Storming through!

Over 60s 2nd XI storm through to finals day to set up a ‘payback time’ showdown with Wales

Andy Haynes’ boys put the smile back onto the faces of the Oxfordshire’s Seniors Group cricketers as they powered into their final of the County Championship by brushing aside the challenge of Worcestershire by nine wickets.

And they did it without the services of their talismanic and to date, ever-present skipper, who had been felled the week before by a back spasm that did not clear up in time for the semi-final trip to Birlingham CC, near Evesham.

However, things could not have got off to a better start for stand-in captain Tim Riley, who won the toss, asked the hosts to bat first, and then stood back and watched bowlers Richard Cook and Graham Nelson, produce the sort of opening spell a skipper’s dreams are made of!

Half way through his first over Nelson bowled Peter Harler with the score on five, and three balls later it was five for two as skipper Riley safely pouched a chance to remove Nick Mytton for nought.

Not a bad start but there was more to come in Nelson’s second over as he bowled Ian Humphries – again for nought and the Worcestershire top order had been blown away for just nine runs!

The inevitable hosts’ fight back for the fourth wicket between Kevin Gilbert and Anthony Cosnett then followed as the pair proceeded to add 67 in 21 overs and the pair looked well set until Gilbert was undone by the ‘phantom’ medium pacers of Steve Kelly who held onto a good return catch to end the opener’s battling knock of 34 from 74 balls.

And it was Kelly who rammed home the advantage gained when he then dismissed Cosnett for 27 from 62 balls, caught by Nelson, with score on 81 for 5 with 18 overs still to be bowled.

The new pairing of Rob Sharp and David Goring were again faced with rebuilding while also keeping the score ticking along and managed to add 32 before Anwar Pervaiz bowled Goring for 12. 

Sharp meanwhile was going along nicely, but was fast running out of partners. Brian Peashall was bowled by Nelson for one, keeper Graham Saint went the same way for seven, while Ian Robinson was again caught and bowled by the wily Kelly for two, leaving Sharp on 40 not out from 60 balls and the Worcestershire total on 147 for nine from their 45 overs.

Of the Oxon bowlers Nelson, Kelly and Cook took the honours, with Nelson’s 5-25 from nine the highlight, well supported by Kelly’s 3-19 from seven and Cook’s frugal 0-16 from nine.

In reply the visitors were under no real scoreboard pressure requiring less than three and half an over and proceeded to tick along nicely with no real alarms, as skipper Riley and Ivan Mulford added 44 for the first wicket in 16 overs, before Riley was caught and bowled by Rob Sharp for a steady 26 from 47 balls.

However, that was to be the first and last wicket for the hosts, as Mulford settled in alongside new batsman Mike Howat and the pair then proceeded to add an unbroken stand of 107 for the second wicket.

Mulford – rock like early on – made 65 from 111 balls and over two hours at the crease – but put the bad balls away in the shape of six fours and three sixes. Howatt scored more freely – making a fine 53 from 63 balls with eight fours and a single six.

It was a torrid afternoon for the hosts’ bowlers, with only Rob Sharp 1-27 from nine, Brian Pearsall 0-23 from eight and Martin Woodward 0-24 from nine putting any pressure on the Oxon batsmen.

The win now sets up an intriguing 2nd XI County Championship final against Wales on September 10th – who beat Kent by 17 runs in the other semi-final.

Just over a week ago Wales trounced Oxfordshire by 10 wickets at Ebbw Vale. However, two key injuries on the day to keeper Phil Manning and skipper Andy Haynes made it a somewhat one sided affair, added to which it was a somewhat dead rubber as both sides had qualified for their respective semi-finals.

After the game skipper Haynes was delighted with the way his side have come good at the ‘business end’ of the season. 

“If you had told me during the first half of the season when we were struggling to play two games in a row, let alone win two in a row – that we’d storm through the post season in the way which we have, I would have laughed heartily and probably tried to find some spurious reason for being positive about the next fixture.

“The Wales game notwithstanding – we’ve improved week on week. I really didn’t expect to come here today against such a good side as Worcestershire and win so comfortably on their turf.

“I just hope we haven’t peaked too soon! But I’m sure such a well prepared side as Wales will have forgotten about the result last week and will not be taking us lightly, any more than we will be dwelling on it. Instead we will be out to reverse that result and bring home the silverware to a county that always punches above its weight.” 

Last man standing!

Three season-ending defeats for the seniors group teams but the Over 60s 2nd XI march on.

The Over 60s 1st and 3rd XIs and the joint Oxs/Berks Over 70s XI seasons are over as all three teams bowed out of their respective competitions with defeats this week. 

However, the Over 60s 2nd XI will contest the semi final of their County Championship when they play Worcestershire at Birlingham CC near Evesham, despite also losing heavily to Wales. 

The joint Oxs/Berks Over 70s XI were drawn away to Sussex at East Grinstead CC in the semi-finals of the Over 70s Vase competition and given a recent good run of form there were high hopes of a debut season finals day appearance for Adrian Manger’s side.

However, Sussex have been something of bogey team for various Oxfordshire senior sides in recent seasons and sadly they prevailed yet again as the hosts won comfortably by a seven wicket margin.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat and were soon in trouble as Jerry Senior was caught by Martin Burgess off the bowling of Brian Stilwell without troubling the scorers, and he was soon followed by Derek Watts who was lbw to Terry Daniels for just nine, with the score on 13 for 2.

That brought together Adrian Manger and Steve Partington and together the pair set about repairing the early damage as they added 43 for the third wicket and were looking set when Partington was run out for 18 with the score on 56.

New batsman Ian Harvey was soon gone for just three bowled by Trevor Stanley, with only 10 added for the fourth wicket, which then bought Chad Cudjoe to the crease, with Manger still comfortable at the other end.

Once again the pair looked well set to get Oxon back into the game as they comfortably compiled a good 50 partnership before Cudjoe was adjudged lbw to the bowling of Colin Gardner for 26, with the score on 116 for 5 in the 35th over. The visitors needed runs – and quickly if they were to impose any semblance of scoreboard pressure on the hosts in the second innings.

And it was that need for swift runs that took its toll as this time skipper Manger failed to make his ground and was run out for a valiant captain’s knock of 61, well supported by Ken Fuller with 20 from 29 before he too perished, caught by Alan Bettesworth from the bowling of Brian Stilwell. 

At the close of the innings Oxon had made 154 for 7 from their 45 overs leaving Sussex needing just three and a half runs an over to win.

Of the hosts’ five bowlers all bowled tightly – with opening pair  Terry Daniels and Brian Stilwell delivering figures of 1-18 from nine and 2-24 from nine respectively to establish an early stranglehold over the visitors’ batting which they never relinquished.

When Sussex began their reply Oxon’s Trevor Spindler was his usual economic self, with figures of 1-19 from six overs and was well supported by both Ken Fuller 1-25 from seven overs, and Alan Wever 0-19 from five, but the modest total enabled the hosts to ‘see off’ their best efforts.

Skipper Roger Tidyman and Kris Perera made a steady start and posted 32 for the first wicket before Spindler trapped Tidyman in front for 17. That then brought Richard Seagar to the crease and with Perera looking well set, the pair proceeded to add 89 for the second wicket.

With the score on 121 in the 28th over Seager eventually went when he was caught by Adrian Manger from the bowling of Chad Cudjoe for 31. Perera looked set for ‘red ink’ as he cruised past 80 but he too fell just before the job was done when he was trapped in front by Ken Fuller for 82.

However, Colin Mansfield and Alan Bettesworth saw Sussex home with nine overs to spare and seven wickets in hand to take them into the Over 70s Vase Final on September 5th.

Reflecting on the side’s debut season in the Over 70s County Championship, skipper Adrain Manger said: “Inevitably it took players from the two counties who had never played together before a little while to gel, and our early season results showed that. However, in the second half we played better as a team and more to our strengths.

“It’s been an enjoyable season and getting to a Vase semi-final in our first year is nice but I think we could and should have been good enough to make the final. Continuing our link with Berkshire for one more season will I believe ensure a pool of players for us to remain competitive and deliver further and greater success next year,” he added.  

Meanwhile the Over 60s 3rd XI went down by three wickets in a closely fought contest with Essex at Banbury XX CC, which saw them eliminated from the Over 60s 3rd XI County Championship at the quarter final stage.

The visitors won the toss and asked Oxon to bat and they were soon among the wickets, when Ajit Shah went for three, bowled by Musa with the score on 22 and only 10 runs later Simon Oldfield was run out for nought by Whettell, the first of three in the hosts’ innings that ultimately left them short of runs.

However, Howard Lancaster and Tim House soon steadied the ship and proceeded to add 53 for the third wicket before Lancaster was caught by Mark Ede from the bowling of Phil Mitchell for 44 and only a further 18 runs had been added when Jerry Senior perished for just a single bowled by Daud.

House and new batsman Mike Simpson looked to be going well in adding 30 for the fifth wicket before House was bowled by Southwell for a well-made 60 from 65 balls including 10 fours.

And then the run out curse struck again when new batsman Steve Partington succumbed for just two as the total slipped to 124 for 6, which soon became 136 for 7 when Hugo Ritson-Thomas went for nine caught Brown bowled Southwell, as the pressure to score quickly mounted.

Dave White and Clive Ricks then both went for single digit scores as Simpson tried to shepherd the tail and keep the scoreboard ticking, before he too was caught short of his ground for an uncharacteristic 26 off 51 balls with the all out total just 170 and even that thanks to 12 extras donated by the visitors.

The visitors used five bowlers and all of them bowled tight disciplined spells. Brown conceded just 23 from his nine overs, while the best figures were returned by former England Over 60s left arm spinner, Martin Southwell with 3-24 from eight.

Essex were similarly disciplined in their batting. Bloch and Headon set a good base before Bloch was caught by Peter Howe off Mike Simpson for 21 from 21 balls with the score on 30. 

Gamman and Headon then added another 47 before both batsman fell with the score on 77. Gamman went lbw to Steve Partington while Dave White trapped Headon in the same manner.

With two new batsmen at the crease there was a chance for Oxon to get back in the game and White and Partington grabbed it as first White bowled Whettell for two with the score on 80, and then trapped keeper Jarrett in front for just four. 

And with the score now 93-5 Partington weighed in with another vital wicket when he trapped Mark Ede in front for nine, shortly after which Hugo Ritson Thomas bowled Brown for six, leaving Essex on 105 for 7 with 66 still needed to win. The game was now Oxfordshire’s to lose with only three wickets needed.

Step forward new batsmen Martin Southwell and Phil Mitchell for the visitors, who proceeded to add the required runs in just 80 balls without any further problems. Southwell compiled a nerveless 40 from 49 balls and Mitchell a well struck 29 from 29 as Oxon ran out of steam and ideas in the closing stages. 

With the ball White and Partington had bowled Oxon back into the game and their figures reflected their input – White taking 3-20 from his nine overs and Partington 1-22 from his nine.

“It’s very disappointing to go out of the competition at the quarter final stage after making it through to the final last year. The run outs cost us dearly, but our ground fielding was poor and was probably the difference between the two sides,” said Oxon skipper Clive Ricks. 

“It was a good fightback from our change bowlers when Essex looked in control of the game, but credit to the two guys who saw them home, they stood tall and never looked in any trouble.” 

The Over 60s 1st XI also bowed out of this year’s County Championship when they went down fighting by 52 runs away to Kent at Bromley Common CC. 

Kent won the toss and elected to bat, but Oxon struck the first blow when Mickey Thomas had Graham Nicholls caught by Ian Curtis  for just a single when the score was on 15. 

That then brought together Jim Phillips and John Butterworth and the pair promptly added 98 in just 20 overs as the hosts took full control.

Phillips eventually went for a solid 53 from 72 balls again caught by Curtis this time off the bowling of Andy Slater and there was a glimmer of hope for the Oxon bowlers as Chris Trevatt went for just four when he was trapped in front by Ian Curtis in the 27th over with only a further seven added to the score.

Butterworth however was now scoring freely having passed 50 and was joined by Simon Routh who was also soon into his work.

In the next 15 overs the pair proceeded to add 113 before Routh perished caught and bowled by Paul Hemming for 49 off 53 balls, in support of Butterworth’s superb 121 not out at a run a ball, which included 16 fours in over two and half hours at the crease. Kent’s innings closed on 260 for four. 

The visitors sorely missed the habitual economy of Steve Roberts opening the bowling but Jon Woods stepped up to the plate with 0-26 from his nine overs.  On a more sombre note the side also lost the services of Andy Slater during the innings when he suffered a nasty fall in the outfield which subsequently proved to be a fractured collar bone.

With nearly six an over needed to win the game Oxon had a mountain to climb, but they went down fighting, mainly thanks to another counter attacking knock of 77 from 95 balls by Mickey Thomas.

Phil Manger and Nick Morman made a decent start before Morman was caught by Jim Phillips off the bowling of Ruper Staple for seven when the score was 28, but only a further five had been added when skipper Manger went for an aggressive 25 when he was caught by David Walton off the bowling of Staple.

Charlie Anderson was – as ever – rock like batting at three in making 31 from 60 balls but Paul Hemmings early season form has deserted him and he was soon gone for seven, this time bowled by Staple and Oxon were in trouble at 58 for 3 in the 13 over.

Enter Mickey Thomas who together with Anderson then added 60 for the fourth wicket and things looked a whole lot better until Anderson was caught by Chris Tarrant off the bowling of Terry Edwards, soon followed by Nick Edmondson caught by Steve Bradford off the same bowler.

Thomas needed someone to stay with him and both Rupert Taylor and the injured Andy Slater flattered to deceive in making 20 and 14 respectively as the run rate edged ever upwards and the overs ebbed away.

In the end Thomas was 77 not out and Oxon’s run chase and season faded away to 208 for 7 as Kent ran out winners by 52 runs.

Of the Kent bowlers Rupert Staple returned the best figures with 3-40 from nine, closely followed by Terry Edwards with 2-34 from his nine.

After the game Oxon skipper Phil Manger was disappointed but philosophical. “It’s been a long season and I think we simply ran out of steam and indeed to some extent players,” he said. 

“On our day we’re good enough to beat any county. But to compete at this stage of the season we need to improve our consistency and be able to move players seamlessly up from the lower teams and know they can hold their own against the best so we’re not having to rely on the same few proven performers to get us over the line at key points in games.

“However, looking back at last year we’ve come a long way and have the foundations to make that improvement.”

The Over 60s 2nd XI made the long trip to Ebbw Vale CC to take on Wales and their recent good form came to a somewhat dramatic end when they went down by 10 wickets, there were however, significant mitigating circumstances!

Wicketkeeper Phil Manning went down with an eye infection and effectively took no part in the game as he ended up in A&E, while the long journey took its toll on skipper Andy Haynes’ notoriously dodgy back inducing spasms which rendered him unfit to bowl and restricted to  somewhat limited movement in the field. 

However, their place in the semi-finals was already secure and as runners up in their group they are now away to Worcestershire at Birlingham CC near Evesham next week.

Having won the toss and elected to bat Ivan Mulford and skipper Haynes got proceedings off to a good start for Oxon and posted 60 for the first wicket before Mulford was caught and bowled by Webb for 24 from 53 balls.

Haynes went 17 runs later for 39 bowled by Webb and he also accounted for Mike Howatt in the same fashion a run later, immediately followed by Dave Warner for nought. 60 for 1 had suddenly become 78 for 4 and the hosts were in control and did not let their grip slacken.

Tim Riley battled away for an unbeaten 39 from 55 balls but no other batsman made double figures as the last six wickets went down for 30 runs, with Oxon bowled out for just 136 in 40 overs. Not much to bowl at – and so it proved.

Of the hosts’ bowlers Webb was by far the best with 3-19 from nine, well supported by Adams and Williams with 3-23 and 2-16 respectively.

Were the visitors to pull off a shock win early wickets were vital but sadly they did not materialise. Ever.

Under no real pressure given the visitors were down to nine and half men in the field Murray-Williams and Adams were able to accumulate risk free runs and did so with aplomb. Murray-Williams made 49 not our from 106 balls and Adams a more fluent 80 not out from 92 balls.

Of the wicketless Oxon attack Graham Nelson’s 0 for 27 from eight overs was the best of the five bowlers used.

“It was a ‘bad day at the office’ against a good side,” said skipper Andy Haynes. “but let’s move on and not dwell on what happened. We’ve a semi final to win next and who knows we might be able to avenge today’s result in the final. How sweet would that be!?”