Charlbury 175-7 (45 overs)
Sam Ratcliffe 30
Andy Glass 35
Dean Warner-Carter 39
Oxford Downs 3rd 177-6 (30 overs)
Charlbury won the toss and elected to bat first. Sam and Simon opened the batting. Sam got off to the better start as he drove a couple of early boundaries. Simon started steadily, just looking to work the ball around for singles. One of the bowlers settled straight into a good line and length and both batsmen found him tough to get away. The other bowler was not allowed to settle by Sam who went on the offensive, pushing a couple of twos to keep things moving. A few extras being bowled as well got Charlbury off to a great start. Then disaster struck as a mix-up in the running saw Simon run out going for a quick single. Andy now came to the crease. A change in the bowling was made from one end as Downs looked to stem the flow of early runs. The change worked as the new bowler quickly settled into a good line and length and now both batsmen were finding runs hard to come by. Sam hit out at one, but hit the ball straight to a fielder and was caught for a good 30. Robert now came to the crease. Both batsmen had to play fairly defensively as the Downs bowlers were bowling well, giving little away. Another change in the bowling was made as the opening bowler left the attack and a new bowler entered it. The new bowler was on the spot from the off and kept the pressure on the batting side. A couple of overs later and other change in the bowling was made as the first change left the attack and a new bowler entered it. The new bowler made a quick impact as he clean bowled Robert. Dean now joined his captain at the wicket. A couple of boundaries were hit to keep the score moving along. Downs were bowling and fielding well and Charlbury were struggling to get the runs away. Slowly the score started to rise as both players pushed a few singles and twos around. dean was looking in good form as he stroked the ball around, whilst also keeping a watchful eye on defending the many good deliveries. Andy was also batting well, looking to score whenever he could. One of the bowlers finished his ten over spell and so one of the opening bowlers returned to the attack. The hundred had been passed and with the overs beginning to run out the batsmen were looking to push on a bit harder. Both batsmen hit another couple of boundaries as they looked to accelerate the scoring. Then disaster struck as just when it looked like Charlbury might be able to push on hard Andy missed one and was bowled for a good 35. Adam now came to the crease. Dean was still looking good, pushing the ball around on both sides of the crease and starting to find runs slightly easier to come by. Another change in the bowling was made as a new bowler entered the attack. The new bowler was straight on the mark from ball one. Dean tried to force on e from the new bowler, but could only hit the ball in the air and was caught. Mark now came to the crease. Charlbury were now looking to score as many as they could from the last few overs. Both batsmen ran hard whenever they could. Downs now brought back the other opening bowler and he made a quick impact. First he bowled Adam and then next ball he had new batsman Alex caught by the wicket-keeper. Miyuru joined Mark at the wicket and they batted out the last couple of overs to take Charlbury to 175-7.
Charlbury would have to bowl well if they were to win the game. Emilia and Miyuru opened the bowling. Miyuru struck third ball when he clean bowled one batsman. The other opening batsman went on the offensive hitting several early boundaries and forcing a quick change as Miyuru made way for Sam. Emilia was bowling a good line and length and causing problems for one end, but the other opening batsman was finding runs easy to come by no matter who bowled. Sam dropped into a good length and line, but was still punished with a couple of boundaries. Then the new batsman skied the ball and Ellie gratefully took the catch off of Sam’s bowling leaving Downs 41-2. Sam quickly made way for Robert as Charlbury looked to slow the run rate down from one end, but to little avail. Emilia then made way for Ellie. Ellie dropped into a reasonable length and line and this started to slow things down slightly, but Downs had got off to a good start and Charlbury would need to keep taking wickets if they were to win the game. The new batsman then miss-hit the ball and it lobbed up into the air for Robert to take a good caught and bowled, Charlbury were still in the game. Then Charlbury got the wicket they needed as the opening batsman played one shot too many, skied the ball and Robert gratefully took the catch leaving Downs 85-4. Charlbury were now right back in the game as Downs had two new batsmen at the crease. One batsman went on the offensive, keeping up what the opening batsman started and keeping the pressure on the bowlers. Charlbury were going to struggle to defend their total unless they could bowl Downs out. Robert left the attack and Andy entered it, looking for more quick wickets, but when they were not forthcoming he took himself out of the attack and brought on Mark. Mark made a quick impact when he wrapped one batsman on the pads and he was given out adjudged LBW. 129-5, but lots of overs left. Ellie was bowling well, but with no luck as she beat the bat on several occasions. One batsman was still hitting out and he found a couple more fours as Downs closed in on victory. Mark then wrapped the new batsman on the pads and he as given out adjudged LBW. Unfortunately Charlbury could not get another wicket and Downs won the game by 4 wickets.
Charlbury 2nd 8 points