Challow won the toss and elected to field first. We started with a quality pace attack, James cleaning up two batsmen early on with Will containing the runs nicely. Ben and Alex confused the batters for the next 8 overs that saw Challow take another 2 wickets. Dan set about delivering some annoyingly accurate bowling to dismiss Minsters number 8 aided by Will and James who completed their overs fruitfully with a further two wickets. Despite some excellent ground fielding and direct hits (two run outs) the Minster batsmen built a useful total of 93 for 9.

James               4 – 0  – 14  – 3

Ben                  4 – 0  – 14  – 2

Challow opened with Jack and Nick who started positively, the required rate of just under 4 per over built steadily and scoreboard pressure resulted in two cheap run outs (bad luck Oli H). Charlie and Jo moved things along nicely but the overs were ticking by and we had left ourselves a bit too much to do.  Ben crashed some quick runs including 4 boundaries that took us within sight of the target, Oli G replaced James (run out) and added a further 9 to the total but we fell 4 runs short with 6 down at stumps.

 Jack                 16    Nick                   5    Oli H                  1

Charlie             12    Jo                       8    Ben                  22

James                 0    Oli G                  9

An enthusiastic performance that has set the effort bar at 100% - no one gave up; the game was taken to the wire – well done to all!

Challow lost the toss and were put into bat on a moist wicket, Oliver fell victim to a stumping and Oli defended well but was bowled for 2. Nick W battled on finally being caught for 15.  Ben and Harry had a brief partnership ending in a run out; Ben was then stumped (second of three). Jo was looking to push the score on but was bowled leaving James (not out 12) and Nick M (8) to add 20 to the total. Dan was the third stumping and Will added 2 to bring the score to 67 for 8 after 20 overs (Alex DNB).

 Nick W - 15    James - 12*    Extra’s top scored at 17!

The team talk was brief due to squash and biscuits being freely available – 67 was going to be a tough target to defend and would require top drawer bowling and fielding. We went with the same bowling formula, Will & James produced good economy in the first four overs leaving Ben and Alex (a superb 3-7) to mop up 4 wickets and start to apply pressure to the batsmen.   Dan and Will continued the attack for very few runs with Dan achieving an excellent 3-10 leaving Hendred 7 down. When Will had finished his four overs, James stepped up to bowl the last over (very difficult to bowl at the death) with Hendred needing 6 to win.  The first three balls went for singles with the next ball hit for three following a run out attempt!

     Alex - 3 wickets for 7 runs off 4 overs.    Dan – 3 wickets for 10 runs off 4 overs.

Although we lost, we once again took the opposition to the wire – this game was even closer than the Minster game. The boys should be encouraged by the effort they put in on the day and their ability to play as a team.

Challow lost the toss and were asked to field. James and Will tucked in with wickets in their opening overs: an unplayable delivery from James rattled the timber and Nick caught a good one off Will (plus a bowled) leaving Kingston 17 for 3 after 4 overs.  Ben and Alex bowled a mixed bag totalling 3 wickets between them. A great example of bowlers applying pressure to the batsmen led to a well thought out run out, Charlie gathered and returned to Ben who sent the No 5 on his way.   Unknowingly, we were playing against 9 men and Dan was disappointed when he destroyed the stumps of the No 9 with his first delivery – I think he was after the remaining batsmen! Kingston closed at 54 for 8.

Alex kindly offered to field for Kingston and a spare U12 was found to give 11 fielders. Challow had a steady start but lost the first 3 to stumpings (Jack 2, Nick 14 and Charlie 1). Oliver added 1 before being run out, the score slowly crept towards the target of 55. Ben smashed 4 with a well-balanced shot right in the extra cover slot and then was bowled.   Nick probably had the unluckiest innings being caught for 1 by Alex! Unlucky because it was the finest, one handed catch at full stretch I have seen this season. Jo (9*) and James (5*) carried the innings through for our first win! 

Well done to all, played with great spirit, sportsmanship & determination; thanks also to James for standing and Sam for scoring.

Challow won the toss and elected to field hoping for the usual strong bowling and fielding performance to limit the total.  Abingdon dispatched the ball to all corners of the park, the first three batsmen all retired.  Dan claimed the first wicket with an excellent caught and bowled. James claimed the number 6 with a fast straight ball and Dan was involved in running out the number 7.  Although Challow slowed the run rate, Abingdon ended up with 137 in their 20 overs.

Challow had a stiff task and needed to make early in-roads into the big total, Jack hit a good 11 with Nick, Charlie & Oliver adding a further 10.  The middle order picked up the run rate: Ben scored 14, Harry 6, Jo 17 and James 9 not out. A great effort but we fell short at 83 (one of our highest scores, if not the highest).  Once again, we battled to the end showing good character.

Thanks to Mike/James for umpiring and Sam for scoring.

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