four. Then disaster struck as Tom missed on and was bowled leaving Charlbury 46-3 off of 18 overs. Graham now entered the fray. Ben was looking good as he stroked the ball around on both sides of the wicket, always on the lookout for a run, but playing defensively when needed. Some rain began to fall and the players had to leave the ground, on the resumption the game had been reduced to 48 overs a side. Ben then crashed two more boundaries thru the off side as Charlbury started to try and accelerate the innings. Graham lofted the ball back over the bowler’s head and to the boundary for four, then next ball flicked one leg side for another boundary. Next ball Graham tried to repeat the act, but got a leading edge and the ball flew high into the air and the bowler took the catch. The captain, Bimalka, now came to the wicket. Ben cracked another couple of lovely shots and on each occasion the ball flew to the boundary for four. A change in the bowling was now made as the opening bowler had finished his allotted overs and a new bowler entered the attack. Ben drove the new bowler to the boundary for four, but then late on in the over he missed one and was bowled for a good 46. Charlie now strode to the crease. A couple of overs later a new bowler entered the attack replacing the first change bowler. The new bowler was a spinner and in his first over Bimalka hit him to the boundary for four. After 27 overs Charlbury had reached 127-5 and now needed to push on hard if they were to set a defendable total. Both players ran hard for every run and Charlie hit a couple of fours to keep the score moving along at a good rate. Bimalka was looking good, playing defensively at first just to get himself in before looking to attack. Then disaster struck as Charlie was wrapped ion the pads and given out adjudged LBW. Before new batsman Stuart could face a ball down came the rain and the players left the field once again. On the resumption the game had been reduced to 47 overs a side. Now with the overs running out fast Charlbury had to try and put their foot down. A change of bowling was made as one of the opening bowlers returned to the attack. Both batsmen took a couple of overs to get going. Then Bimalka pulled one to the leg-side and the ball flew all the way over the boundary for six. Stuart was looking comfortable at the wicket, pushing a few ones and twos around and trying to give Bimalka the strike. Then Bimalka hit out, running hard for twos and threes whilst also hitting a couple of fours off of one over to take Charlbury to 174-6 off of 37 overs. Next over Bimalka pushed a two and went to a well deserved fifty. A change in the bowling was then made as the opening bowler left the attack and the Long Marston captain brought himself on. Then disaster struck as Bimalka miss-hit one straight at a fielder and he was caught meaning Barry now came to the crease. Both players ran hard and both found a boundary four before yet more rain came with Charlbury 212-7 off of 42 overs. An early tea was had and on the resumption the game was reduced to 45 overs a side. The last three overs were carnage  with both batsmen running hard for everything, Stuart hit a couple of fours and the score raced along. Then came the last over. A couple of singles were pushed leaving Barry on strike. Barry leant into one shot and the ball flew out of the ground and into a neighbouring field for a massive six. A boundary four soon followed before last ball of the innings another massive six was hit meaning Charlbury had hit 40 runs in the last three overs taking them to 252-7.

 

Matt and Stuart opened the bowling for Charlbury and got them off to a reasonable start. Matt was quickly into a great line and length and caused a few problems for the batsmen. Stuart did not quite find as good a line, but when he did he managed to rush the batsmen and get them playing and missing. The fielders backed the bowlers up from the off, diving around to stop the ball and chasing everything to the boundary. Then Charlbury got a bonus when the non-striker called for a run and the striker hesitated. Rob quickly fielded the ball and threw it in to Matt who executed the run out. Charlbury were bowling well and making sure that the batsmen had to work hard for every one of their runs. After ten overs Long Marston had reached 46-1. A double change in the bowling was then made as Bimalka came on for Stuart and then an over later Jake replaced Matt. Both bowlers immediately dropped into great lines and lengths and made run scoring very difficult. In Bimalka’s second over Charlbury got a big wicket when the Long Marston captain lofted the ball into the deep, but could not clear Charlie who took a great catch. Then Charlbury had a big three over spell. First the other opening batsman tried to hit out at Bimalka, but just hit the ball high into the air and Stuart stood at long-on took a good catch. Next over Jake came to the party and clean bowled one batsman and then in the next over Bimalka bowled a batsman leaving Long Marston 74-5 off of 20 overs. Charlbury were in the driving seat and kept the pressure on, keeping close fielders in. The batsmen now contented themselves with pushing the ball around for the odd run or boundary while trying to make sure no more wickets were lost. Then Bimalka finally broke thru one batsman’s defences and bowled him. After 28 overs Long Marston were 100-6 and Bimalka had just finished his great nine over spell. Jake now bowled his last over and it was a great one. First he bowled a slower one, deceived the batsman and bowled him and then two balls later he clean bowled the new batsman, Charlbury were nearly there. Stuart now entered the fray in place of Bimalka and Charlie came on for Jake. Both bowlers kept up the pressure on the batsmen. In his second over back Stuart was too quick for one batsman and bowled him. The last couple of batsmen put on a few runs, but when the last man missed one from Charlie he was bowled and Charlbury had won by 124 runs.

 

A great win by the lads built on innings from Ben, Bimalka, Stuart and Barry and then some great bowling from Bimalka and Jake sealed the victory – well played lads.

 

Charlbury 25 points

Sat 18th Aug Charlbury 2nd vs Abingdon Vale 3rd

Paul Ford

Charlbury 2nd 146 (44.4 overs)

Ayan Chakravartty 42

 

Abingdon Vale 3rd 127 (35.3 overs)

Emilia Bartram 3-39

Ellie Norton 3-42

 

Charlbury travelled to division 8 rivals Abingdon Vale knowing a victory would make them champions. Richard and Simon opened the batting, but it did not start well. Early on Richard edged one and was caught by the wicket-keeper meaning captain, Andy, had to make an early appearance at the crease. Both Abingdon bowlers had settled into a good line and length and Charlbury were struggling to get them away for many runs. Andy looked good at the crease from the off, pushing a few singles around before hitting one thru the leg-side to the boundary for four. Simon was playing a more cautious game, just looking to defend the good deliveries and push the odd single around. Then Simon hit out at one, but the ball flew straight tot a fielder and he was caught meaning Michael had to come to the crease. Michael started confidently pushing a couple of singles around to try and get Andy the strike. After 13 overs a change in the bowling was made and a new bowler entered the attack. Andy attacked the new bowler and hit him for a couple of early boundaries to get the score moving along. The new bowler also did not settle into a great line and length and started to bowl a few wides which helped the Charlbury score. Just as it looked like Charlbury might be getting on top Andy hit one straight to a fielder and was caught for a good 26. Ayan, making his first appearance of the season, now made his way to the wicket with Charlbury 48-3. Ayan played an attacking game from the off, running hard for every shot to make shot he scored every run he could. Michael was looking confident at the crease, stroking the ball around for a few singles and just keeping the good deliveries out. Ayan then launched a massive six out of the ground as the Charlbury score started to accelerate. The first change bowler now left the attack and a new bowler entered it. The new bowler made a quick impact as he bowled Michael when he missed one. Rob now entered the fray, but was not there long as next over he too was bowled leaving Charlbury 76-5. Neil now joined Ayan at the crease. Ayan continued to try and take the game to the bowlers and hit another boundary four. The opening bowler then finished his spell and a new bowler entered the attack as Abingdon continued to search for wickets. Neil was just looking to give Ayan the strike and to just keep all of the good deliveries out. Ayan hit the new bowler for a six as he continued to put all the pressure on the bowling side. The hundred mark was brought up as the overs began to run out quickly. Neil hit out at one and was caught meaning Martin now came to the wicket. Martin was not there too long as he tried to hit out at one early on, but was caught near the boundary. Emilia now joined Ayan at the crease. Ayan smashed a third six of the innings as he raced towards fifty. Emilia edged one delivery and it flew to the boundary. Then disaster struck as first as Ayan took a big swing at one, but edged the ball to the wicket-keeper who caught him for a great 42. Then before the over was out Emilia edged one and she too was caught by the keeper. Mark and Ellie now had to try and bat out the last few overs. Mark smashed two deliveries in one over thru the covers and to the boundary for four. Ellie just looked to push a few singles around to get Mark on strike. Mark was looking confident at the crease as he stroked the ball around, finding singles and another boundary four. In the last over Ellie looked to hit out at one, missed the ball and was bowled as Charlbury were all out for 146.

 

Charlbury were going to need to bowl well if they were to win. Emilia and Ellie opened the bowling and got Charlbury off to a brilliant start. A boundary was hit in the first over. Next over though Ellie found the edge of the bat and wicket-keeper Rob did the rest with a good low catch. Next over Emilia wrapped one batsman on the pads and he was given out adjudged LBW. Things continued to go well for Charlbury as in Ellie’s second over she again found the edge of the bat and wicket-keeper Rob took his second catch. Emilia bowled the fifth over and grabbed another wicket as one batsman tried to hit out, skied the ball and Martin took a great catch leaving Abingdon 7-4 off of 5 overs. Charlbury were now in complete control and the batsmen decided to bat out a few overs just to make sure they did not lose any more quick wickets. A couple of boundaries were hit as Abingdon started to try and get back in the game. Ellie was bowling a great spell, getting some movement off of the pitch and causing problems for all the batsmen. Emilia too was bowling really well, also getting movement off of the pitch and constantly beating the bat. One batsman then hit Ellie for a couple of boundaries, but she soon had her revenge when he tried to repeat the dose, the batsman hit the ball straight to Michael and he took the catch. A change in the bowling was then made as Mark came into the attack in place of Emilia. Mark dropped straight into a good line and length and managed to extract some turn from the wicket. Charlbury were going to need to bowl Abingdon out if they were to win, but one batsman was getting in their way as he pushed the ball around for ones and twos with the odd boundary thrown in. the outfield was quick, but Charlbury were backing their bowlers up by chasing down everything. Ellie then left the attack and Ayan entered it. Ayan dropped into a reasonable length and line, but with no luck. Then Charlbury got a bonus when a quick run was attempted, but quick fielding saw the ball quickly into Rob’s hands and he whipped the bails off to execute the run out. Things got even better next over when a mix up in the calling saw the new batsman stranded and run out leaving Abingdon 79-7, but with plenty of overs left. The two batsmen now contented themselves with pushing a few singles around and with some hard running they started to get closer to the hundred mark. Ayan came out of the attack and Ellie re-entered it, but to no avail. With the batsmen growing in confidence and hitting a couple of boundaries the game was starting to get close. The hundred had been passed and Abingdon only needed to score just over two runs an over to win the game. Andy then brought himself into the attack to try and make the breakthrough. It worked as Andy bowled the batsman who was scoring the bulk of the runs leaving Abingdon 122-8. Emilia now re-entered the attack as Charlbury went for the kill. In Andy’s next over he clean bowled the new batsman to leave Abingdon nine wickets down. Next over and the game was won as the set batsman skied one and Emilia took a great caught and bowled to leave Abingdon 127 all out and Charlbury champions.

 

A great win for the seconds built on Ayan’s innings and then some phenomenal bowling by Ellie and Emilia saw the top order blown away – well played lads and lasses and congratulation on winning Division 8.

 

Charlbury 2nd 25 points