In complete contrast to recent Youth Final Days the weather for the conclusion of the U13 League season was a complete scorcher at Didcot CC.
Following the Quarter Finals results:
– Cumnor beat Banbury by 5 wickets
– Challow & Childrey beat Shipton Under Wychwood by 8 wickets
– Kidmore End beat Tiddington by 15 runs
– Wolvercote beat Oxford Downs by 72 runs
Semi-Final 1 saw a clash between Challow & Childrey who were unbeaten in 10 pool matches against Cumnor. Challow batted first setting a formidable target of 151 for 4 off their 20 overs with George Beard 32ret and Joe Westmoreland 18 putting on 63 for the first wicket and Ollie Beard 31ret. The fielding highlight being two run outs by Julius Ford. Cumnor batted well in response with contributions from Julius Ford, Ned Holt, Harry Davies, Patrick Bowden and Jack Scott, however continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Despite an excellent unbeaten quickfire 25 run 10th wicket partnership by Zachary Dudhill and Archie Treitline Cumnor fell 11 runs short. Wickets were shared equally between Challow’s bowlers with 2 each for Iestyn Atkins, George and Ollie Beard.
Semi-Final 2 saw Kidmore End return for their second U13 Finals Day of the season, this time facing Wolvercote who were comprehensive group winners which included both Horspath and Oxford. Kidmore won the toss and batted first setting a competitive target of 118 for 5 off their 20 overs. In reply, Wolvercote set off chasing their target a little slowly, however, in the latter overs picked up the pace with some excellent running between the wickets to set up a close finish falling only 10 runs short for the loss of 7 wickets.
For this season only, we were unable to host a 3rd/4th Place Playoff given Didcot’s main pitch was being used in the afternoon for a National Vitality U15 T20 Cup 2nd Round fixture hosting Great Brickhill CC, the Bucks Champions. Secretly, given the temperature and not much shade there was at least one positive in the Semi-Final defeats!
The Final saw Challow & Childrey face Kidmore End who have both had an excellent U13 season. Challow & Childrey won the toss and elected to bat. This was an entirely different game to their Semi-Final where Challow whilst scoring freely at 6 runs an over continued to lose wickets at frequent intervals with only George Beard standing firm who eventually went on to make 41no. The innings closed when Challow were all out for 84 after 16 overs. Excellent bowling and fielding by Kidmore with the pick of the bowlers being Parthiv A with 4 for 23. Remaining wickets were shared 1 each for Aryan Vynatheya, Jamie Fenwicke-Clennell, Joshua Finch and Archie Nassau-Lake – all with excellent economy figures.
In reply, the Kidmore openers put on 24 for the first wicket and seemed to be going along nicely with Dananjay A 17 until the loss of 3 quick wickets left the game in the balance with Kidmore at 27-3. Joshua Finch 17 and Archie Nassau-Lake 12no went about a rebuild until 53-4. Then wickets began to fall at regular intervals and the game toing and froing, parents and coaches biting fingernails with Kidmore at 79-9. Two superb run-outs by Luke Flemming, a catch, stumping and run-out for Joe Westmoreland and excellent all round bowling by the team with Luke Glazer being the pick with 2 for 11 off his 4 overs. The game went down to the final ball with the Kidmore batters keeping their nerve; Archie Nassau-Lake and Aryan Vynatheya both running a single to bring the scores level and Kidmore winning by virtue of least wickets lost – 9 as opposed to all out!
This game was a brilliant advert for a low scoring game and an absolute credit to the players, coaches and all volunteers involved.
Paul Short from Oxfordshire Cricket then thanked the teams, coaches, officials and volunteers whilst also recognising the high level of skills on display, the high standards of spirit of cricket being maintained and the excitement served up in the Final. The day was completed by Paul presenting the winning captain, Joshua Finch with the U13 League Trophy.
Our thanks go to the umpires; John Finch, Nick Wilks, Peter Sharp and Dick Haddock in challenging conditions and the scorers from all teams. Additionally, a special thanks to David Hall, Paul Costello, Guy & Jacob Townsend and all volunteers at Didcot CC ensuring a great day was had by all.