Will it ever stop raining?
Four games lost to the weather but an Over 70s win stops a clean sweep by the elements!
The joint Oxs/Berks Over 70s 1st XI enjoyed a much deserved win this week as the remainder of the Oxfordshire Seniors group teams enjoyed an enforced rest thanks to the weather, as this wettest of summers went from bad to worse with four out of the five scheduled games called off.
Adrian Manger’s side hasn’t enjoyed the best of fortune this season running into players from the England squad in outstanding form with the bat on several occasions.
However, this week at least the weather was kind to them for once, and they were always in control of their home game against Warwickshire at University College, Oxford, which they won comfortably by 55 runs.
The hosts won the toss and chose to bat and Adrian Manger and Derek Watts got off to a good start and were only two runs short of a fifty run partnership in the 12th over when Watts went for 15.
Manger and Ian Harvey looked in no trouble in adding a further 20 before both went in quick succession with the score on 68. However, the new pairing of Jerry Senior (46) and Colin Ainger (33) steadied the ship and then pressed on to add a decisive 78 for the fourth wicket, before Senior advanced once too often and was stumped by David Edge off the bowling of Harold Turner.
Bill Munday (28) and Chad Cudjoe (18) then continued the good work and aided by a very generous 22 wides delivered by the Warks bowlers, ensured that Oxon closed on 202 for 6. For the visitors Robert Ball was the pick of the bowlers with 3-36 from his nine overs.
As ever Warks – in reply – were faced with the problem of risk-free run scoring off the bowling of Oxon’s England seamer Trevor Spindler – and decided instead just to see him off and try and pick up the run rate later. Hence Spindler’s usual miserly spell of 0-19 from nine overs.
Warks openers Richard Harper and David Swinburn dropped anchor somewhat and while they put together a useful opening stand of 63 it took them the best part of 21 overs. Swinburn went for 33 from 59 balls, and was soon followed by Mike Brooks for 0, as the hosts tightened the screws.
Harper ground relentlessly on and eventually went for 41 off 111 balls by which time the score had only advanced to 117 for 4 in the 36th over, leaving the remaining batsman nine overs to score the 86 runs needed, which eventually proved far too much when the innings closed on 147-6 from the allotted 45 overs.
For Oxon all the bowlers performed creditably with Alan Weaver the best of them with 2-24 from nine, well supported by Chad Cudjoe with 2-32 from nine and skipper Manger 1-20 from five.
Next week the Oxs/Berks Over 70s go to Rolleston CC in Staffordshire, where they take on the joint Staffs/Derby Over 70s XI.
Meanwhile – weather permitting – the Over 60s 1st XI make the very long journey down to Ynystawe CC near Swansea where they take on a customarily strong Wales team in the second of their eight second round matches to decide the County Championship semi-finalists. The first – another tough away fixture to their 2023 Vase Final opponents Sussex – having fallen victim to the weather last week.
The 2nd XI currently sitting in third place in the Midlands qualifying group also have a big game when they take on second placed rivals Warwickshire at Didcot CC. One of either team will qualify for the main Cup competition in second place, while third place will compete in the Vase.
The 3rd XI meanwhile take on a struggling Staffordshire side at Banbury XX CC, in a game they should win and from which they need to garner maximum points if they are to profit from sides above them slipping up and allowing them to further secure their position in the main Cup competition.
The Oxon Over 70s 1st XI are hopefully eventually in action again next week when they take on the Fossils XI at Minster Lovell CC. Please note this game is being played on Wednesday July 17th, not on the side’s customary Monday match day of the 15th.
And finally…..
An Oxfordshire Seniors Group side, captained by Adrian Manger, will be playing the Australia Over 70s team at Challow and Childrey CC on Friday the 19th of July, starting at midday.
The Australian team are be playing in the 2024 Over 70s World Cup which starts on Sunday the 28th July and runs through to the final on Sunday the 11th August, which will be played at the stunningly beautiful ground at Wormsley in Buckinghamshire.
“The match at Challow is the Aussies first warm up match,” explained Adrian, “and we are hoping as many people as possible associated with Oxfordshire cricket will come along, enjoy a beer or two and make this a really social event. We’ve also been asked not to play them into any kind of form so it should be a good competitive game,” he added with a smile.