Given that the 1st team started the season on minus 20 points and the 2nd's a huge 40 points, this was a successful campaign. The obvious highlight was winning the Oxfordshire K.O final at the back end of August. The losing finalists went on to retain their Village K.O title at Lords, demonstration enough of our terrific  achievement.

Division 1	P	W	D	L	A	B	Pts
Aston Rowant	18	11	4	3	0	92	422
Oxford Downs	18	9	5	3	1	119	399
Banbury XX	18	11	2	3	2	34	384
Buckingham	18	7	6	4	1	139	359
Bourton	18	9	3	5	1	72	351
Challow	18	7	6	4	1	137	337
Shipton	17	5	5	7	0	142	292
Dinton	17	2	3	11	1	173	243
Sandford	18	2	5	10	1	147	217
Kimble	18	0	3	13	2	138	158

League form was patchy at times, especially early on, twice being defeated after making excellent scores batting first. During this same period against top teams we were showing too much deference, bowled tentatively and fielded indifferently. Second half  we looked a more confident, tight unit batting well and bowling  aggressively, all backed up by solid outfielding. The batting was held together by Julian Penney and Ashley Holznagel 1250 runs between them.  Highlights were Nigel Hill's 95 on an indifferent wicket against Sandford, Ashley's 128 against Bourton,  Julian's consistency, Neil Podbery's first half form and Will Clarke's classy batting in the second half of the season. We were short of a spinner for too many games, when either or especially both played we looked a much more balanced outfit. The bowling was spearheaded by Dave Slade who's 39 wickets was the biggest return since Dean Creedon was cracking ribs six seasons ago. Given that Dave took few of these in early season, he obviously had a wonderful spell later on.  Highlights were Dave's 8 against Aston Rowant and when he and Martin Turnbull bowled unchanged against Sandford routing them for under 80. It would be interesting to calculate, in the games in which we did not win, how many points were lost to dropped catches. Upwards of 25 probably, anyone out there got any ideas on that one?

Qualification 5 completed innings            Qualification 5 wickets

Finally, we some brave person has  to fill Ashley's boots for next season. 740 runs, 16 wickets and a commitment to the club that was a wonder to behold. Upwards of 30 hours a week coaching, practising and getting teams on the field. Instilling a different approach when batting second, gone the gung ho points or bust philosophy, do not give our opponents maximum became a priority. We chiselled out points and at the same time, denied our opponents their share. We wish him and the lovely Megan all the best and with their departure the knowledge that he will be an extremely hard act to follow.

The seconds had, if you'll forgive the cliché, a real roller coaster of a season. Superb team performances alongside a couple of dismal efforts, the nadir was the miserable three points gained in one game. In mitigation availability was an issue all season, this is probably best highlighted by our two games with Henley, the first we were all out for 47, the second, when our opposition needed to win for promotion, we scored 287 runs. The difference of 240 runs  cannot be just down to one wicket being akin to a goalmouth on Hackney Marsh and our own pristine strip. Answers on a postcard please. 

Division 4	P	W	D	L	A	B	Pts
Bic & NO 2nd	18	14	4	0	0	21	441
Henley 2nd	18	10	3	4	1	92	402
Long Marston	18	9	4	4	1	109	389
Buckghm 2nd	18	8	5	5	0	113	353
Wallingford	18	8	4	5	1	88	338
Didcot	18	6	4	7	1	134	324
Brackley	18	2	6	9	1	211	281
*Challow 2nd	18	6	4	7	1	119	269
Wendover	18	1	5	10	2	156	206
Tiddingtn 2nd	18	0	3	13	2	127	147

Figures are not available at this moment but it is apparent that no one dominated the batting, no one to get 500 runs and hold things together. The only hundred came from Will Clarke and he was on loan from the 1st X1! The long term injury of Tim Beauzeval was a big blow, but Phil Cox, Ed Ekins and Owen Dimbylow carried the attack along, but like the other teams, lack of a spinner was fundamental. Owen had the seasons best figures 6-60. The absence of Clive was  crucial, looking at his performances when he played, it is apparent that he is still pivotal as the teams premier all-rounder.

For the 3rd XI, the season turned out to be a huge disappointment, pushing for promotion for most of the year, whipping boys for the last five games. At least the reasons for this are blindingly obvious, whether the cause of this slump in form will be addressed is another matter. With the obvious demands  from above, the club has a simple question to ask of itself, short term expediency or an attempt  to support the 3rd XI  in a way which does not  expose very young cricketers to absolute drubbings. Given the importance of not compromising the 2nd XI's competitiveness it is an extremely difficult equation to balance, but at the moment not enough support is being directed towards the 3rd XI youngsters.  The batting was held together by Ted Heape, Alan Mercer and Justin Penrose, the bowling was too young by half. Harry Hunter and Steve Kennedy McGregor showed promise and the competitive edge vital to improvement. Unavailability contributed as well, Colin Mercer (boozing around the fleshpots of Europe) and Duncan Woolloff who's fingers are more brittle than poppa dums were the two most missed. 

Averages soon to appear.

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