Sunday saw the long awaited Oxfordshire Indoor Finals Day where the winners and runners up from the Banbury and Oxford Leagues play to determine the county’s entrant to this winter’s ECB National Indoor Championship.
The first Semi-Final saw Kingston Bagpuize play the Banbury Vets.
Kingston batted first and set a challenging target of 132 for 5 off their 10 overs. JJ Smith 29; Matt Warner 30 and Simon Launder 28.
In reply, the Vets were always behind the rate finishing 65 all out in the 9th over with Paul Cutler 23 and James Risbridger 21. Simon Launder the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 22 off his 3 overs.
The game was played in superb spirit with the Vets then heading off for refreshments whilst the remaining games were played!
The second Semi-Final saw the reigning Champions play Witney Mills.
Hook Norton batted first and set one of the highest scores we’ve seen at Eynsham in the last few years reaching 152 for 2 in their 10 overs. Andy Stanley 39no; Tom Bartlett 37no; Kieran Scott 26ret and Adam Bennett 26 ret.
In chasing the large total, Witney Mills lost wickets at regular intervals finishing their 10 overs on 103 for 5 with Franie Crouch 52no. The pick of Hooky’s bowlers being Richard Knight with 2 for 17.
After a short interval, the Final then saw the winners of the Oxford League Finals Day play the Banbury League winners.
Hook Norton batted first and again set a challenging target of 137 for 3 off 10 overs with Dan White 44no; Kieran Scott 25ret and Adam Bennett 20. Ranga being the pick of Kingston’s bowlers with 1 for 27 off his 3 overs.
In reply, Kingston lost regular wickets finishing on 65 all out in the 7th over. Economical bowling from the 4 Hooky bowlers Adam Bennett, Richard Knight, Dan White and Kieran Scott.
Hook Norton retained their title as Oxfordshire Indoor Champions with their captain Dan White receiving the trophy.
Hook Norton now go on to represent the county in the ECB Indoor National Championship County PlayOff on Sunday 6th March 2022 – their opponents are not yet known.
Oxfordshire Cricket would like to thank Dennis Faulkner and Bob Lawrence for umpiring the day and Chris Cox for scoring.
Good luck to Hook Norton in the next round!