Captains Blog

Musclebound

2012-01-29T08:28:00.000-08:00

We're building fires that will burn until morningThe smell of books and hot stone surrounds usTough is the leather that's strapped to my skinStrong are the bonds that we make
We feel the steam as it rises around usUp from the soil that is cracking its backTough is the leather that's strapped to my skinStrong are the bonds that we sing
Work till you're musclebound, all night longWork till you're musclebound, all night longGotta work till you're musclebound, all night longGotta work till you're musclebound, all night long
Good evening and welcome to 2012 blog fans. The season starts in 7 days time with our first winter training session. A good time to set out some expectations and details.
For the second year running we are based at Radley College every Sunday morning from 0900 to 1100. We have three net lanes booked.
So what can you expect? An organised, focused session lead by Head Coach Les Addison with Dave Slades (Jnr and Snr) and Ian Demain. Bowlers and batters will be eased in to the winter programme with the objective of building towards a peak in early May so we all hit the ground running and get the season off to a flying start.
For the first time in a while we will have enough coaches in attendance to help individuals iron out any technical flaws and learn new techniques in a supportive environment with enough time to really practice and embed them in to your game. In short we will all be able to get a bit fitter and become better cricketers.
So, what does the club expect? This is the really simple bit. 80% of life is turning up, the other 20% is being motivated, asking questions and listening. So that is what the club expects.
If you think training is something that you can pitch up to occasionally, muck about and then slog in the nets, you are wrong.
If you think that training is about effort, trying your best and being part of a team that develops together you are bang on.
I and the other three Captains look forward to seeing you all next Sunday

It May Be Winter Outside (But In My Heart It's Spring)

2011-09-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

A very happy Monday to you all for what may be the last blog for a little while. I must start with an apology. Blogging requires a spark to fire the creative juices; that spark has been missing for a few weeks now. A succession of performances that spanned the full range between limp and piss poor against Cublington, Brackley and Shallow left me feeling listless and a bit meh. I would rather produce nothing than give you something half baked.

Not that those three games didn't contain some fine individual performances, far from it. We witnessed the rebirth of Bernard as a batsman with a purpose, a breathtaking 78 against Shallow nearly won us the game, another michelle for Jules and a first Didcot michelle for Tim were all fine performances and on another day would have set up victories.

This run of games dragged us back towards a rather uncomfortable place in the division. We travelled to Banbury III on Saturday needing to get some serious points to avoid dropping below Thame. The mere thought of that sends a shiver right through me.

So, simple then. Win the toss, have a bat, make 200 plus and then bowl Banbury out. I lost the toss and then we lost the plot. Banbury were 98 for 0 after about 19 overs and the ball was pinging around the park. 250 looked highly likely. Arse.

To again prove that one wicket can change everything they lost their next 6 wickets for 40 runs and we were right back in it. They limped to 198 all out in the final over. Great spells from The Caretaker and The Judge felt just like '09. They ended with 4 each with a couple of run outs. Another fine performance from Jules and easily Jordan's best of the season.

After a spot of tiffin we set about the task of chasing down. The ennui that has blighted us over the last 3 weeks struck again as only Pritch got runs in the top 5. We were deep in trouble needing 120 to win at more than 5 an over.

Cometh the hour, cometh Bernard. A quick fire 30 odd put us back on track and Banbury on the back foot. Jordan was next up, a complicated set of instructions were communicated. See ball, hit ball. As hard as you can. Best not to give him to much to think about we felt.

It worked as he continued where Bernard had left off. His first 4 scoring shots were 1,2,3,4,6. He biffed a few more lusty blows out of the ground and we now only needed 4 an over with 9 overs left. Sadly we had our last pair at the crease so no room for error.

Luckily this last pair had a combined age of nearly 80. It is a long time since I have batted with a long off, long on, deep midwicket and deep backward square leg. Clearly they hadn't seen me or Jules bat before as the chance of either of us getting caught on the boundary were slim.

Hilariously I was dropped at deep backward square with 15 balls left. It proved a costly drop as we knocked off the runs with exactly no balls left.

Is there a better way to end the season that hitting the final ball for two to win by 1 wicket?

So we head off into the deep depression of winter with a victory and comfortably above Thame again.

Shower Your Love

2011-08-07T11:26:00.000-07:00

Good evening residents of South Oxfordshire.

I have to confess that I am less coherent than is usual for this time on a Sunday, forgive me Lord.

In an extraordinary reaction to events in Tiddington yesterday some toys were thrown out of prams in Tottenham last night. This is the influence that the Squeeze has in this part of North London. A couple of phone calls on her way back yesterday and a carpet shop and a couple of Police Astra's are toast. Do not mess with the squeeze.

Those of us old enough to remember the last period of London riots are getting excited right now. Recession, lack of opportunity, division, lack of social mobility, despair; tend to herald an upsurge in artistic endeavour, in particular, protest music.

This has to be good news. Nothing good ever came from prosperity, hardship breeds creativity.

Who here has seen a Whale? I mean really seen a Whale? I saw one once, smaller than I had hoped. Like much in life, disappointing.

Much like Canada.

We were all out for 93, can't blame anyone really, they bowled well, we got out. Funny sort of day really. Hey ho. That is sport I guess. One week you are absolutely cock a hoop, the next just cock, no hoop. At all.

The highlight was the shower. Intense touch and someone pissing on Matt's foot without him realising. So, season over. All we can do is beat everyone is front of us, especially Shallow.

A question for you. The opposition are 19 for 5 from a handful of overs. You are captain. Is it advisable to remove both slips and adopt a defensive run saving field? (for clarification Viv Richards is not at the crease). Answers on a postcard to the usual address.

Anyway back to 1981. The Specials; number 1 with Ghost Town. A biting indictment on recession torn Britain, Coventry in particular. This town, coming like a ghost town, all the shops are being closed down. It was overtaken by Green Door by Shakin Stevens. Proof that social comment will always be outsold by snake hips. By the way, Shaky is hung like a horse.

Modern Romance also had a hit in 1981 with 'Ay ay ay ay moosey' I urge you to check it out. The lead singer now works in a key cutting booth on Oxford Street with Zammo from Grange Hill. This is true. Or at least part of it is. While you are at it check out Adam and The Ants, especially Dog Eat Dog and Young Parisians. I am off for much more wine.

Toutes Alors........................

Crosstown Traffic

2011-07-31T11:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a shower with a dead rock icon?

Think really hard, as it is the sort of experience that can slip the mind in a jiffy.

I had a shower with Jimi Hendrix yesterday. I expect that half of you reading this have never heard of him. He was the Amy Winehouse of his day; that is, he was dead at 27 after a turbulent relationship with a number of controlled substances. The mists of time have clouded things a little and I like to think he had more class than poor Amy, in reality he probably didn't. Choking to death is NOT CLASSY. Ever.

He could riff like no one else (again, under 20's - look up riff on wiki if you don't know what it means.)

Anyway, I had a shower with him yesterday. And it was lovely. A near perfect shower actually. One more wicket would have made it perfect.

We hosted the league leaders, Horspath II yesterday. Unbeaten in two years, a formidable proposition, perhaps.

Having dutifully lost the toss and therefore saving me the, for once difficult decision of what to do, we were invited to have first dig.

Jules and Pritch put on 60 for the first wicket and never looked in too much trouble against a bowling attack that to a number of neutral observers was the best seen in many years. Against such tight line and length runs were scarce and at drinks we had just 62 on the board. Crucially, with the loss of only Jules for a well made 34.

Pritch is not known for enjoying scratching around, he much prefers to crack on. The discussion at drinks was short; carry on as you are, keep wickets in hand, runs will come later.

He did just that and was third out in the 48th over with the score on 164. A fine innings of 77, chiseled out of rock. Of course there were a number of dot balls, on the whole it was a model of restraint, patience and concentration. It was also exactly what we needed. The foundation of the innings and therefore the perfect platform to launch our middle order. This brought Henry 'Shock' Brisland and Connor 'Awe' Morrison to the crease.

What happened next was the cricketing equivalent of a bunker buster. Delivered from a great height, with precision, and engineered to leave no trace.

The last 5 overs added 74 runs and left Horspath reeling around wondering what the f**k had hit them. Bris had hit them. Once, very hard, in the face.

Pritch had worked so hard for 48 overs for 77, Bris took about 30 balls to hit his 67 not out, five 6's were dispatched, balls were lost, bowling figures were decimated. Fun was had, basically. 240 for 3 is a good score any week, against Horspath was that little bit sweeter.

We all enjoyed a fine spread at tea. The vanilla slices were a personal favourite. Bris ate more than is healthy, he had earned it though.

Would Horspath try to chase? We hoped so., as we have too many Shallow attempts in the past couple of years when teams don't bother.

Tight opening spells from T'Gravy and The Archbishop built pressure. A wicket apiece. Horspath, 50 for 2 in the 19th over. In the balance.

Jules entered the fray and destroyed the middle order to leave Horspath 125 for 7 from 38 overs. Only one team in it, Horspath haven't lost for two years though so would fight to the final ball. T'Gravy came back for a surgeon defying second spell, he removed our achilles heel - T'path skipper, Manger. 127 for 8, 8 overs left.

Surely another last ditch victory would be ours. Those of you paying attention will have worked out that we didn't get it. We had them nine down, but couldn't quite finish them off.

So, Horspath escaped with a draw and 4 points. We had beaten them though. And everyone knew it.

We dominated 100 overs and showed what talent, determination and fight we can bring when everything clicks in to place. It was so nearly the perfect performance and showed the value of two entirely different but equally valuable innings in setting a score and then backing that up with guile, variation and concentration in the field. My only regret? You'll have to ask me that face to face.

Never has Crosstown Traffic sounded so good whilst soaping your nuts.

Heartbreaker

2011-07-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

Good evening Diddymen and good evening to any guests. An apology firstly for the delay - having written previously about how irritating wasps are, last night one went out of it's way to prove my point by crawling inside my shoe and promptly stinging me when I had the audacity to put it on.

One bout of anaphylactic shock later I am now left with a comedy Elephant Man style swollen foot, at least the heart palpitations and chronic low blood pressure have gone.

Anyway, enough of my woes. What happened against Cropredy? I hear you mutter.

Anticipation was high and the appetite was keen as we gathered at the FOD. A washout last week preceded seven days earlier by the thrashing of Banbury XX meant that we hadn't had much cricket for nearly 3 weeks.

Having lost the toss I was pleasantly surprised to find ourselves bowling anyway. We got off to a great start with an early wicket before Cropredy put together a very useful 2nd wicket partnership. we dropped a couple of chances and Hussain and Orchard made us pay. The Archbishop was particularly unlucky to remain wicketless in another fine opening spell.

With the score well past the hundred it was down to the spinners to put a brake on things. The Judge got one through the defences of Hussain with a smart catch from Bris off Jordan taking care of Orchard.

The pendulum swung and Cropredy never recovered the momentum they had enjoyed as Jules ripped through the middle order. A couple of smart catches from Crab Hands at slip and no other drops together with two run outs contributed to a decent fielding performance.

We ate our tea feeling confident we would chase down 205 and be home early.

The first 100 came up at nearly 6 an over with only the loss of one wicket, happy days. Matt made everything look very easy as he breezed to a fifty at less than a run a ball, well supported by Pritch, with another 30 odd, it all looked very comfortable.

Cropredy had other ideas. The introduction of leg spinning wunderkid S Hussain accounted for Matt; Doug soon followed Pritch back. Still we didn't need to worry, did we? 60 odd to win with Jules and Bris at the crease, on paper we were still in charge. It didn't feel like that from the boundary, I can tell you.

As if it were written in the stars we were 8 down, some smart bowling, one brilliant gully catch and some dumb batting putting the pressure right back on us. Still needing 20 odd from 4 overs. Didcot 2011 vintage doesn't win comfortably. Surely we wouldn't throw it away, would we?

Jordan went out to bat like an American Pilot hopped up on amphetamines. It worked, one boundary was followed by the biggest six anyone has ever seen at the FOD, out of the ground and onto the ring road. Fetch that!

In the end the gnarly old pro's saw us home with an over to spare and 9 down. Far tighter than it should have been, but 25 points none the less.

Credit is due to Cropredy who played some great cricket and never stopped going for the win. There league position doesn't reflect the way they played on Saturday and I'm sure their first win isn't far away.

We prepare for Horspath, top of the league and seemingly unbeatable.

Dazed and Confused

2011-07-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

Good evening blog fans.

Yesterday's game at the Field of Dreams was like so many things in life, full of anticipation and then ever so slightly disappointing once consumed. I find chocolate is that way; unlike a fat cohiba which is big on anticipation and never disappoints.

Our visitors were the second tranche of Banbarians in as many weeks. This time from XX, no idea why XX, and don't care really.

I had been warned that they were weak, something their lowly league position seemed to confirm. The pre start warnings were all about the potential for a banana skin type result and that we must remain focused and not take our foot off their throat once we had them pinned down.

This tactic seemed to work rather well as we had them at 25 for 6 off not many overs. We must not let them off the hook though. We didn't. They crumbled like a very crumbly thing.

53 all out. Northern Gravy's medium paced swing bowling had been too much for them; he ended with 6 for 23 and was well supported by The Don, 2 for 18 and Two Tone Head, 2 for 4.

It was barely lunch time, so far to early for tea. Best crack on. We did. 11 overs later it was all over, the majority of the runs coming in boundaries.

Not much more to say really. They will be relegated. We now have to push on, starting at Thame next week.

We are 4th and everything is bunching up at the top. Top two is within reach. It is purely a test of how much we want it now. I know I do, what about the rest of you??

Jump Around

2011-07-03T11:14:00.000-07:00

The air was heavy and thick with thunder bugs yesterday at the Field of Dreams. The sort of day that often ends in a storm; the sort of day that is perfect for drinking rum based cocktails out of tin mugs; the sort of day that is ideal for shooting alligator.

No rum or alligators in our part of Didcot, so a game of cricket seemed like a reasonable way to spend the afternoon instead.

It turned out to be one of those days that is made for cool, calm heads and one of those days with the sort of finish you only get every 5 years or so; or if you are Didcot, twice in a month.

Electing to have a bat after winning the toss seemed like a splendid idea, and at 90 for 1 in the 16th over all was well with the world. Matt and Pritch were moving along serenely, surely it was now a matter of when to declare. 22 overs later at 139 for 7 it looked a little bleaker. Matt had gone for a fine 72, the Banbarian umpire should have gone to specsavers. That was never LBW. Our middle order had disappeared, we were now in real trouble.

Two gnarled old pro's mixed reckless stroke play with dogged defence and 200 seemed like a possibility. We fell a little short at 192.

The Banbarian spinners had bowled a tight line and length and got just enough turn on a real bunsen of a pitch. Well played.

As we all enjoyed a splendid tea in the sunshine we were very glad of the start that the top 3 had given us. 192 should be enough I thought.

A dream start saw one of the openers depart in the first over, a superb one handed catch by Brockett, millimeters above the grass.

A stuttering recovery was snuffed out by Jules and Jordan, Both getting pant wetting amounts of turn they reduced Banbury to 50 odd for 4. One more wicket and we would be through them, we thought.

Banbury also had a gnarled old pro and he joined a young greenhorn. They fought back and the game tightened. % an over from the last 20 or so and only 4 down.

One wicket would change things, surely. We had to wait a while, but when it came it did change things, as so often happens it brought another with it, and another. By now Jones and Taylor were back on for second spells and had picked up a couple of wickets a piece.

Megson was still at the crease, now joined by proper tail enders. A Banbury win was now unlikely as the run rate had climbed to 12 an over with only two wickets left. Could Megson block and resist the temptation to nail a long hop through the covers. No, he couldn't. Caught behind. GAME ON!!!

One wicket needed and a handful of balls left. A couple popped up and fell agonisingly short and we were now into the last over.

Matt Jones was bowling from the Matt Jones End. A cannot remember what happened with the first 4 balls. I will remember the fifth until I die. Middle stump. Knocked back.

Cue wild celebrations; hugging, tender caresses of flaxen locks and possibly the odd squeeze of a buttock.

The result was never in doubt of course!!

We sang our song and passed around the special celebration shower gel. I love this game and I love this club. Next week cannot come quickly enough..............

Only Shallow

2011-06-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

The firsts game at Shallow yesterday had a real sense of Deja Vu about it as the hosts yet again demonstrated their monumental lack of wit, enthusiasm, attacking flair and will to win. They are to cricket what Mourinho's Inter Milan were to Football, except they don't win anything. Anti Cricket.

It's a shame really because the ground and facilities are among the best there is.

Asked to have a bat we were delighted to take advantage of the pitch. We lost a couple of early wickets and then Matt followed at 65 for 3. Were we worried? Not. One. Bit.

Connor joined Bris at the crease and they took the score to 190. Bris played his best innings in a Didcot shirt and unluckily fell 6 short of his maiden ton. Shot of the day was the swept 6 to the longest boundary at the ground, there was a lovely straight drive for 4 early in the innings that was darn good as well. Bris will have to wait a week for his ton.

Connor continued his rich vain of form and ended his innings on 58 with the score north of 200. We declared on 221. More than enough I thought.

A rather splendid tea was taken inside as we watched Jade Dernbach doing his best impression of a cricketer. Needs more work Jade.

Shallow took to the field and proceeded to ensure they wouldn't lose. Only two of their players looked as if they had even played the game before. The rest batted as if they had read a book about cricket, and not really understood it. The run rate climbed to 8 an over and suddenly they woke up and realised they had better get some runs. They didn't get any runs. They got out.

65 for 1 in the 27th over gradually became 98 for 4 in the 35th. I cannot remember the detail of what happened after this as I had lost the will to live. We bowled well, particularly Keatsy and Jules who ended with 3 for 45 and 5 for 32 respectively. I think some were caught, some were bowled and there was an LBW.

Shallow ended on 162 for 8. They didn't lose so they must be very happy with themselves. Well done.

No doubt Bris, Connor, Keatsy and Jules will be getting the usual winter approach from Shallow's mister fixit to go and join them.

Down Under

2011-06-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

When (Sir) Bob Geldof awoke from a sugar rush haze of space dust and sherbert UFO fuelled week long bender he wrote 'I Don't Like Mondays'. It went on, of course to inspire many a cry for help suicide bid amongst hormonal types across the Western world.

Long before the phrase 'Man Up' had been coined by Australian poofs the rest of us got on with our Monday's, resigned and determined to get on with life.

For the record I am not a massive fan of Monday's, but then who is?

Saturdays however are my most favourite day of the week, especially when we are playing cricket. We travelled the long and winding roads to Cublington this week. A pretty ground looking over rolling countryside, settled in the middle of a small village with a cracking pub in it.

Winning my second toss of the season I had no hesitation inviting them to have a bat. As they racked up 173 for 0 I was regretting this decision a little. As seems to be de rigeur in these parts they had an Aussie who manages to fit the Cherwell registration rules. Love to know where they found one. Anyway he bludgeoned 112 at more than a run a ball. It felt like we were being Tubbed again.

He rode his luck a little and almost killed Pritch. It was a Porsche Cayenne of an innings, ugly, fast and brutal. Well played. After his departure Cublington stuttered and appeared to have not a lot else to offer as they limped to 253 for 6 from 48 overs. A pretty impressive score, but at one stage I thought they might score 400!! Through the mayhem The Judge picked up his second successive 5fer. He was the only one who seemed to have a plan, and he bowled to it very well.

So, a sporting declaration, 254 to win from 52 overs. A few spots of rain at tea didn't alter the match and I believed we would win.

We got just the start we needed, 66 for the first wicket at 5 an over, Pritch finding some form and timing hit a solid 44, we were on our way. Our powerhouse top order failed against some accurate bowling as no one really got in. 93 for 4. My belief was wavering a bit now.

This brought Bernard to the crease to join Big Doug. I predict big things for this pairing. One more pleasing on the eye than the other, one more brutally effective. They took the game to Cublington. The chirping out in the middle disappeared and the fielders moved ever closer to the boundary. They scored 74 in 10 overs and put us right back in the match. Doug perished to what many thought was a brave LBW decision by the umpire, you don't see many given having skipped two big paces down the pitch and hit on the full. It changed the momentum of course. Shaun followed a little later with the score on 185. A more petulant departure from the crease is hard to remember, perhaps Dennis Lillee managed it.

They both played excellently, Shaun picked up 61 and top scored, they can both be proud.

The rest of the innings faded away as we continued to chase what would have been an unlikely victory. We fell short despite some effective hitting and never lost our belief that we could win. We could have blocked for the draw, but where is the fun and honour in that?

Afterwards we retired to the pub and had a marvellous time. The best bunch of lads we have played against for a long time and a cracking game of cricket

Next week we must beat Brackley. Failure to win will make next week an extremely black Monday.

Underdog

2011-06-07T22:48:00.001-07:00

Oh what a night, late December back in '63............

I have no idea what this means, or what the Four Tops are up to these days. Who cares, we beat Cumnor this evening in the first round of the Bernard Tollett Knockout cup.

Our own Bernard had selected a youthful side, blended with the experience of a few mature, seasoned pros.

Cumnor turned up early looking exactly like the Division 1 side they are. Fit, lean, well drilled and perhaps expecting a relatively easy work out against the minnows from Division 5.

Asked to bat first they lost wickets regularly, first to Pritch, 2 for 37 opening the bowling with Northern Gravy keeping the other end tight on a pitch that actually had some bounce and life in it. Amazing what a bit of rain and Big Daddy magic can do.

Next up were Stan and Laurel whirling away. They had the cream of Cumnor bamboozled as they didn't know whether to stick or twist. Jules ended with 4 for 34 and ripped the heart out of the innings, Jordan finished with 2 for 16 and didn't get hit for one boundary. The best mid week bowling performances that either has produced for a long time, possibly ever. The ground fielding and catching was superb with special mentions to Big Doug, Griff and Baldrick. Bernard captained with a calmness that oozed confidence and made all the right calls.

They ended with 110 for 9 from 20 overs. Getable.

A short rain delay left us with a revised target of 98 to win from 19 overs. A good start was needed and we could win this.

Soon we were 9 for 3 with Viraj, Bris and Bernard back in the hutch. Oops. Cumnor were looking confident that this would all be over very soon and that their dismal batting display would soon be forgotten.

Guess again. Connor joined Matt at the crease. Neither looked troubled as they went about dismantling all 8 bowlers used by Cumnor. A mixture of powerful drives and cheeky singles from the pair wittled away at the target until we need around 4 an over. Connor finished on 34 and Matt on 53 from only 43 balls; both not out. We had done it with 2 full overs to spare.

What was most impressive was the calm focus displayed by the whole team. It is easy to say that Cumnor under estimated us and didn't play to their potential. We will never know. They had 7 first teamers playing, so i don't think they did under estimate us, and i think we didn't allow them to get in to the game. Let's take some credit here for a job well done.

I wonder who we will be playing in a fortnight? Hook Norton would be good. Some excellent pubs there.

Messsage From The Godfather

2011-06-05T08:03:00.000-07:00

A hot, sultry day at The Field of Dreams yesterday rewarded those playing and watching with one of the most nail biting and exciting finishes in memory.

Tiddington are one of those sides that provide a measure of how good we are, everyone will roll over Cropredy this season, Tiddy are a sterner test.

Inviting the opposition to have a bat after winning my first toss of the season felt like a decent omen. What we needed was control at the start of the innings, something we have lacked so far this season.

What we got was even better than hoped for. Matt once again bowled a fiery opening spell with no luck at all. he should have picked up a couple of wickets but didn't. The Don was back from Afghanistan and looking and feeling fitter than ever before. He bowled his best opening spell for Didcot and picked up the wicket of Tiddy dangerman, Edmondson. He also deserved more reward than the wicket he pouched. Never the less what we had was a lack of wides, no balls and byes and that put us firmly in control.

The change of bowling brought early reward as The Caretaker suckered Maule into one big shot to many as he could stand the pressure no longer. A good catch from Angry Chris doing the rest.

Meanwhile The Judge was weaving his spell at the other end, he bowled 17 overs straight through and ended with 5 for 39. Smart catches from Pritch, The Don and two C+B together with a bowled. A cracking performance that kept the screw on Tiddy throughout. The Don returned and picked up 3 more wickets to end with 4 for 31 from 17 overs. A superb performance from both Don and Judge and Tiddy were all out for 165, crucially in the 52nd over, giving us 48 to chase the runs. Credit to everyone for a fine fielding performance, both catching and run saving. What was about to unfold proves yet again just how vital every single run is.

A fine tea was taken in the sun as the wise old sages agreed that Tiddy were 50 short of par.

Our innings started in slapstick fashion as we lost Jules from the first ball. Matt and Pritch put on 50, Pritch looking increasingly fluent whilst Matt never quite got into his groove. 54 for 1 was looking comfortable. 54 for 4 was not. We lost Matt, Pritch and Bernard in identical fashion as they attempted half hearted pull shots off Tiddy's midget medium pacer and spooned up looping catches to square leg. After the third I may have muttered something along the lines of 'for F***s sake.'

Now we were in trouble. Never mind though, because when you are in a jam, who you gonna call? They didn't answer, so we had Brockett and Angry to take us up to 92 and back in the hunt. Bris looked particularly good again and they both batted very sensibly.

We shot ourselves in the feet again as we lost 3 wickets in quick succession. reeling at 107 for 7 needing 5 an over - this would take some winning. Jordan had finally finished sulking and brought his 'A' game to the wicket. Three big sixes, including a whizzing flat six that left many gasping in awe and we were right in the hunt at 158 for 8 with 3 overs left. If Morrison tayed at the crease we would win. He got out trying to win it in style. A fine knock that was almost worthy of the SuBo award. This drought The Don to the crease where he joined Specials Head Allen. We needed 6 from the last two overs, no wickets in hand.

You have to admire The Don's sense of theatre, he played out a maiden.

So six balls, six runs. Dot. Dot. Two. Two. FOUR!!!! Cue wild celebrations from half the people there.

A great game to watch and be part of, as long as you win it. Credit to Tiddy's players, who competed right to the end in great spirit and were unlucky to lose. As I said earlier, sometimes every single run counts.

No room for any complacency at all now though. We very nearly lost a game we should have won comfortably and that is very, very frustrating.

We travel to top of the table Cublington with a few people playing for their places as those in form in lower sides make very strong cases for promotion.

* Todays song title is genius by the way*

The Coin Toss

2011-05-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

A visit to Horspath yesterday. The weather had a menacing, dark foreboding feel about it, rain in the morning meant that covers were still on a pitch that looked like it had been heavily watered.

As the covers were wheeled away it was obvious that this was one toss you needed to win, especially as the forecast was for drying winds and sunshine later in the afternoon.

You can probably guess the rest. Having been asked to bat we were quickly reduced to 70 odd for 7 on a pitch that was near impossible to time anything on and that was offering prodigous seam movement and steepling bounce off a length. Only Matt offered any resistance and ended up being hit at least 7 times for his trouble.

This brought Tom to the crease. Tom may be new to some of you. Remember the name. Not Tom Robinson of 2-4-6-8 Motorway or Glad to Be Gay fame. (We need a nickname for our Tom).

Same name, different M.O. Whether our Tom is Glad To be Gay or not is currently unknown. What we do know is that when he is the zone he is a sight to behold. He swung wildly and effectively and in the process managed to really irritate the Horspath opening bowler. With some support from Phil The Caretaker they took us up to 136. Credit is due to a very good Horspath side for bowling very well in helpful conditions and also for backing there bowlers up with some quality fielding and catching.

Tea was a rather splendid affair, served inside where we could at last shelter from the drizzle and wind.

It was vital that the drizzle and wind continued if we were to stand a chance of defending 136.

We started brightly and Matt took two early wickets. The sun was out by now and the pitch quickly flattened out. Horspath's opening bat played very well to accumulate 72 not out as they easily scored the winning runs with the loss of three wickets.

So, a game that was heavily influenced by the toss. we will never know what may have happened had we won and fielded first so it isn't worth speculating. Instead we must focus on next weeks home game against Tiddington.

Big Yellow Taxi

2011-05-22T11:04:00.000-07:00

I sit down this evening in a far more bucolic mood than last week. The countryside was glorious today, a stroll on the Downs as the wind blustered about and the rain showers scudded past would have been relaxing enough, however basking in the afterglow of yesterday's win has left me with a warm feeling of contentment this evening.

My first visit to Cropredy did not disappoint in any way. A lovely ground moored between the River Cherwell and rolling buttercup strewn fields is what cricket is all about, the sun shone and everything was right. If I could just win a toss for once. I lost the toss. Again.

Invited to bat by Cropredy we set off at a fair lick as the opening bowlers struggled to find line or length. We pushed past 50 at 6 an over before Pritch got a straight one that kept low. Les had a very easy decision to make.

The Judge continued on past 50 for the second time this season before falling to the sucker punch. The umpire struck back. Clearly sensing that, at 118 for 1 we were in danger of batting the home side out of the game. Jules allowed an innocuous loosener to hit his pad. It did not matter that he was playing a shot, was hit outside the line and got a good stride in. He was out on the 'H' of 'How's'...... That is how quickly the finger went up. He took it well!!!!!!!!!!!

Cropredy's 14 year old leggie was bowling beautifully and risks could not afford to be taken by either Bernard or T'Gravy. They pushed the score on and Matt passed 50 and looked in good nick with a steely determination. Bernard departed with the score on 150 odd. He found the only fielder in the deep. He refused to believe his own eyes and stood staring in disbelief as he wished he had hit it either: Straighter, Squarer or harder.

Brockett joined Matt and they accelerated perfectly to 250 odd before Bris was out for 40 odd. Matt then kicked on and went past the ton in style. A superb innings that showed Matt was back to close to his best. The punch of the air released a lot of emotions in all of us. So, declaration made at 275 for 4. Over to Cropredy to see what they could do with their 50 overs.

A special mention has to be made at this point to the fielder who redefined what 'A shocker' is. He would have done no worse had he been dressed in leg irons and boxing gloves. I suspect he will never play cricket again and is now barred from Cropredy. How we smirked.

Cropredy were never in it. An early wicket brought excitement. Hussain batted like he had a flight to catch. As he ran himself out after he had scored his 50 it transpired that he actually had a cab to drive and was not going to miss out on the start of his shift. I kid you not.

He departed, and with him went hope. Sat in the back seat.

Jordan and Jules bowled 26 overs between them, taking 6 wickets for 45 runs. It ripped the heart out of their innings. Ably supported by Matt and a fine a Bernard run out we had them 9 down with 150 needed to win. Could we take the last, vital wicket? The overs ticked by.

Robbie came back on and did his best to hit the outside edge or the stumps. In the end it took an impulsive, wild yahoo! of a shot from the aforementioned shackled boxer. Angry Chris pouched the skier. Cue celebrations..............Hip, Hip Hoo bloomin Ray.

What did we learn?

The top six fired. The opening bowling has room for improvement. And Cropredy will be relegated. I can't wait for next week.

High, wide and handsome

2011-05-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

Good evening brothers (and sisters).

A belated blog this week; it seems that juggling cricket, work and children is not perhaps as easy as I once hoped it might be. The squeeze had a birthday as well, so blame her for the late blogging.

Sadly, there were very few highlights from Saturday's tame performance against the market square heroes from Thame.

Following the toss McStay inserted his own team on what looked like a typical Didcot track. Somehow they racked up 206 from their 53 overs. I am going to gloss over much of our bowling performance, reliving it is too painful. The Judge and The Caretaker found good rhythm and control after an opening burst from the lad Jones had whipped out the first couple of wickets, including a great catch at slip from The Caretaker, who can look forward to many more afternoons bent over between Brockett and The Judge waiting to grab the ball.

Control was elusive for the first 20 overs as a plethora of wides, no balls and byes racked up. 35 of the first 60 runs were extras, enough said. I am sure that some time at the nets will sort out problems with run ups and line. I certainly hope so.

Anyway the spin twins whirled away and wrestled control back, 28 overs, 3 for 91 between them.

Spare a thought for Brockett who had more bruised fingers than Stevie Wonder after a nail the tail on the donkey game at Roy Orbisons 70th birthday party. The pitch was by now starting to misbehave a little, some staying low and some spitting nastily. Thame's Richard Carr wore one on the thumb. He is a native of Malta, and it takes very little to make him cross. Splitting his thumb open actually seemed to calm him down.

Anyway, tea was taken - thank you to Mr and Mrs Bernard. A super spread.

Our innings never really got going, wickets fell regularly until Brocket and Angry Chris put a partnership together to take us to 127 for 5. Both looked comfortable and well in control until the lethal combination of a trigger happy umpire and the demon pitch saw for them both. Good innings from both.

We fell short by 25 runs. Everyone in the top 9 will be thinking that had they gone on with their innings we would have won. That's all it would have taken.

So, lessons learned and plenty of mistakes not to be repeated.

We must, and will, do better against Cropredy.

Oxford Comma

2011-05-09T11:43:00.001-07:00

*Sigh* Good evening pop pickers and welcome to another year of post Saturday musings. I have searched the literary annals for inspiration this year, I look in the mirror and hope to see Ernest Hemingway staring back at me. An inspirational figure who filled his life with travel and adventure, as well as the odd drop of rum and a fat Cohiba. Sadly I see Eddie Hemmings staring back at me. (Nippers had better consult Wikipedia to understand what I mean - a free snake awaits the first person to tell me what his highest test score was).

Is it really that time already? A proper winter this year gave way to a perfect spring and just as we were thinking this can't last; it didn't.

Predictably the rain lashed down on Friday night and our crushing victory of Banbury XX will have to wait 9 weeks.

So, what to do with a spare Saturday so early in the season? I paced about. Shouted at the cats. Threw the cats out. In the rain. Even that didn't lift my black mood. The next logical step was to pick a pointless argument with the squeeze, for it must be her fault that it has rained for the first time in SIX WEEKS. Now, female intuition is a marvellous thing, the squeeze caught me off guard with a preemptive strike and suggested that I head to the Field of Dreams and watch the seconds play. That's why I love her.

Thoroughly enjoyable it was too as I witnessed an absolute mauling of Oxford IV's.

Batting first, Diddy openers Kankadandiandiandiandi and the Judge notched up 70 odd in quick time with a mixture of late cuts, dabs and drives. A splendid start. Pras was the first to fall, gloriously. Santosh hopped to the crease and picked up where Pras left off, some expansive, head in the air drives outside off stump would probably have been very impressive had a connection been made. The pull shots did connect and were stupendous. The ton was up in quick time as Bernard strode manfully to the crease. He stared looking like someone who had been to Austria to hone his skills before starting to look like a batsman and clubbing a marvellous straight six.

Meanwhile the Judge was accumulating a competent half century, never looking troubled, apart from a suicidal single that brought out the best comedy fielding moment of the season so far as Oxford screwed up monumentally - how we laughed.

In a lesson that we can all learn from he then got out when well set for what should have been a fine century. I am sure other opportunities are just around the corner.

Meanwhile AB was moving steadily toward another red inker, the perfect situation for the Accumulator, nudging and nurdling and resolutely turning down down sharp singles until ball six he provided solidity and impetus at the same time. Joined for the final 8 overs by Rob "I have a BMW, have I told you?" Keat they pushed the score up to 248 for 4. Rob delivered exactly what he has threatened to just when he needed to. He can rightfully claim the outside lane of the motorway as his own now.

Oxford got off to a solid start before Northern Gravy was rewarded for a fine spell of medium paced bowling with the first wicket.

The match seemed to be drifting until the introduction of Footpenis who found the just the right spot on the wicket, combined with his stature (he is only 4ft 2" tall) he found a couple of shooters and before he knew had 4 for not many, ripping the middle order out. Meanwhile Sam Baldrick had a cunning plan; bowling with fine control and prodigious turn he mopped up most of the lower oder and finished with a 4fer that was well deserved. Jones returned and pinned back the off stump of number 11 and it was all over. 25 points and not quite six o'clock.

Hopefully I will actually be playing next Saturday rather than cursing the weather, until then...........

Skip

You Better You Bet

2010-08-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

Good evening. I start this penultimate blog of the season with grave news that will shock some of you and confirm some deep rooted suspicions in others

I have spent the day locked in interviews with The Cherwell League executive, ICC representatives and The Police.

Apparently irregular betting patterns were detected involving yesterdays match against Great Tew. A Far Eastern bookmaker based in Leighton Buzzard took two bets on Friday. The princely sum of £4.82 was placed on an accumulator bet that a run out would occur in the 43rd over of the Didcot innings followed by the dropping of a dolly catch in the 2nd over of the Great Tew innings. I cannot make any official comment but want to strenuously deny that these events are in any way linked. A similar dropped catch at Shipton the week before is also under investigation.

Yesterdays match was remarkable in that nothing remarkable happened, at all. The pitch was wet. Almost wet enough to cancel the match before we started. It was imperative that I won the toss and we bowled first. I lost and we batted. I know, I know; I only have one job to do and I got that wrong.

Pritch and Vish got us off to a great start, again bringing up 50 without loss. The ball kept low and stopped and we couldn't cope with the nagging accuracy of the Tew attack. Only Pritch passed 30. We were all out for 128 with nothing of note happening with the exception of a surprise run out in the 43rd over.

A splendid tea was consumed, homemade chicken tikka being a particular feature along with pavlova and a scrumptious selection of cakes.

We knew that Tew had a fragile batting line up and that with early wickets and scoreboard pressure this was still a game we could win. The pitch now seemed more even paced although batting still wasn't easy. Nothing of note happened in the first few overs with the exception of a dropped dolly catch in the 2nd over.

The spin twins applied said scoreboard pressure and were then backed up with some smart catching from 'showboat' Bernard and The Judge. The wickets didn't come early enough for us ever to feel like we were really in the hunt and Tew won by 5 wickets with plenty of time to spare. Not really a day to remember.

Results elsewhere guarantee us 3rd spot in Division 5.

The tour continues despite calls for lifetime bans and slapped legs. We travel to the wastelands of Brackley next week knowing that the result may still influence who plays in Division 5 next season. Don't bet against it.

Nice Weather For Ducks

2010-08-22T11:21:00.000-07:00

I am starting with a musical recommendation this week. Those of you not familiar with Lemon Jelly are IMHO missing out on some classic downtempo English electronic wizardry. Check out '64-95' and Lost Horizons. Near perfect albums, both of them. My favourite is 'Ramblin' Man'. I defy anyone not to be inspired to travel and also be left with a feeling of wistful neglect that there are so many places yet to be visited.

Of course I only mention this for two reasons; most important is to hopefully encourage someone to discover Lemon Jelly and be inspired; also they wrote 'Nice Weather For Ducks' and I am a lover of the clumsy segue because that is exactly what it was yesterday, both literally and metaphorically.

We traveled to Shipton, 33 points above us, knowing that we needed our 'A' game and a slice of luck with the weather to have any chance of overhauling them and taking second place. At 74 for 0 chasing 185 to win hopes were high...........

Having called correctly we asked Shipton to have a bat. Matt bowled better than I have seen him for about 5 years, hostile and with prodigious movement off the seam (I was glad I had won the toss and we weren't batting). We had them at 23 for 4, all clean bowled by The Gravy. An honourable mention to The Don who also bowled beautifully but with no luck, on another day he would have taken five.

We took our foot off of their throat courtesy of two dropped catches, shamefully I was one of the culprits shelling an easy chance at slip. It is still haunting me this evening.

Shipton clawed their way to 103 before the next wicket as The Judge beat the defence of Shipton's Skipper. His mystery ball accounted for the next hapless soul and we were back on again. Wickets fell and runs were scored and Shipton ended on 184 for 9. We would have settled for that at the start, but it was 60 more than they should have got. Those damned dropped catches had cost us again. Matt finished with 7 for 60 and rightly lead us from the field to a tea as inspiring as the weather.

Pritch and Vish opened and gave us the perfect start rattling up 74 for the first wicket at more than 4 an over. It looked like we would canter home. Pritch departed after a stylish, confident 51, he knows he should have made it a ton but cannot be blamed for what happened next. We slumped to 87 for 5, including 4 ducks to add to Shiptons 3 (you see where I am going now?). Yet agin we had been undone by bowlers who simply bowl straight. Whether you call it filth or dibbly dobblers makes no difference. It was highly effective and too good for our middle order. At the other end Vish held firm. The run rate plummeted and we were well behind the pace as the rain started. It didn't stop. Game over.

The harsh reality is we don't deserve to finish second. Shipton and Tew have been better than us this season. We have two games left with pride to play for. With the exception of two players we have underperformed this year. I hope that the final two matches will see a few of us proving a few points and taking 50 points.

I Can't Stand The Rain

2010-08-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

Hands Up, Baby Hands Up, Gimme Your Heart, Gimme, Gimme Your Heart, Gimme Gimme.

As a lyric this cannot have taken long to write. Jean Patrick, the lead singer of Ottowan is still touring in Russia where he is much loved and hasn't paid for a drink or a meal since September 1980 such is the idolatry . Ottowan also penned the disco classic, D.I.S.C.O.

She is D, desirable
She is I, irresistible
She is S, super sexy
She is C, such a cutie
She is O, oh, oh, oh

Ottowan spent even less time on the lyrics to this. Quite frankly Jean Patrick annoys me.

Anyhow, hands up who likes rain? Strangely the answer is probably about 50:50. The seconds profited enormously yesterday on a day when only a handful of matches produced a result. And what a result it was. Victory has increased the lead at the top to 34 points. Two more wins and it is time to start the celebrations.

Thirds and fourths were abandoned without a ball being bowled.

The field of dreams hosted half of what may have turned out to be a cracking game. The rain robbed us of what I am sure would have been another victory.

Invited to bat first under leaden skies and light drizzle my hopes were not high that we would get more than a few overs in. The instructions were simple: get out there and score quickly to set up an early declaration. The Judge and Peter Pan duly obliged and we had 50 on the board in 11 overs just as the sun came out. The now drying pitch started to misbehave a little and batting suddenly became much harder as the ball stopped and popped. 54 for 0 turned into 91 for 6 with only Pritch making a decent contribution of 40.

The Banbarians simply bowled straight and just back of a length and let the ball do the rest. Three of our top order got out playing across the line before they had worked out the pace. Now we were in a spot of bother and the declaration was a non starter as the sun continued to shine.

This mini crisis needed our fittest, leanest, most agile and lithe men. Sadly they were already out so it got Pingu and Skip. These two elderly men prodded around and rode their luck a bit and wore down the Banbarians with obdurate defence and delicate dabbing. The score inched above 120. We decided to have a crack at the spinner and all of a sudden we were above 140 on a pitch that would get harder to bat on. We both got out with 5 overs to go but had taken the score to par on this pitch.

The Don strode out to join The Caretaker in the middle having never scored a run for Didcot before. It would be inaccurate of me to say that he never looked like getting out. He did however show determination and fight and was able to let The Caretaker have plenty of the strike. The last 5 overs added 34 crucial runs to take us to 183 for 9. Jordan played superbly. He bludgeoned a couple of cracking fours and two sixes, including one from the last ball of the innings for the second time this season. A great knock, and one he looked like he enjoyed. Jim scored his first runs. His record of never getting out is also intact.

We all enjoyed a splendid tea provided by Jules and Emma. The turkey and cranberry rolls were especially fine. Amazingly the sun was still shining.

Soon afterwards the sun wasn't shining anymore. The heavens opened. We lost over an hour. Time was killed quizzing, with Peter Pan in his element as Bob Holness. It was a shame to bring the quiz to an end just as Brockett was displaying the unfathomable depths of his knowledge about Boy Bands. Who would have thought?

Sadly we only had time for 2 overs before the heavens opened again. Enough time to take one Banbury wicket.

The rain didn't stop and we shook hands. It was a pleasure to play a team that wanted to play for once. Too often this season the oppo. have looked for any excuse to call it a day early. Banbury were a credit to themselves for the spirit in which they approached the day.

Finishing second is going to be quite a challenge now. We simply must beat Shipton next week.

Goin' Through The Motions

2010-08-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

Good evening one and all. A double helping of all things Didcot today. Last weekend was rather busy in the Gates household what with a cricket match and a wedding to squeeze in.

You know that saying 'If you can remember the '60's, you weren't there'? It's a reference to the amount of character altering chemical compounds consumed during the decade that gave birth to everything good in life. I can't remember much about last weekend, it is a blur of bubbles, cigar smoke and a snowman nose.

To be honest there wasn't much to report on last weeks game at home to Bledlow Ridge. To be honest there isn't much to report on yesterdays game either. Both matches had a sense of inevitability to them that started before a ball had been bowled. The only tension was at the coin toss really.

Having called correctly and invited Ridge to bat we duly set about the top order and soon had them at 45 for 5 with 3 wickets for The Gravy and 2 for Sean Cronje. Spectacular catches from The Judge and Showboat Pritchard backing up great opening spells from both bowlers. A period of consolidation from Ridge got them 92 before the fall of the sixth wicket when Cookie removed the unconventional Needham (we later learned he plays a lot of hockey) Laurel and Hardy joined the fun and The Gravy ended with 4 for 33 as Ridge withered to 123 All Out.

The chase was uneventful with Pritch and The Judge putting on 48 for the first wicket leaving Gravy and Cookie (doing his best Chris Tavare impression) to finish off. An 8 wicket victory achieved without ever needing to get out of second gear.

We travelled under dark, foreboding skies to Nondescripts yesterday knowing that a winning toss would all but guarantee a victory. It did.

In an almost carbon copy of the previous week we had Nondies at 39 for 5 with 3 for The Bisto kid and two for Stimpo. We lost 4 overs for rain and set off again with Nondies 6 down. A strange batting display from their top order. They appeared to have technical ability but were unable to concentrate for longer than about 10 minutes and ended up getting out just as they appeared comfortable, going for the big glory shot. Ahmed managed to get his knickers in a twist about something or other and duly tripped over them. He was still muttering about something only he heard hours later. Play the ball you muppet.

A wicket apiece for The Don, The Judge and The Caretaker (Le don, le juge, le gardien - a film by Luc Besson, coming to a cinema near you?). Stimpo finished off the tail to finish with 4 for 30 from 11 overs. 122 all out wasn't going to cause us any problems unless the rain intervened.

We set off at a clip and rattled up 60 for the first wicket, Pritch making a fluent 34. Brockett soon joined The Judge and they both carried their bats on the way to an 8 wicket win. Bris finishing on 42 and Jules on 34. Home and hosed by 6.10 we headed south to the FoD to watch the end of the seconds victory.

A stiffer test awaits next week as we welcome Banbury to the FoD. A must win game. At this stage of the season no one has scored a ton yet. Surely it is well overdue.

Wounded Knee

2010-07-25T00:49:00.000-07:00

Good morning pop pickers and welcome to my last ever blog. As a single man that is. Some days I sit here searching far and wide in an attempt to dredge some nuggets of interest from the previous days cricketing fayre. This week there was no such problem after a day filled with incident, drama and nearly 600 runs.

We were on the road again, this time at Tiddington. My first visit to a lovely little ground, or at least that is how it looked when I arrived. Little did I know that it hides a dark, dark secret.

Winning the toss for the first time in a little while I had no hesitation in asking Tiddington to bat, a mistake of Hussain like proportions? Maybe.

There were very few highlights in our bowling and fielding performance as Tiddington racked up 310 for 7. There opener carried his bat on his way to an unbeaten 150. A classy knock with shots all around the wicket. He was well supported and made the most of a cracking track. We bowled with discipline and rarely looked ragged with the ball. A couple of spilt chances had they been taken may have restricted the score to under 300. Sometimes you have to give credit where it is due and say well batted.

The whole innings was marred by a nasty injury to Vish. For the first time I saw a cricketer leave the ground in an ambulance. Something I never want to see again. Showing 100% dedication to the Didcot cause Vish chased the ball to the boundary in an attempt to stop 4 overthrows, he slid into what we all assumed were painted wooden boundary boards. They were concrete. The thud was sickening. He didn't move. We all instantly knew it was bad.

Vish is in hospital today. Our hearts are with you little buddy.

Tea was a splendid affair featuring homemade chocolate bon-bons, homemade sausage rolls and ice lollies. Nathans melons were splendid also. (Thame: take note, there are shops not far away that sell food and milk).

Chasing 310 to win sets some challenges. Cookie set off like a train. He was super focused and in great nick. Tiddington weren't quite sure what to do and I felt went defensive with the field placings way too early. 5 fielders on the boundary after 6 overs when you have over 300 on the board is super defensive. Not surprisingly runs dried up. When we did find the boundary a fielder was instantly moved out to cut off the runs. I know that it isn't easy getting the balance right but sometimes you have to risk losing to win a game like this.

We accumulated runs none the less with contributions from everyone in the middle order. Bernard had his best innings in a Didcot shirt and proved that the £2.5M spent on his sojourn down under was money well spent. He mixed solid defense and careful shot selection with powerful clean hitting to notch up 95 from only 84 balls. He was well caught on the boundary, had this gone for 6 his second fifty would have taken him 24 balls. Well done Bernard.

This rousing display of power cricket lifted the Diddy spirits and when combined with Thatchers cider on draft was reminiscent of Taunton in the 80's with Viv and Botham at the crease. Splendid.

Incidentally, can anyone name three Nik Kershaw (star of the 80's) hits? There is a special prize waiting for anyone who actually reads this and posts an answer.

We ended on 268 for 6. Could we have won it? Maybe. Life is full of if's, buts and maybe's.

So, we return to the Field of Dreams next week after an extended break. I am looking forward to returning home. A few questions may be answered next week.

Can Bernards tea match his batting prowess? Will the phantom bunny concealer make an appearance? Who will fill Vish's (tiny) shoes? Will we get to see the wheelchair ramp used?

All will be revealed in a weeks time.....................

Hungry Like The Wolf

2010-07-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

I am happy to report that the firsts recorded their first away win of the season yesterday at Thame.

Put in to bat on what looked like a sporting wicket with plenty of grass and some suspicious looking filled in patches didn't inspire much confidence. Two early wickets and the doom mongers were muttering about how we can't win away from home. At 56 for 7 with the ball cutting and seaming around corners combined with low and slow bounce it looked like we would do well to make it past the 68 we rolled Thame over for earlier this season.

It is not often that the skip gets in to bat with time to play himself in, let alone with 27 overs left. He was due a knock after about 4 years in the wilderness. With a sense of timing normally reserved for passing comets (they only come past once or twice every century) he dug deep, relishing the attritional nature and lack of pressure to score quickly. Joined by The Caretaker as the ninth wicket fell at 85 they put on 41 in an unbroken partnership that gave us a a total to bowl at. It was The Caretakers best innings this season and the skips best for more than 15 years.

Tea passed without incident or enjoyment; I mean who runs out of milk so that 3 cups of tea have to be shared? Pathetic.

Thame rarely appear to be 'up for it' and yesterday they looked even less interested than normal. Half their team stayed in the pavilion watching the golf. No supporting from the boundary from this lot.

This lack of interest and dysfunctional behaviour is pure gold for us. Early wickets from Morne and Northern Gravy had Thame reeling and out of the game at 11 for 4. This rapidly turned in to 19 for 7. Morne bowled slow medium pace cutters and was unplayable ending with 3 for 8 from 10 overs. Matt simply bowled full and straight and let the ball do the talking as he ended with 6 for 19.

We didn't drop a catch either. Nice.

Only two of Thame's side offered any sort of resistance with the unfortunate Richard Carr spooning a slow full toss straight to midwicket from Cookie. His departure ended any hope Thame had of pulling off an unlikely win as they were all out for 80.

Perhaps we needed a game like this to put some fire back in our belly. Results elsewhere went our way and finishing second is back in our hands now.

Next week we travel to Tiddington and need to be ravenously hungry for the 25 points. We must fight for every run and wicket like our very lives depend on it.

Nothing less than 100% effort is acceptable. I am looking for proof from every player that they want to win this league. No more excuses.

Frustration

2010-07-11T11:20:00.001-07:00

It's back to the 70's tonight pop pickers. A decade that has left a lasting impression on popular culture. Who could forget Sweet, Mud, The Seekers and of course The Prodigy. Happy times.

Beer was about 10p a pint, petrol hadn't even been invented and a mobile phone was actually cemented into every street corner and painted red. You could leave your back door open as well in them days. People actually went to the pub to have a drink rather than a crayfish tossed in a balsamic reduction. I still enjoy a pickled egg in a bag of salt 'n' vinegar; mind, it is difficult to find a pub that sells pickled eggs these days. Progress, pah.

1974 witnessed the peak of The Drifters meteoric career. Born in Braintree before the 1960's The Drifters shuffled about aimlessly for years before Their chart smash 'Kissin in the Back Row of the Movies' sold 58 million copies in a week in the UK alone, it knocked 'Tiger Feet' off the top spot and started a feud between the two bands that was only settled 6 months later in a pub car park with bike chains and cudgels. (Mud won, obviously).

This song was a firm favourite in the Perera household. Viraj was bored of glam rock and had recently sold his platform shoes and silver jumpsuit. The easy listening, saucy, Drifters were an obvious replacement.

History doesn't record whether Jimmy Perera was present to watch The Drifters perform a barnstorming set at Swindon Oasis in 2008. All that is recorded is that a bolster cushion was requested to enable a small boy to see his favourite band. You can draw your own conclusions.

Challow visited the Field of Dreams and ruined a perfectly splendid day. How a side can be buoyed by such negative, dull aspirations is beyond me.

They fulfilled their dreams by not being in the game for even one ball and clung on by the skin of their teeth, nine down and 70 runs short. This sort of toss is what ruins cricket as a sport.

We were invited to bat first on the now traditional bowlers graveyard. Everyone got a few runs, Jimmy going on to notch up another half century. Is it time to kick on and pass that ton? I think so. Cookie and Bernard batted brilliantly and we added 100 runs between over 37 and 47, eventually ending on 257.

We were all reminded of what we missed from Dan Alderson on his return to Didcot.

Tea was spectacular. I have never seen so many varied homemade cakes. A stunning effort from Sarah Broughton that raises the bar to previously undreamed of levels. The Usain Bolt of cricket teas? I think so.

The Challow innings is hardly worthy of note. I wouldn't have bothered writing a single word had it not been for the introduction of Brought Filth for a simply stunning spell of 3 overs that saw him take his first ever First Team Cherwell League wickets. Ending with figures of 2 for 72 from 3 overs. I wish I could say he swung the game our way. I can't. Challow resorted to patting back slow full tosses and didn't even run for leg byes. My only hope is that they broke down or had a puncture on the way home.

After the match Jimmy rushed off to strap on his platform boots and head down the Roxy. The rest of us ate more pavlova and tried to forget a miserable afternoon.

Beer & Sex & Chips 'n' gravy

2010-07-04T12:01:00.000-07:00

Good evening blog fans. You find me in a considerably more convivial mood this week. Last Sunday was pregnant with opportunity; everything was lined up ready for a momentous day. Plenty of cold beer and wine, BBQ fired up, outlaws popping round later in the afternoon.

The World Cup really has been dull this year, hasn't it? Or am I just becoming old and cynical? Anyway Capello and his bunch of pampered, under achieving millionaires fulfilled their potential absolutely. Has there been a more inevitable and disappointing end to anything since The Roman Empire slipped into The Dark Ages?

The Field of Dreams welcomed the auld enemy again yesterday as Brackley's finest visited us for the fifth consecutive year. It has been one of the spicier fixtures in recent years. This year was different however. I can't remember a better bunch of players, and has there ever been a better visiting umpire than Dennis? I can't remember one. It just shows what happens when the village idiot misses the bus and spends the day marrying his cousin.

Skip won the toss and invited Brackley to have a bat. We started well with a wicket in the first over, Gravy was quicker than normal and ripped out the off stump. He continued to bowl with vim and vigour, catching the outside edge on at least three occasions. Only one went to hand (actually left breast) and was spilled. A now trademark sharp catch from The Judge and another direct hit from the Lost Boy for a run out and Brackley were 50 odd for 3. Brackleys number three is a class bat and was in great nick until he slapped a wide one to Pritch in t'covers for a sharp catch. 77 for 4. Was there anything to come from Brackley? Yes. But not enough. Cartwright Jnr. batted beautifully for 79 and was the last wicket to fall. His best innings against us, for sure. Nobody could stay with him long enough to post a competitive total. The Judge accounted for the dangerous Cartwright Snr. with a smart catch from Brockett.

Northern Gravy did the damage, ending with 6 for 56. His best spell so far this season. He even carried on after he had split his webbing. The man is an inspiration.

183 was 50 short of par at Chennai. Our run chase was un-eventful. Exactly the sort of run chase I enjoy the most. The Lost Boy anchored our innings. Having been dropped on nought he punished Brackley by carrying his bat on the way to 71. Vish never looked like getting out and was particularly severe on his older brother (bowling for Brackley for the first time).

A couple of (Word Up) cameo knocks from the cod piece wearing Jones and Cook saw us home with an hour or so to spare.

A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon then. I am already licking my lips in anticipation of next week.

Dirk Wears White Socks

2010-06-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

Like Guinness, good things come to those who wait. This could be a metaphor for how to bat at The Field of Dreams or it could be an apology for the tardiness of this weeks blog. It appears there is a small group of sad, desperate men in South Oxfordshire whose Sunday is not complete without a fix of post match analytical ramblings mashed together with oblique references to song titles. To you I apologise profusely.

Saturday started with the now oft exploited and written about trip to West London to oggle at SJM and participate in Cricket AM. I thoroughly enjoyed it , particularly meeting Dirty Dirk Nannes. What a cracking guy, I imagine he would be highly entertaining on an all day session, preferably in his native Amsterdam.

So, what of Shipton? Are they better than us? Can we beat confident, capable, experienced sides?

We didn't make them work hard enough, that is for sure. I believe that Didcot on top form are a better side, and certainly well capable of beating teams like Shipton; full of experience and talent and most importantly confidence.

The weather was like Chester le Street on Saturday, the pitch straight outta Chennai. What has happened to the bouncy, pacey square of a few years ago? The only danger was playing shots too early in an innings, once you get the measure of the pace you could bat for a week and not see a ball spin or seam. The new league balls lose any hardness after about 7 overs and cannot be shined for love nor money. Who'd be a bowler?

Shipton racked up 257 for 5, pacing their innings beautifully, had we not dropped their skipper on 13 (twice) we may have restricted them to 30 less or so. He went on to make 98 not out, batting nearly 50 overs. We toiled, heavy with fatigue and post stardom blues. I think we actually did reasonably well all things considered.

Our run chase never quite gained the momentum we needed to seriously threaten Shipton. Skipper Gates was torn between playing safe and not letting Shipton open up a points gap by beating us. With hindsight perhaps we should have played more aggressively. Last weeks capitulation to Banbury was still playing on my mind and I didn't want us to lose two on the Jonathan.

The real positive was Crab Hands return to form. The best he has looked for a couple of years, welcome back Matt, let's hope the form continues. The big stride and effortless push through extra cover was back, as was the on drive and whip to midwicket. Brockett batted beautifully also, never looking in trouble once he got his feet moving and ended with a tidy 42 not out.

So, what did we learn?

Enough sleep and lack of distractions before the start are important. That three an over for the first 30 overs is fine, so long as you have wickets in hand. Catches win matches (again). Don't hit the ball to the one fielder in the deep when you have an ocean of space around him.

A big game next week at table topping Tew awaits us. I will be getting an early night on Friday, getting up focused and arriving at Tew in plenty of time for a decent warm up.

What about you?

Sunday Blues

2010-06-13T11:53:00.000-07:00

It had to happen at some point I suppose, the unbeaten record, held for 22 games, ended yesterday at Banbury as the firsts fell to a 2 wicket defeat.

Asked to bat first, we never got going, losing wickets regularly we limped to a total of 106. Many of us batted for the first time this season and it looked like it too. The Banbury pitch played well and we were undone by consistently good bowling that saw 7 of us clean bowled. The only player to look comfortable was The Judge who drove imperiously on his way to 30 odd before running himself out. I think I will gloss over the rest of the innings.

Defending 106 is never going to be easy and requires self belief as well as great bowling and fielding. We created intense pressure throughout the Banbarians innings; fielders round the bat with plenty of chirp from the new "Most annoying player in the Cherwell League". Cookie talked himself hoarse with some of the most banal yet entertaining drivel heard for a long time. The 40 minute spell before tea had them two down with a wicket each for Stimpo and Cookie.

We attacked with the spinners straight after the break taking another 6 wickets before they reached the victory target.

A quality performance in the field part compensated for the disappointment, in reality we were at least 50 runs short and didn't deserve to win a game batting like that. A more positive approach would have won have got us the runs we needed and the tentative, defensive approach was old Didcot from two years ago.

We must, and will respond for the visit of table topping Shipton next weekend.

I hate losing.

That Smell

2010-06-06T04:01:00.000-07:00

What is your favourite James Bond film? If it is Moonraker or The Living Daylights, leave now. You disgust me.

I have a soft spot for Live and Let Die. Roger Moore and Jane Seymour have a certain chemistry; there is the New Orleans Jazz vibe; the spitting law enforcement officer and of course the sinister top hat wearing bald voodoo witch doctor rising out of the grave.

Some voodoo magic was visited on the Field of Dreams yesterday (possibly).

The scent of victory was in everyones nostrils before the match started yesterday for the visit of basement side, Nondescripts. They had lost all their matches and we expected to win.

Having won the toss we invited Nondies to have a bat on a wicket that looked full of runs. They never broke free of the shackles as we took wickets regularly and kept things tight in the field. Northern Gravy bowled with no luck again but should have had at least 3 wickets. Laurel and Hardy mixed containment and attack in the middle of the innings and took 4 wickets between them; 2 smart catches for the boyman Perera, a great tumbling catch from Tee Kay and a smart run out from The Caretaker being the highlights. Stimpo was the pick of the bowling, ending up with 4 for 26, including the top three. I can smell a fivfer is on the way as Jack improves every week. He out thought every batsman yesterday.

Some particularly good cheese and onion sandwiches were eaten as part of a fine tea in the oppressive heat before we set about chasing a target 100 short of what was needed.

It was during tea that the voodoo curse struck. Was it revenge for last seasons humane dispatch of a a rabbit by Skipper Gates coming back to haunt him? I don't know. What I do know is that I have spent a few hours this morning washing and disinfecting all my kit and I have had to buy a new cap.

We set about the chase with a real purpose as The Judge and Jimmy Perera put on 40 odd for the first wicket at 5 an over. Vish was joined by Matt as they took the score to 119. Vish again batted beautifully scoring his 70 from only 88 balls, including 14 boundaries. The rest was a formality as Cookie and Matt saw us home in a little over 30 overs and we were done and dusted by 6pm.

Results elsewhere mean that we are top with 10 points more than at this stage last year. The next four weeks are critical for us, and nothing less than 100 points from these games is acceptable.

News from elsewhere: The seconds had a bad day (more below), the thirds had a good day(see earlier blog) and the fourths recorded their first victory to leave them mid table.

The challenge for all three sides seems to be finding consistency and a run of three victories for any of them will see them challenging at the top of their respective divisions

Disappointing outing for the 2nds!

Seconds were out at Great Tew and were beaten convincingly by 6 wickets. Didcot didn’t have a good day defending their total of 202 for 6.

Didcot batted first and scored 202 for 6 in their 45 overs. Great Tew bowling attack was accurate and Didcot lost both the openers when the total was 32. Then came a 102 partnership between Brad Lynch (61) and Chris Parsons 33. Both batted very sensibly and should have gone to score much more; Chris playing a ‘lazy’ shot was caught at square leg and Brad got himself run out. Andy Griffiths chipped in with 16 and Ross Fryatt was not out on 22. With wickets in hand we could have pushed it a bit further, may be!

There wasn’t anything in the wicket but accurate bowling was required as Great Tew did.

Didcot didn’t have a good day in the bowling and fielding department. However there were some positives; we did take 4 catches, Jose Taboada at slip in the third (4^th?) attempt, Rob Keat at covers, Andy Griffiths at covers a diving catch woken up by his team mates shouting ‘catch’, and an excellent diving catch by Ross Fryatt behind the stumps. If we did take the other catches as well things might have been different. The batsmen who was 55 not out was dropped twice!

Bowling wasn’t as accurate as Great Tew. Although we took a couple of wickets early on they came at a price.

Andy Griffiths took two wickets but at a cost. Rob Keat took 2 wickets not cheap either but he created the chances that we missed.

Sam Smith and Carl Hancock bowled well but were unlucky not to pick-up any wickets, especially Carl’s 6 over spell was fiery and accurate missed the edge 90% of the time.

Disappointing day out, only collecting 8 points for the day’s work. Hopefully lessons learnt and better things will follow soon!

It's raining, men.

2010-05-30T01:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was one of those days when you really learn a lot about your team; their attitude and will to win are tested. As is patience and ability to conjure up some fun out of a frustrating afternoon.

The firsts travelled to Bledlow Ridge, perhaps some more in hope than anticipation. New ground for all of us, I think. Perched on top of a ridge (unsurprisingly), and above Bledlow too. Amazing!!

It really is a picture; tree lined and with views all around over beautiful countryside. On a sunny Saturday it would be one of the best places to play cricket anywhere. Sadly we arrived in a cloak of drizzle that only permitted occasional views and showed little sign of lifting.

Luckily 12 people wanted to play a game of cricket, fortunately one of them was Ridge Captain, John Rolfe.

Diddymen will always make the best out of any situation so the playfair cricket quiz book came out as Simon (I'll have a P Bob) Pritchard did his best to confuse with a quiz that seemed to be themed on providing the answer to a question slightly different to the one asked. We had a session of beat the intro on iphones that provided further proof of the gulf in taste and class between todays callow youth and us veterans who were around when they made proper music. (Note to said callow youth: try listening to music where a) guitars feature prominently, b) Someone in the band wrote the music and words, c) they use a drum and a bass, not drum n' bass.)

The oppo. were locked in their changing room to stop them all going home; they made occasional appearances to moan about the rain and complain that we should all have gone home hours ago.

Skipper Gates remained ruthlessly positive throughout, insisting that it would brighten up and that we would go on to record a famous victory.

A rather splendid tea was taken at twenty past three, Sir Mel of Cookshire attempting to beat the record for the tallest pile of sandwiches record set by Brockett at Sandford last year. Forget it Mel, that record will stand for ever.

Anyway, we finally got some cricket started at ten to four, Gates calling correctly and inviting Ridge to have a bat for up to 40 overs, leaving us with 20 to try and beat their total. Incidentally can anyone else imagine a more ridiculous way to split 60 overs?

I felt that restricting them to 150 would be a par score and anything less was very gettable. We were still full of energy and raring to go. Ridge started positively before the Caretaker took a smart catch at square leg from the bowling of Morne, who again looked threatening and kept things very tight. Northern Gravy flew down the hill, the wind at his back. I lost count of the number of times he was edged over the slips or beat the outside edge. Matt accounted for numbers 3 and 4 to leave Ridge on 66 for 3. Top bowling Bongo.

Cookie replaced Morne and took the edge 3 times in his first over, meanwhile Ridge opener Brooks had scored a neat half century and was looking like he might go on to make things difficult for us. We needn't have worried as Cookie threw down his deadly half volley again and it was spooned weakly to Morne at mid off.

Ridge were looking less and less up for it with every passing moment, searching the heavens for divine intervention is a risky strategy for winning games of cricket, much better to stay positive and focus in my book. Sure enough our strategy seemed to work as Cookie took another 3 wickets in 6 balls with two exceptional catches from Bris whilst standing up. Even better when you factor in a painful and stiff knee. Well done Brockett, I love the commitment you showed yesterday. Cookie finished with 4 for 13 from his 7 overs, another top spell from the 'Westlife fan of the year (2008)'.

We had enough time for one over from the caretaker, who turned one through the gate to leave Ridge on 103 for 8 from 31 overs. The heavens opened at this point and we trudged off knowing that was it for the day. The naysayers and doom mongers were, I suppose proved right. We could have gone home at 1pm and achieved the same 6 points.

We were born and raised to play cricket however, and that is what we will do until the great man in the sky (Sir Viv), prises the ball from our bony lifeless hands many years from now.

Until next week, Cricket fans

Young Guns

2010-05-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hey sucker what the hells got into you?

I wonder what contorted thoughts were whirling around George's mind as he wrote these lines back before most of you were born. George was an icon to an impressionable teenager; the big hair, sports wear and matey heterosexuality were an intoxicating mixture for someone brought up in Devizes.

I couldn't have guessed what the deeper meaning of 'I'm Your Man' was at the time. Where did it all go wrong George? You could have had your pick of either Pepsi or Shirlie and instead went down an altogether different path.

Summer arrived yesterday and hopefully it is here to stay, most things are better with the sun on your back, cricket is most definitely one of them.

The men of Tiddington were welcomed to the Field of Dreams in what promised to be our first real test of the season. Tiddy are a decent side but ending up being out played and outfought by Diddy.

Putting them in to bat on a hot, sticky afternoon can make you unpopular as a Captain, nobody enjoys running around when they could be sat in the cool of the changing room. The bowlers responded without complaint and we had them at 64 for 5 with two wickets for Stimpo and The Judge with one for Crabby. The next 16 overs yielded a mere 37 runs with no wickets. It was a little dull to be honest; Tiddy just shut up shop and seemed to be batting for an imaginary draw before they realised that they were batting first and finally woke up. The next 10 overs was a calypso carnival of wild, reckless shots played with a gay abandon. 23 runs were scored.

We did take 4 wickets though, The Caretaker serving up an irresistible mixture of cleverly flighted stuff with late dip and drift thrown into the mix. He threw down the odd pie as well to keep them honest. They didn't have the stomach for the pies and managed to hit them tamely straight to us. I was tempted to call one of them back after he hit his first ball (a slow long hop) limply to square leg. It didn't seem fair that someone get out that way. I didn't of course.

A flurry at the end would set us a target of 157 to win before Stimpo finished off the tail.

After a superb tea taken picnic style of the grass we were ready to set about the chase. Tiddy's opening bowler had a rear end that would have made Fred Trueman proud and George Michael's heart race. He blustered in, huffed and puffed and generated good pace and accuracy with movement as well. Pritch was the only one to stay with Vish for any sort of a partnership, hitting a couple of lusty maximums on the way to a quick fire 23. We found ourselves at 58 for 5 and in a spot of bother. I can truly say that I wasn't worried though, I never doubted we would come through.

Vishane hadn't looked troubled at all, his will to keep on going, never altering his processes and always having the toughness of mind to wear his opponents down. He was like a gladiator, repelling everything thrown at him, he couldn't be tempted to throw it away. He was an inspiration to the rest of us.

He was joined by Broughtie who did what he does best, he nurdled, cajoled and coaxed the ball. Is he the Collingwood of Didcot? It was certainly a nuggety performance.

We beat them by 5 wickets. Didcot's Young Guns had done the business for us. Step up Jack Stimpson - 3 for 29; Jordan Morrison - 4 for 27 and most impressively Vishane Perera with 76 not out.

Please spare a thought for Lord Brockett who has been next man in in all three games so far and has cumulatively spent 65 overs padded up. Your time will come next week - I promise!

No report from the 2nds and 4ths yet, I can report that Viraj's Army is still top after taking 16 points from a game they dominated. Birkinshaws Brigade are improving week on week and are mid table despite losing a close game yesterday

Witney Mills 2nds scored the winning runs with 2 balls to go to beat the 3rds. Batting first, Didcot scored 194 for 8 in their 45 overs. Haydn found his 2009 form and top scored with 41, although lucky to be dropped in the slips when still on 0. Sam C proved once again that he is a genuine all rounder with a classy 33 and Jose and Santosh both scored 28. Jose decided to score most of his runs through extra cover, they finally caught him after the sixth lofted drive and Santosh was so upset at being caught off their dibbly dobbly 60 year old bowler, his bat was flung to the floor in disgust before the ball had even been caught.

In reply Witney got off to a flyer with the 50 coming up in the 9th over. Robbie bowled with great pace and hostility but the faster it came at them, the faster it was going to the boundary. Les bowled excellently in his 3rd team debut before an injury forced him out of the attack after 3 overs. DP helped slow down the run rate and then the introduction of Mike brought immediate rewards with the opener caught behind with his third ball. This brought out their star batsman, Richard Tilly who took a fancy to the bowling and continued to keep the score board ticking over. Sam Couldrick picked up the other opener in his first over, stumped by Elvis, and with Witney 116 for 2 we were into the tail! Robbie came back into the attack and clean bowled the next two to finish with 2-58 and Mick picked up another, 2-44. The star of the bowlers was Sam who collected another three wickets including Tilly when he was on 89. Sam finished with figures of 4 for 33 from 12 overs, an outstanding display. However Didcot could not pick up the final 2 wickets and lost in the final over.

Witney's top three batsman scored, 17, 53 and 89. The highest score from the next seven was 6 and had we only been able to hold onto some of the chances that they gave early on, it could have been a completely different result. The ground fielding was much better than last week and the batting and bowling was much improved as well. Catches win matches the saying goes....yesterday we confirmed it is correct!!

Tame

2010-05-16T13:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's tea at the field of dreams was influenced by Jimi Hendrix and the Pixies, more on this later.

Didcot's premier side returned to winning ways with a thumping victory over the auld enemy of Thame.

Skipper Gates made his only telling contribution of the day by calling correctly after flipping his lucky coin, and invited the oppo. to have a bat on what looked like a belter of a track. The Field of Dreams looked a picture yesterday, flag flying proudly in the sunshine. It almost brought a lump to my throat as I strode back towards the pavilion.

Early strikes from Matt and Stimpo had Thame at 6 for 2, great start. A mini revival saw Thame limp to 45 for 2 when something remarkable happened. Cookie threw down a slow-medium paced half volley, conveniently outside off stump, nothing remarkable so far. The batsman absolutely creamed it through extra cover, as it deserved. He hadn't expected Naughty Broughty to even see it let alone pluck it out of the air and hang on. Catch!!

That catch changed the game as Cookie, now with his tail up bowled beautifully in his 7 over spell to finish with 5 for 22. His best senior figures, so far. Matt provided fantastic support to finish with 3 for 23 from 16 magnificent overs.

Diddy needed 69 to win and it was only ten to three!

We knocked the runs off in around an hour for the loss of a couple, Matt and Cookie finishing with 27 not out each. Far sterner tests lie ahead I am sure.

Tea was taken at 4pm with the match over. As we sat eating our rolls and water melon, one of us was blissfully unaware that one of the Tesco mini pasties had been laced with LSD (A psychoactive, mind bending drug, credited with influencing many of the great creative minds of the sixties and seventies). This drug tricks the mind into conjuring up strange hallucinatory experiences. How else can you explain watching the Champions League semi final in the back of a car with an olympic medal winner then coining the now immortal line " My taxidermist is a part time cage fighter". This is what happens when you finish at 4pm and then start drinking. It is perhaps just as well we had left by the time the thirds returned.

Didcot 2nds won the toss and invited Kimble to bat first. Openers Les Addison and Carl Hancock started off well with tight and accurate bowling, Carl taking 3 wickets in his spell of 7 overs. Rob Keat and Sam Smith took over next. Both bowled well and Rob was unlucky not to take more than the two wickets he took. The best bowling performance came from Sam coming in from the 3^rd eleven in the 11^th hour on Saturday morning to cover for Henry Latimer called up to the 1^st. Sam was consistent, pitching the ball in the right spot to take his first ever five wicket haul- well done Sam.

Kimble were all out for 77 in the 26^th over. Too early for tea so straight back on the field with Prasad and Viraj opening the innings for Didcot.

Didcot lost Prasad Kankadandi when total was 19. Connor Morrison joined Viraj Perera and saw it through to tea at the 15th over with the total at 29 for one. After tea Viraj 40 not out and Connor 22 not out, hit the winning four to pass the home team total of 77 in the sixth over after tea to win the match in the 21^st over;

3rd Team match report.

The thirds hung on for a draw against Tiddington 3rds at Crowmarsh. Bowling first Didcot got off to a great start with Dan Stainthorpe picking up a wicket in his first over. Dan bowled beautifully, good length bowling with late in swing, and finished with excellent figures of 2-22. Mick at the other end took 6 overs to loosen up and picked up 2 wickets with excellent catches in the slips from Clive. 2-40 from 13 overs, another top performance from him. Narendra Mandadapu was making his 3rd team debut and toiled away for 16 straight overs, 1-63 not a fair reflection on how well he bowled. Sam Couldrick was not on as devastating form as last week but still showed excellent flight and turn but Boggy, promoted after last weeks display in the 4ths, bowled straight and took advantage of some indifferent bounce to take 3-20. Tiddington finished on 180 for 8 in their 45 overs, with their captain and opening batsman scoring 79 of them.

In reply, Didcot got off to a flyer with Elvis dispatching their opening bowler for 2 sixes in the first over. Unfortunately his stay at the crease was ended with the 9th ball of the innings. Sam, Boggy and Scanni all batted well but wickets fell regularly and Didcot were 55 for 5. This brought Clive and Mick together at the crease and they put on a stand of 60, with some text book shots and front foot slaps. You can work out who was playing each shot yourself! Clive was bowled for 34 by an excellent delivery and when Narendra got a ball that didn't bounce and hit middle stump, Didcot were 120 for 7 and looking to save the game. Jonny Meardon batted bravely and stuck with Mick, until Mick top edged an attempted pull (not sure why he was playing that shot with 5 overs to go!!) and was out for 36. Jonny departed in the next over, leaving Dan and DP to bat out 5 overs. DP batted sensibly to start, but when the bowler dropped it short he could not resist. His comment of 'I'll have a bit of that' left the fielders in stitches and the bowler not amused. 2 balls later he dropped it short again, and the ball got the same treatment. Rumour has it that DP was spotted at the Field of Dreams having a net on Saturday morning, somebody should tell him that you can't teach an old dog new tricks! Dan demonstrated a text book defence. He faced 20 balls from 2 hostile fast bowlers and did not give a chance. Didcot finished on 155 for 9. A better display in the field with regard to catching but we still need to improve our ground fielding.

Having secured the draw, the third team were disappointed to arrive back at the Field of Dream for a celebratory drink, only to find it all locked up. The second week running this has happened, some thirsty third team players suggested that maybe the thirds should play all the home games at the field of dreams as they seem to be the only side that can make a game of cricket last the distance and therefore maximise the bar profits!!

Didcot 4ths having had one drop out on Friday night and two more on Saturday it was therefore with some relief that we started the game with 11 players. To be fair we finished the game with 11 players, it is just that inbetween we only had 9. Oxford and Bletchingdon won the toss and put us in to bat. We moved to 19 for 2 before Biplob edged one onto his chin leaving a gaping gash from which the blood poured. Jonathan sacrificed himself and then drove Biplob to hospital to have the wound stitched up. The Didcot 4th IX struggled on, aided by extras, until the 34th over when we were all out for 159 (actually 159 for 8, but the hospital visitors had not returned). Some old geezer called Simon managed to carry his bat and score 63 not out with Alex Rodman scoring a useful 20. Biplob and Jonathan returned half way through tea, but too late to bat. Oxford and Bletchingdon crept towards their target losing the odd wicket on the way and finally passed the Didcot total in the 42nd over for the loss of six wickets. Four dropped catches did not help the Didcot cause. Chad took 3 for 20 in 8 overs.

A good all round performance, better than last week, but again we did not help our cause by dropping catches and not batting out our overs, even if we batted with 9 players.

Idiot Wind

2010-05-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

So, fellow Diddymen, here we go again. How have the last 7 months treated you? What have you been up to? Me?........ extremely well thanks for asking; moved house, went to Thailand, assaulted a duck in Dubai. That sort of thing.

My Sunday evenings now have their structure back, open a decent bottle of wine and sit in front of the 'puter waiting for inspiration to strike having got all of the mundane stuff out of the way. Wonderful.

Come to think of it yesterday felt a bit different to the last few months, a nervous sense of anxiety permeates the first thoughts and then a leap out of bed to see what the weather was looking like, than pacing around waiting for the squeeze to get her act together so we can head to the Field of Dreams.

Rather surprisingly we played some cricket yesterday. The seconds had the first 'proper' cricket match of the season at the field of Dreams; it is best to gloss over the details to spare collective embarrassment. Plenty of room for improvement. A similar summary from the 4ths as well by all accounts.

The 3rds tried to throw the game away but eventually beat Bicester & NO 3rds in a thrilling climax.

Didcot won the toss and skipper DP had no hesitation in putting Bicester in. Mike Slade bowled well and was unlucky not to pick up an early wicket. DP was not on his best form and took himself off after 3 overs although he did leave a lasting mark on the game, a giant dent on the edge of the pitch caused by him attempting a return catch and sprawling across the strip. The introduction of Raj into the attack had immediate results. Raj has obviously been perfecting his killer ball all winter, a leg side long hop which consecutive batsman managed to nick to Haydn. Haydn picked up his third catch soon after off Mike's bowling but not content with getting the batsman out once, decided to run him out as well! Raj (3-19) and Mike (4-33) picked up more wickets with straight bowling and the spin twins, Sam and Sam were soon introduced to the attack. Sam Smith bowled beautifully for no reward and Sam Couldrick (2- 31) showed great control and flight, dismissing the danger man when he tempted him down the track with Haydn completing the stumping. Bicester were bowled out for 124 inside 40 overs.

Raj and Elvis got the reply off to a steady start with an opening partnership of 25 before Raj was dismissed for 16. Elvis and Santosh took the score onto 50 before Elvis was out for 21. The score reached 72 when Santosh holed out. 53 needed and 7 wickets in hand, surely not a problem. However a mini collapse took the score to 86 for 7 and it looked as though Bicester might pull off an unlikely win. Sam Couldrick and Mike rescued the situation, Sam playing some classy shots and Mick bludgeoning any loose bowling. Sam (15) got a cracker and was out with Didcot still needing 20 runs. DP strode to the crease and having seen his batting in the past, things were not looking good. However DP showed great restraint and held up one end allowing Mick to continue to flay any wide balls to the point boundary. DP eventually succumbed to temptation and went to slog a short ball, only to get bowled round his legs. 1 wicket remaining, 5 runs needed and it was all down to Mike and Sam Smith. Sam played 2 shots excellent shots off his legs and the scores were tied. The pressure got to the bowler and a wide ball won the game for Didcot, Mike Slade the saviour of the innings with an unbeaten 21.

An excellent start to the third teams season, roll on next week!!

The 1sts travelled down the road to Challow, a side that 12 months ago was two seasons above us. There is a chance that a year from now the reverse will be true.

We outplayed them from ball one. They behaved like a side that didn't want to play cricket at all, and we performed like a side that hadn't missed a beat since last September's triumph at Wolverton. The banter started from the first minute, Jimmy Perera has grown taller and stronger, Matt has a new bionic ankle that means he can literally leap over buildings, Bernard has the knees of a roof tiler, The Judge hasn't changed at all, The caretaker seems strangely matured, like a good cheese. As for the Don? he looks much younger, now bowls right arm over and calls himself Juan Stimpy.

Our reputation now precedes us and We were invited to bat having lost the toss. The Judge and Jimmy opened up and were in complete control rattling up 89 for the first wicket before The Judge avoided a jug and got out for 49. Northern Gravy strode to the crease with a point to prove, not sure what it was but he looked like he meant business and was in good touch until he trapped a nerve in his shoulder. This brought Cookie to the crease and he and Jimmy were not parted before we declared on 252 after 43 overs. Cookie thrashed the ball pretty much wherever he liked and ended up on 63 not out from 49 balls. Jimmy carried his bat for what turned out to be a man of the match 80 not out.

We took to the field after a rather splendid tea in at least 5 layers of clothes. Challow never really looked up for it and we took wickets regularly to keep up the pressure. A fine debut for Juan Stimpy after he found his length, including prize scalp of Ian (div. 1) Demain. Matt decided that the best way to deal with a trapped nerve was to bowl, he looked like a stroke victim at one point but as ever gave 100% and dismissed both openers.

The Laurel and Hardy of spin were reunited and took 4 wickets between them in conditions that helped not one jot. The Judge taking 3 fer. Special mention to Brockett, taking 2 smart catches and an excellent stumping.

In the end we fell short by 1 wicket, catches win matches, and we dropped three important ones. Conditions for catching were poor........the ball was like a bar of soap. No excuses though, we should have won.

So, to next week, we host the Thame bunnies and will make sure that we improve and claim 25 points. I can't wait...........

We've Only Just begun.............

2009-09-06T12:10:00.001-07:00

So, that's it then. Another season, another summer. From this point on until an as yet to be agreed date next April I will miss playing cricket. What will i do with the time? No idea, but it will be have to be something pretty special to match the the fun I have I had over the last 4 months.

Yesterday was another special day for Didcot. The seconds had the best of a drawn game with Aston Rowant and in doing so ensured survival in Division 8 by finishing 6th. The thirds beat Kimble in a must win do or die encounter and retain divison 9 status for next year.

Fantastic effort lads,men,chaps and boys. Further details can be found further down this blog.

The firsts crossed the international Date Line and ended up in Wolverton, Milton Keynes.

Wolverton is no longer governed by Chakma The Wolf King having been driven out by pitchfork whielding peasants in 2007. The name remains as a reminder to future generations of a time when barking at the moon and sheep worrying were commonplace. I felt a chill down my spine most of the afternoon.

The helm had been passed to Cookie this week as Skipper Gates concentrated on honing his bowling technique in case of an unlikely call to the crease. Cookie proved what many have suspected for some time, he is a useless tosser. Wolverton asked us to bat on an interesting looking strip. The ball nipped around, swung and turned square. We thought that 160 might be a decent score. We got 262 for 5, simply stunning. 70 odd for 4 turned in to 140 for 5 with useful contributions from Tee Kay and Bernard.

At the crease were Cookie and Broughtie. Cookie passed 50 having played sensibly and maturely. He looked solid. Naughtie started out like a whirlwind, dancing down the track to cover drive the leg spinner, dabbing beautifully and running hard; yes, running hard. Cookie decided that the time to accelerate had arrived and did so with style and aplomb. Boundaries and three huge sixes together with some comedy running provided boundless entertainment for those of us watching. The mood was celebratory and upbeat despite the freezing weather. Cookie ended with an unbeaten 105, his second century in 4 weeks. Monster Cookie, Monster. Naughtie ending on 42 not out had provided superb support, it was another golden nugget of an innings.

Tea was taken, and proved to be as good as it's reputation. I think we all over ate.

We took to the field with Cookie's inspirational words ringing in our ears. "If we bowl well and field well, we should win." Genius. Northern Gravy trundled in with the wind at is back, the fourth ball of the innings caught the outside edge, the ball slappped into Naughties hands at second slip. CATCH! I imagine the bruises are looking livid today.

The Don bowled without luck from the other end to Wolverton's number three. I think his name was Felix. He certainly had plenty of lives; it would take some inspirational bowling to shift him. Crabbie had quite a head of steam up now and disposed of another couple with catches to Brockett and Gatesy at slip.

The Caretaker took over from the Don and nipped out a couple. we were on top but couldn't seem to shift Number three.

Skipper Cook showed the Wisdom of Solomon with his next decision. He turned to a player who hasn't bowled in a competitive match for at least 25 years. Gates, using his shorter run up proved that Class is Permanent and crucially that luck is even more important. Of course I got the difficult to shift number three and another hapless soul aswell. What enormous fun. The Judge nipped out another one, Brockett's second stumping of the match and The Don finished them off. A thumping 121 run win to end a fantastic season.

The Caretaker, never one to pass up on an opportunity to fudge his sexuality took not only 4 bottles in to the shower but a scrunchy to exfoliate! He would later order a prawn cocktail and admit that Bronski Beat are his favourite band after Erasure. It takes all sorts I suppose, and merely demonstrates the power of role models in young peoples lives. The Caretaker has grown up with Nivea slathering ponce's like Beckham.

I had Botham when i was that age so only ever take a cigar into the shower, or a barmaid.

My job is to start planning for next season. Our ambition is high and our belief is strong. Bring on Division 5. It's only just begun..................

Didcot II v Aston Rowant III played at Didcot

Went into this game against Aston Rowant, 2nd from top in the league and having to get 11 point minimum to be out of the relegation zone. Winning the toss was a must; having won the toss Didcot batted first with 240+ target in mind with a good batting side. We lost two quick wickets in the 6^th over total at 11. Panic!; what happened next was few partnerships were built around Viraj Perera. 60 runs with Prasad (37), 59 runs with Connor (28) and an unbeaten partnership between Dave Allen (35 not out), an invaluable partnership of 80 runs in the last 10 overs to bring the Didcot total to 222 for 5 with Viraj just missing the second ton of the season by 3 runs, 97 not out!

Having got the full batting points (5), the second target for the day was to get 6 wickets. Dan Alderson opened the attack with Dave Allen. Instructions were to keep the run rate down to put the opposition under pressure. The start was good but few catches were put down and the openers had put-on 50 runs in 12 overs. Henry came on first change and had the break through we needed with a brilliant catch by Sean Willmott at the deep mid-wicket running all the way from deep square leg! Henry bowled well (3) supported by Dan Alderson (2), Sean Willmott (2) and Dave Allen (1). It was one of these games we had put down as many catches as we took, and the catches we took were very good; Connor Morrison 2, Prasad 1, Dave 1,Sean 1 and Henry 1 ). Aston Rowant was behind the required run rate with loosing wickets at regular intervals and Didcot did well against a top team and was very unfortunate not to take the last wicket and get a win in the final game of the 2009 season. Aston Rowant 198 for 9. With 17 points, Didcot IIs should be well above relegation zone now!

3rds vs Kimble 2nds

DP won the toss and put Kimble into bat in a must win game. Rob and Rob (Green and Keat) bowled well and took the first 4 wickets cheaply. The introduction of Stewie Green resulted in a field only normally seen in the Caribbean, a 8:1 field with 2 slips, 2 gullies and a short third man. Stewie bowled a hostile spell, hitting several different batsmen on the arms and in the ribs. On a different day he could have had a hatful of wickets but it was not his day with several shots just out of reach of fielders and a few drops as well. The worst drop of the day had to be awarded to skipper DP who managed to shell a sitter at 3rd man. Apparently the batsman put so much top spin on the ball off his thick edge that it spun out of his hand! Potentially the season's worst excuse for a dropped catch.

Despite the regular fall of wickets, Kimble were still going along at a decent pace. DP picked up one wicket before being taken out of the attack having injured his hand attempting a sharp return catch. If you use the middle of your hand Dave and catch it, it won't hurt!!

Rob and Rob returned to the attack and quickly removed the danger men. Elvis had a cameo over and picked up one wicket before Rob Green wrapped up the innings and picked up his first 'phiffer' (5-33). Kimble all out for 169

In reply Didcot got off to a stuttering start, losing both openers with only 31 on the board. A good 3rd wicket partnership between Sean Stewart and Elvis put on 70 before Elvis departed having scored 35. Shaun was out soon afterwards for 25 and when Tattie departed and then Boggy was given run out by an 80 year old umpire when he was clearly in, Didcot were now 120 for 6, still needing 50 to win. Nerves were apparent in the dressing room, with the batsmen still to come Haydn (who had injured his hand keeping and couldn't grip his bat), Rob Green (who had no confidence in himself) and DP (no explanation needed!) it was all down to the batsmen in the middle.

Lewis Wilcox and Rob Keat batted superbly, seeing off the good balls and punishing the rubbish. They saw Didcot home, their 50 partnership came in only 13 overs and didn't give a chance. Rob finished on 31 not out and Lewis scored 21. Bearing in mind Lewis is still an U13, he showed fantastic composure and held his nerve well. A potential future Didcot star??

By winning the game, we made sure we would finish just outside the bottom 2. The news that came later that evening the Abingdon had only got 2 points from their game against Oxford Downs, means at worst we will finish 4th from bottom and hopefully secure our Division 9 status, irrespective of any league restructure

In the last game of the season, the fourths again came up against a side with one major player who proved the difference. This time, Chearsley’s opening batsman hit 93 not out from 120 for 0 to overhaul our score. And this after taking 5 wickets with essentially straight balls. And after scoring a century in the away fixture.

Ho hum. Simon lost the toss and we were inserted, a decision that Chearsley may have regretted once Simon and Biplob got off to another flier – 39 in 6 overs with a massive six hitting the tea shed from Simon. Once wickets started falling, they kept on going. We easily overhauled our last score against Chearsley (54) but 6 batsmen got into double figures and no-one scored 20. Simon was caught, Biplob ran down the wicket and was bowled after flinging his bat, Maha dragged one back onto his stumps. This is after we sent out number 4 batsman (Maha) to pick up our number 3 batsman (Uday) from a garage – they arrived back at 1:45. Uday showed that his trip to India has not changed his style of batting, he was bowled for 10. Nick and Travis batted well together as we rebuilt, and they were looking set before a collapse (well this is Didcot) took us from 86 for 4 to 98 for 8, Hall and Granger not troubling the scorers. Then, however, some resistance from the tail as Alex R (6) and Dan Stainthorpe (14) stayed out of trouble and hit the bad balls. At one stage there were 15 consecutive dot balls but that was good enough, and we easily passed our first batting point. Jack went out with Nick promising him £10 if he scored a run. Sadly, Nick’s paper round money was safe as Alex fell at the other end leaving Jack not out on 0.

We had doubled the last score against Chearsley but it was unlikely to be enough. Despite one of the best bowling line-ups of the season (Granger, Rodman, Green, Stainthorpe, Broughton with Biplob and Simon in reserve), we came up against someone in top form who hit sixes at will. Only Alex escaped punishment, 4 miserly overs going for 8. With 23 needed, the last throw of the dice as Jack came on, but he was brutally dispatched. Despite the coaching session in the car park before hand, five legitimate balls cost 27 and their opener passed 800 for the season (200 against us).

A disappointing end, but hopefully this season we have given valuable experience of senior cricket to lot of the juniors. Top wicket taker has been Jack (11), top run scorer Clive, top score Clive (123), best bowling Jack (4-17), best all rounder Simon (9 wickets and 167 runs). One victory, two draws that we could have won, one more game that we could easily have won: we have been competitive in a fair number of games. Not all doom and gloom. We used 43 players, over half were juniors. And next season we can build on this foundation.

For several of us it has been a season of two halves – Jack bowled well first half, badly second, Jonathan batted well first half, badly second, Simon badly then very well, Uday well then went to India, Dan bowled well then went to Ireland, Travis and Jonny Meardon contributed well in the latter stages, Biplob’s batting and bowling improved through the season. Harry, Tom and Alex Rodman have a lot of potential to develop, Alex is the meanest junior bowler I have seen. Nick Grain kept very well, and has an excellent defensive batting technique, he will develop. Ben Faloona, Jamie, Ehsen, Humza et al have had their moments and will come good given time and practice..

We Are The Champions

2009-08-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

Finally, finally; the moment we have thought and dreamt about for most of the summer has arrived. No quips this week. Didcot are Cherwell Division 6 champions. Sounds good doesn't it.

We travelled to Thame knowing that a win would guarantee the title. I was more excited and nervous than normal on a Saturday, but confident that we would do it.

The Thame pitch had been soaked in a rain storm the day before and was begging to be bowled on. We have not done things easily this season so I decided to lose the toss just to be awkward. Batting first on this wicket was not easy, the ball stopped and came through slowly. Many of us got out driving too early.

What is important is that three of us made significant contributions to get us the right side of 200, just. Matt scored 30 odd and looked back in form until one stopped on him. Naughtie dabbed and nurdled to 39 (NOT OUT, WOULD YOU BELIEVE). Another extremely valuable knock in his specialist finishing position. The rock and spine of our innings came from Lord Brockett, batting at four he nearly carried his bat on the way to his maiden first XI half century. A superb watchful, mature knock with acceleration at the right moment. On a better pitch he would have made a ton. Well done Bris.

After what can only be described as a tea that suited the fielding side we started again knowing that 10 wickets were needed to take the title. We started well by dismissing danger man Steve Beard cheaply, our confidence was high. Lobster and The Don threatened but couldn't get the breakthrough. The pitch was dry now and playing like a dream and Thame's 14 year old opener was playing beautifully. 10 for 1 became 119 for two. With plenty of time left, we were struggling a bit. We had Laurel and Hardy on, who have often been so deadly in tandem this year. The Caretaker bowled well, but couldn't force the breakthrough, so time for a change. A bit of Pritch has changed games a number of times this year. His pace was searing but the ball constantly found the gaps.

What to do next? I considered the options and decided to give The Judge one more over. A superb catch from Lobster Jones at short midwicket meant that The Judge would get another over and that we were back in the game. If only we could get the opener we would be in charge again. We got the opener next over. Some late away swing (possibly) from Pritch and a brilliant salmon like leap from The Caretaker together with Inspector Gadget arms snared him. Game on now. Our body language changed, we were hunting as a pack now. Two wickets in an over from The Judge and Thame were 150 for 6.

A second spell from The Don brought instant results with two wickets in his two overs, catches from Brockett and Pritch taking care of things. Jules took his fifth and we were one wicket away from the title and Thame were 10 minutes from a draw.

The Judge hasn't turned a ball all season and relies on his charisma and guile to earn his wickets. Or so we thought. He floated up his last ball of the over, it looked no different to the rest. Pitching on middle and going straight on, that's what the batsman and the rest of us thought. It bit, it bounced, it fizzed, and it turned, from leg to off for heavens sake. He had bowled a leggie and pitched it perfectly. Off stump knocked back, we celebrated wildly. I thought about kissing The Judge. Bernard beat me to it and I didn't have the heart to interrupt their delicate embrace.

We drank warm champagne and sang our victory song.

What a fabulous day.

Didcot II V Dinton III

Dinton won the toss and elected to bat on a good batting wicket. Didcot bowlers did not have much impact on the visitors and they scored 241 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their 47 overs. Vishane Perera and Dave Allen took 2 wickets each, Henry Latimer one and one run out.

It did not seam to be impossible target to get on a very good batting track but as usual top order batting did not get to a good start and Didcot was on the back foot again! The only highlight was Connor Morrison’s unbeaten 86. Didcot was 174 for 7 at the end of play.

Dinton III 15 points Didcot II 8 points

After the cancellation against Oxford the previous week, the first victory was getting a team of 11 players on the pitch against Bicester. Our problems started when we realised that Bicester were seeking revenge for the game previous in the season where we had scored 304 against them thanks to Clive and Raj. Our team was virtually unrecognisable, with just Modi, Grain, Hall and Broughton remaining from that side. Whereas we had replaced the players with inexperienced U-13s and members doing the club, Bicester appeared to have called up their resources to ensure that they didn’t get the same treatment.

However, with such an inexperienced team, stand-in captain Hall was concerned that the game might be all over by 2:30 if we batted first, so inserted the opposition. This was mainly due to the whole raison d’être of the fourth team, to give the youngsters experience.

We started brightly, with Pritesh and Travis sharing the new ball, but once spinners Maha and Jack Broughton came on the openers were set and proceeded to hit the ball to all corners, or alternatively milked the singles if the field was set back. 51 from 9 became 73 from 12 and 96 from 14, before medium pacers from Alex Scanlan and Jonny Meardon put the brakes on the advance. Too little, too late, and both of the openers retired not out for centuries, Phil Warson (once Northants 2nds keeper) made 138 and James Head 105, both recorded as not outs. That brought in Megan Burton and a slowing of the scoring, and finally Pritesh, coming on for his second spell after injuring his shoulder earlier in the game, bowled Payne for 15 – the first legitimate wicket at 244. Late additions to the bowling line up Jonathan Meardon and Benji Faloona, however, showed why the fourth team is a good thing for the club, each bowling a spell of good medium pace. These two are both Under 13s, and given the right development could be challenging in higher teams in 3 or 4 years. The standout player, however, was Travis Green. Again an U-13. Given the responsibility of the new ball, and then also coming back for his remaining 4 overs at the end, he bowled line and length with pace and accuracy and was unlucky not to take any wickets. Figures of 8-1-37-0 were excellent in those circumstances.

After much nagging from Jack and Nick, Hall brought himself on to remind them again why he doesn’t bowl any more. The only time the ball went straight was when the hair was let down and he got angry with himself. Not a sight that should be witnessed by delicate personalities, and certainly against the spirit of Clubmark, if not common decency.

As for the rest of the bowling, Jack showed signs of the form from earlier in the season, and Pritesh shouldered the responsibility of being the senior seamer well, returning figures of 1-43 from 8 overs. Maha had the batsmen in trouble on occasions but could not get consistency.

Bicester struggled to pass Didcot’s 304 from the away match due to Travis and Ben conceding only singles from the 42^nd and 43^rd overs, but as soon as they passed the total they declared at the end of the over. Just enough time for Ben Faloona to take his first senior wicket, and for club colossus David Slade to take his final slip catch (although he doesn’t know that he’s playing next week as well…).

Didcot’s batting then lacked the adhesiveness that was required to fight out the draw. Hall opened in the absence of other candidates, and made his first duck of the league season, cutting a ball into the air. Form, form, why have thou deserted me. Oh, and decision making. Alex Scanlan was unlucky to be run out going for a second run that wasn’t there. Pritesh looked good for 10 before being given lbw, Nick and Jonny flattered to deceive. Hope then lay with Travis and John Brisland, both of whom played good shots in a 6^th wicket partnership that took us to a level of respectability, and laid the basis for getting past our previous low score. Indeed, two edged fours for Faloona and a driven 2 from Dave Slade took us past our second lowest score. Allout for 57 beats the 46 (Cumnor) and 54 (Chearsley) earlier in the season.

David was last out, bowed by Megan Burton, on the very ground that he started his senior career a few years back.

On the face of it, a thrashing. Losing by 253 runs is not easy and we were not competitive, but on a weekend when about 40 players were unavailable, I believe we showed that there are plenty of green shoots in the youth development of the club, and that from this exposure to senior cricket, confidence and skills will develop.

All part of the season in the fourths!

Back to Simon for the last two games.

Eat The Rich

2009-08-16T02:00:00.000-07:00

Which two people would you least like to be stuck in a lift with? A question posed to me on the drive home from the Field of Dreams last night. I won't reveal my answer to protect the delicate feelings and fragile ego's of those selected. I will reveal that Rick Waller was a close third though.

Perhaps you want to debate this controversial subject when you are having supper tonight. Or perhaps not. You decide, it's a free world.

Yesterday we had the privilege of welcoming Bourton Vale to the FoD on a muggy, but oddly breezy day. Skip won the toss and invited Vale to have a bat on another belter of a batting track. We were determined not to let Vale get off to the same storming start they enjoyed earlier in the season.

We didn't, and had them 4 for 3 inside 4 overs. The Don taking two with fine catches from Pritch and Tee Kay with Matt clean bowling the third. Happy days, but surely not representative of this pitch? Our fielding was sharp and our mood positive after Pritch took the fourth with the score on 31. This wicket saw The Judge take what may be the catch of the season. Using his new approach of walking in at gully he took a stormer that made Paul Collingwood look like an average middle order batsman who only scores runs intermittently but is slightly better than Rob Key. It was the crowning moment of a great display in this position.

Vale's middle order rallied well, riding a bit of luck but mainly hitting some below average bowling to the boundary a little too regularly they clawed back to 140, still for 4, with 17 overs left. A wicket for The Judge and another for Crabbie slowed progress a bit. Our heads did not drop throughout this, despite having to dive into the brambles a little too frequently to retrieve balls. The end came quickly as Vale went from 214 for 6 to 220 all out, Pritch picking up another couple of wickets and Crabbie knocked back the stumps of 10 and 11 in consecutive balls. Hat trick next week? Matt bowled through the pain barrier again, ending with 4 for 59. Further jug evasion from the Yorkshireman.

As we left the field I felt positive, 220 is only a par score at the Field of Dreams and we had won every game we had chased since the season opener at Oxford. We would have to bat well though as 221 would be our highest second innings score this season.

Faced with an intimidating target we needed to stay positive but refrain from recklessness; it is all about pace and momentum. Get your eye in and only then move on to the more ambitious, expansive areas.

I started with a ham and mustard sandwich, the forward defensive of the cricket tea; moved on to a slice of quiche (leg glance); a sausage roll (back foot drive); chicken tikka piece (cover drive); mini pasty (lofted hoik towards cow); ending with a slab of pavlova (reverse sweep for six). Incidentally on quizzing Jose on his return to the ground in the evening he mentioned that he always starts his tea with a ham sandwich. He then throws it in the bin as he doesn't like ham and feasts on pasties.

Anyway, after another stupendous tea courtesy of Dad Cook and some Cornish elves we started the chase.

The top three got in, got a few and then got out. Crabbie and Pritch didn't trouble the scorers and we were 86 for 5 in the 26th over. We were about to step on a banana skin. Yet again two new heroes stepped up, determined to 'be the man' that won the game for us. They cheekily skipped over the banana skin and powered us on to 202. Bernard and Cookie scored 116 runs at more than seven an over to transform the game. Bernard was unlucky to be bowled off his pads for a gritty 34, easily his best innings of the season so far.

Cookie played one of the best innings of the season from anyone in the side and capped it off with his maiden senior ton. A fantastic, mature, cultured innings that combined brutal front foot driving with cuts, pulls and even a few wanky dabs. It had it all and drew justifiable praise from everyone lucky enough to witness it. I am sure it will be the first of many, and hopefully not the last this season.

We won by only 2 wickets in the end as the self destruct gene re-emerged briefly. The Judge finished it in style with three boundaries from his first three balls.

Another 25 points combined with good results for us elsewhere means that we travel to Thame next Saturday knowing that a win guarantees us the title. We don't need any greater motivation than this and I cannot wait for the game to start..............

Twyford II V Didcot II

Didcot managed only 130 runs in their 47 overs Prasad contributing 31 and Conner 20 and at the end 16 not out by Sam Couldrick.

Twyford reached the target with the loss of 5 wickets. Dan Alderson pick of the bowling with good pace and bounce, unfortunate not to pick-up more wickets.

Be The Man

2009-08-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

Back to the business of cricket this week after the rain last saturday. Our visitors, Horspath had been top earlier in the season and were not to be taken lightly.

Winning the toss on a damp, but drying pitch was perhaps more important than normal. I lost it. Bugger.

A slightly makeshift team was shorn of Shaun, and the Laurel and Hardy of spin for the day. One was at Center Parcs undoubtedly honing his archery skills or whatever it is one does in Center Parcs, the other was in the middle of a tour of the bits of Europe famed for their lack of culinary skills and rigid adhesion to order, the Caretaker was last seen waiting for Big Wednesday, no doubt surrounded by a thousand other Caretaker lookalikes. I hope the surf was sick Jordan, dude.

No surprise that we were asked to bat on a sticky dog. Didcot 2009 laughs in the face of sticky dogs and rose to the challenge. Vish and Lats strode to the wicket with the skip's advice to "not cut in the first half hour in case you drag one onto your stumps" ringing in their ears. Lats played a square cut, you can guess the rest. One down. Crabbie hobbled out to the wicket, batting for the first time in four weeks he said he felt a bit rusty. He looked a bit rusty. Rusty or not he was out to a shocking LBW decision. Hit on the upper thigh! He is nearly 8ft tall! Get your subscription checked!

Tee Kay announced his arrival with two bludgeoned boundaries then promptly became becalmed, his reputation as the Beast preceding him. Throughout these diversions Jimmy Perera was doing what he does best. Another fine knock, during which he never looked troubled. He ran out of energy at 64, a fine century was there for the taking. Eat porridge for breakfast Jimmy and the ton is yours.

Cookie played around a straight one, another LBW. All of a sudden a good start had become rather average at 120 odd for 5. Veterans Broughton and Pritchard were at the crease and they delivered again. Adding 70 in 12 overs changed the game again as we headed towards 200. Prich finished with 43, perhaps not his most fluent innings of the season, but a very important one. A few biffs to the boundary at the end and we were going to have to defend 226.

A fine tea from Yorkshire showed just how much modern Britain has changed. No batter puddings with gravy. Home made chicken tikka (on cocktail sticks, no less) and salmon sandwiches. Geoffrey would no doubt think it was dreadful. We all thought it was great and tucked in.

Openers Crabbie and debutant Jim Taylor (Cookie's godfather, apparently) bowled with control and movement both taking a wicket. Don's debut Cherwell wicket to a fine catch from Brockett.

Lat's bowled with a good loop and control of length and picked up a couple of wickets to keep the pressure on. Horspath were never quite up with the run rate but had wickets in hand so were always in with a chance. Enter Mr Pritchard. He took the crucial two wickets that swung it back in our favour. Not enough time or runs to force a win for either side meant a draw was the right result. Cricket was the winner in a good, evenly fought game. 13 points takes us half a step closer to the points we need.

We all need to up our performance for the visit of Bourton Vale next week and be determined that we will be the man to make the difference that brings us another win.

Wallingford II V Didcot II

A bad day at work! Yep after tea it all fell apart.

Didcot won the toss and invited Wallingford to bat first. Everything went to plan to start with; we had a target to get them out for 150 we just about did that. Wallingford all out 154 in the 42^nd over with Viraj Perera taking 4 wickets, Rob Keat 3, followed by Dan Alderson 2 and Stewart Green 1 all bowling well and fielding and catching coming together. The nightmare began after tea; loosing the first 5 wickets; Prasad, Rob Kenworthy, Viraj, Connor and Dan all back in the pavilion for 12 runs in 12 overs! Ross Fryatt (26) and Shaun Stewart (14) showing some resistance and building a partnership and using up the overs, but after the departure of Ross and Stewart we had still a glimpse of a draw with Jose Taboada 25, but could not resist the temptation and was caught at the covers with just 8 balls to go!

Didcot 3rds

Didcot hung on during their game of Alpine cricket against a much stronger Brackley 2's.

Winning the toss we elected to put the opposition and after two quick wickets Brackley settled into two strong partnerships (100,80). Star for Brackley was George Stapleton, home from his gap year just two days before, he finished unbeaten on 91 with Brackley reaching 227-4 on a slow pitch, with a large, slow outfield.

Didcot soon realised we didn't have the fire power to chase and set ourselves a target of 150-3 at the end to minimise their points advantage.At 120-3 after 41 overs (and 35 minutes left) we were cruising. AND THEN, back to Didcot self destruct mode. 12 overs bowled in the next 35 minutes and we closed on 133-9 with George Stapleton taking 3-15 off seven overs.

Santosh, Mike Slade and Clive all got into the 20's before getting themselves out.

Travis Green and Jonathan Mearden batted well and held up Brackley for decent periods of time.

Mike Slade deserves special mention for his excellent spell up and across the Alpine slopes.

Didcot 4ths

Didcot IV put up a sterling performance but faded to lose a game that we should have won. Thame III batted first, and against Humza and Alex Rodman they were 9 for 2 from 10 naggingly accurate overs. Neil Spears bowled well, taking a wicket and a catch, while Jack Broughton continued a dip in form at the other end. The off spin department of the fourths, however, looks safe in the hands of Tom Spears, who put down a marker for the new all rounder with 2 well taken wicket. Maybe stand-in captain Hall should have listened to him a couple of weeks ago when he wanted to bowl. Simon also bowled frugally, Ehsen bowled a couple of overs without much alarm, and then the opening bowlers came back for the final spells to keep the runs down. Only some lusty hitting at the end took Thame to respectability at 146 for 8. The wickets were shared around, two each for Humza and Tom, with a stunning run out also credited to Humza.

All in all, one of our best performances with the ball, and proving that we are getting more competitive as the season goes on. Tea was enjoyed greatly as this was a target that we could chase down.

Neil Spears and Simon Birkinshaw opened. Neil was unluckily out quickly, and was followed by Nick Grain. After that, Tom Spears and Simon started setting the foundation for a good score. Simon played his best innings of the season for the club, thrashing balls to all corners (well, lots to cow and one cut four to disprove the comments that he only had one shot) for 45, before “finger of death” Hall struck again with an lbw decision. Gordon Latimer and Ehsen Nadeem hung around without adding much to the score, so with 5 wickets down at 68 we were in trouble. Hall came in with no specific instructions as they really don’t make any difference. Tom was out for another promising innings of 24 as Thame’s bowling attack (made up of accurate 13 year olds all at 4 feet tall) continued to make regular inroads. Despite Jonathan hitting 5 fours and a six (all to the same flag on the boundary at cow corner) in his 29 not out, the other end was a rotating gate made up of a line of ducks until last man Dave Grain (batting with a badly bruised finger) was given out lbw.

We need more adhesiveness at the crease, but although we lost, it was a good game and there were some very creditable performances in defeat. Humza, Alex and Tom bowled well, Simon and Tom batted well, and the fielding was generally excellent.

The composition of the team is proof of the aims of the team – 6 under 18s, 3 parents of youth players, plus Simon and Jonathan. Adds to the development of the club youth players, the development of the social aspect and we’re on the verge of getting some results.

Four more games, including Bicester at home who we scored 304 against earlier in the season. There are possibilities!

Rabbit

2009-07-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

Charles Hodges and David Peacock. Two names that will bring back warm memories for those lucky enough to bask in the sunshine at Knebworth in August 1979. Knebworth is a small village to the North of Brackley.

Knebworth is unique amongst English villages in that it does not have an idiot; an ancient law passed in 1084 by the local baron ensures that each year the biggest idiot is sent South.

Anyway, back to 1979. Charles and David were sitting backstage preparing to warm the crowd up for Led Zeppelin. They needed something catchy to follow up May '79's smash "Gertcha'. Inspiration struck as two idiots walked past; babbling inanely and incessantly , it was impossible to ignore them both.

Coz you wont stop talkin,
Why dont you give it a rest?,
You got more rabbit than sainsburys,
Its time you got it off your chest,
Now you is just the kinda girl to break my heart in two,
I knew right off when i first set my eyes on you,
But how was i to know you fed my earholes too?,
With your ecessive talking,
Your becoming a pest,

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of this genre defining moment in Rockney pop history a cricket match was played in Didcot yesterday. It featured the only living relatives of those two men.

Inviting the opposition to bat first on another sunny day skipper Gates was feeling apprehensive. Would Crabbie's bone spurs hold up? Would The Judge be able to resist the tension? Would Bernard be able to resist The Judge? Would The Didcot flasher make an appearance?..........

Brackley started cautiously against an accurate spell from Pritch and Matt. One wicket apiece was the only reward. 73 for 2 from 19 overs. Cometh the hour, cometh the Caretaker. A wicket with his second ball as he turned one just enough to catch the outside edge of Cartwright's bat, smart work from Brockett and he was off back to the hutch. A devastating spell reduced Brackley to 133 for 8 with The Caretaker having 5 for 25 at one stage. Jules softened them up at the other end of course, his flatter, faster one being comfortably the quickest bowling of the day.

Smart catching and excellent ground fielding even drew a rabbit onto the field of dreams to offer his support. He didn't last long. A few biffs at the end and Brackley were all out for 172.

Some delicious scones were consumed and enjoyed by all. Especially Brockett.

Jim Perera and Judge Boyle opened our reply. Jules didn't die wondering and was clean bowled trying to hit the ball into space. This brought Bernard to the crease. Felix would be a better name for him, such were the lives he seemed to have. Still, he made them pay, and with Vish took the score to 101 before perishing to Dick Dastardly Newby.

Throughout this time Vish had been batting beautifully, following on from his undefeated innings last week he went on to make 77 not out from only 80 odd balls including fourteen 4's. His classy innings was a joy to watch, driving off both front and back feet and pulling viciously, quality.

We won comfortably by 7 wickets with overs to spare, the end coming with a flurry of Monster boundaries from Cookie.

Afterwards, the feeling of relief at finally laying a ghost to rest was palpable. It was only 25 points at the end of the day, but it felt more significant than that. Next week we line up against third placed Tiddington. A sterner test awaits I am sure.

Great Brickhill 2 V Didcot 2

Didcot travelled all the way to Great Brickhill and were almost back in Didcot at tea time if not for some resistance from Prasad (33) holding one-end while Dan Alderson (50) batted sensibly with a mixture of attacking shots and defence to put up a partnership of 75 runs. At the end Matt Tatford and Rob Green batted the last 5 overs to use up the 47 overs.

The Great Brickhill opener A. Ward dropped down from the 1^st to play closer to home and was in a great hurry to finish the game, flashing at every thing, he was lucky not to be caught off Dan’s second delivery when he mis-timed a hook and it just dropped short of Rob Green fielding at fine leg. However he was unforgiving on anything just short of a length and he reached his 50 in double quick time. He was caught off a short pitch delivery from Peter Sykes at the furthest boundary; deep midwicket to a well judged excellent catch by Matt Tatford. The game was almost over but Didcot managed to collect another wicket just before the end to a diving catch from Viraj!

Great Brickhill 25 Points, Didcot II 5 points

With this result now we are dangerously close to the bottom of the table (8^th). We need to raise our game to win the rest of the games now!

Didcot 3rds v Leighton Buzzard

We had them in trouble batting first with Stewart Green getting some wickets once he had spent 4 or 5 overs warming up! Rob Keat bowled beautifully with no luck and little reward.

Carl then bowled short on leg stump to a bat who only had one shot (pulling the short ball).Raj bowled well, as did James Bywater. Sam Couldrick got a wicket with his first ball and then went downhill slowly (he really is very tough on himself).

Buzzard ended up getting 195 for 7 thanks to only two batsmen getting over 50.

Byzie then got bowled by a shooter first ball before Raj and Santosh batted really sensibly against some fairly average bowling. As soon as the 100 partnership came up Raj, on 46, unleashed a drive that brought about a catch Paul Collingwood would have been really proud of. That one catch changed the whole game. Santosh followed soon after for 56. Elvis couldn’t hit short leg side bowling (which he normally eats for breakfast) and then some irresponsible batting from others left us hanging on as they bowled three extra overs before 7.30.

Pluses. Rob Keat’s bowling from the start. Stewart getting better as the spell continued. Raj bowling ok and batting with maturity. Santosh getting a well deserved 50. Carl’s actually getting better in fifth and sixth overs.

The thirds really do need to win a couple of games now to ensure we don’t end up in same Division as fourths.

Big news is that the fourths may pass the 3rds if they carry on their current form. Recording their first win of the season has left stand in skipper in effusive mood. Rather than try to edit and risk losing the essence of how important this win is I have posted it in all it's glorious glory on Teamer.

Cake and July

2009-07-19T10:41:00.000-07:00

Did You know that 72,000 people live in Sandford St Martin, and that Bob Marley met several of the Wailers there? Neither did I. That's because it isn't true.

It is also not true that in excess of 1,000,000 people visit every year and have to decide whether to speak French or Dutch when haggling in the duty free shops.

It is a FACT that they have a very lovely cricket ground nestling on the edge of the Cotswold hills, it really is a smashing spot. I can't think of many better places to collect 25 points.

In a return to winning ways I called the toss correctly and invited St Martin to bat. A hostile spell from Crab Hands, seemingly spurred on by the celebrity injury he now has set the tone for the early overs. Pace, bounce and Yorkshire parsimony built the pressure. New ball partner Pritch puffed up the hill generating marginally more pace then Crabbie. We took the chances and had Sandford at 51 for 5 in the 20th over. Two catches for Bernard stunned everyone. 'Screech' Cook made a simple catch look difficult, summed up well by Naughtie who said "he went down in more stages than the Tour De France". Quite.

A mid innings rally from The Saints was assisted by some comical fielding errors, denying Crabbie the Pfeiffer he craved. His face was a picture of tormented fury at one point and I don't think it was because his ankle hurt.

A frankly, inspired bowling change brought instant relief as Crabbie snaffled one in the slips from the now unplayable Pritch. Two more smartly taken catches from the now renamed Lobster Claws at slip and it was all over. Both Pritch and Matt ended with 4 for 36, ahhhhh, how sweet. The Judge picked up a couple as well, conceding less than 2 runs an over.

Tea was taken after James Perera and Bernard safely negotiated a tricky twenty minute session. Tea was, as ever a delight, especially for Lord Brockett who consumed cake like he was preparing for an Arctic exploration. Bernard also whipped The Judge into a frenzy of adolescent fever as he shared some JOGLE experiences. Could these two be the next Little and Large ? An unlikely double act is developing between them.

The innings recommenced with many of us settling down and actually relaxing for once. Vish played superbly, never looking troubled in his unbeaten 47. He mixed his trademark defensive wall with some cracking attacking shots including some superb pull shots. Eight 4's and a six - great stuff from the boy wonder. Brockett joined him with score on 47, equally untroubled he finished on 38 not out, in doing so cruelly denying Vish what would have been a cracking half century. On paper our easiest victory of the season. In hindsight it was never in doubt

Back at home next week, I am already excited. Cool heads, focus and some ear plugs may be needed.

Didcot II v Abingdon Vale 3
Didcot II comprehensively beaten by Abingdon
This was an important game for Didcot to win and had an opportunity go
up to 3rd place on the league table. However that wasn’t the case!
Abingdon won the toss and invited Didcot to bat first. Didcot had a
fairly good start but failed to capitalise on it and was bowled out for
186 on a good batting wicket. Viraj Perera 56, Prasad Kankadandi 22 and
Dave Allen 33 were the only notable contributions.
Didcot started well in their bowling department than in previous games
but on a flat unhelpful wicket could not make any inroads and A Inns
scored staggering 133 not out of the 188 for the loss of one wicket.
Abingdon Vale III 25 Points, Didcot II 4 points

Didcot 3rd's have a moral victory over Oxford and Bletchingdon 4ths, but the match finishes in a draw.

Elvis lost the toss (again!!) and was invited to bat by the opposition. At the time we were unsure whether it was an aggressive move by the opposition, or the best way they thought to not lose the game. Once the quality of the opening bowling was seen, it quickly became clear they were playing for the draw! Raj and Sean got us off to a good start with an opening partnership of 30. The pitch was proving hard to bat on as it was very slow and coupled with the pace (or rather lack of) of the bowling it made scoring runs tough.

Once Raj had departed, wickets fell steadily until Elvis and Mick came together with the score at 74 for 5. Elvis renewed his acquaintance with their leg spinner from earlier in the season and dispatched him for 17 in an over. This brought about a change of bowling and Mick decided to see this one off, clubbing him for 21 before he was quickly taken out of the attack.

Elvis was out for 57 with the score on 146 for 6, and this quickly became 148 for 9. Before the game had started there had been questions asked as to why James 'Boggy' Bywater was batting at number 11 when he usually opens for the U15's. Had he upset Elvis? Was there a hidden plan? The real reason was that Elvis had not done his homework and didn't know that he could bat! However his decision was vindicated when Mick and Boggy put on a last wicket partnership of 40, to take our score to 188 all out in the 46th over, with Boggy scoring 20 and Mick finishing on 35 not out. Pick of the opposition bowling was Haroon Sarwar with 5 for 44 from his 19.3 overs.

In reply Oxford and Bletchingdon started positively, but the lofted drive flew straight to Lewis Wilcox and they were 0 for 1. This quickly became 1 for 2 when Mick got his 2nd wicket and when Raj clean bowled their other opener with a ball that pitched short of a length and hit middle stump 2 inches up, they were in trouble. Mick then picked up 2 more wickets, another couple of pies that were too good for them and the opposition were 26 for 5 and Didcot were looking good. Unfortunately they then decided to shut up shop and despite some excellent bowling from Boggy and Sam we could not break through the 6th wicket partnership for 20 odd overs. Maha finally removed one of them and then Boggy and Raj got one wicket each before we ran out of overs. Oxford and Bletchingdon finished on 109 for 8 and got 9 points whilst Didcot got 14.

The comedy moment of the day has to go to Santosh. Following another ball down the leg side that stand in keeper Elvis had dived across to get but failed to gather cleanly, Santosh ran back from slip, picked the ball up, turned and threw at the stumps. Unfortunately his aim was slightly off and all he managed to hit was Elvis who was still lying on the ground, 10 yards from the wickets. A great performance from all, and a clear example of a team taking advantage of the rules and playing not to lose, rather than to win.

The fourths fielded a weak side against 2nd placed Tiddington III due to illness, holiday and unavailability, but made a good effort in extending the game to 7 pm before the inevitable collapse and, on paper, a heavy defeat. Stand-in captain Jonathan Hall won the toss and inserted the opposition, as it "seemed like a good idea at the time", and due to the promise of rain later.

The bowlers all struggled with a slow sloping pitch offering very little, and difficult terrain for the run ups. Humza couldn't get his run up right but showed potential. Dan Stainthorp bowled well in his first spell, clean bowling opener Paul Gladdy . Normally accurate Jack Broughton went for 61 in 6 overs and was mercilessly dispatched to all corners. A learning experience from which he will come back stronger. In all, 7 bowlers were used, 4 of whom conceded more than 10 per over, as Tiddington's second wicket pair put on nearly 200 (Willis 83 and Simms finishing on 116 not out). Not that there weren't chances though. The most significant was a difficult catch to Clive at the square leg boundary which he made a valiant attempt, leaping like a salmon but crashing to earth rather unlike any known fish, landing heavily on his shoulder causing much pain. After a sit and some ice he returned to slip.

Les Addison put the brakes on the innings in his two spells, and eventually took the second wicket of Willis with a good catch at midwicket. That triggered a mini collapse as Dan returned with some of the best bowling of the innings, having the centurion Simms in trouble, bowling Evans for a duck and then getting the edge from Cheney to go straight to Clive at slip. Through the pain, he reached up and plucked the ball majestically out of the air.

Tiddington reached 287 for 4 in just 37 overs and declared, giving themselves 55 overs to bowl at Didcot. Clive batted magnificently, striking 8 fours in his 60, but he only received significant support from Nick Grain as the rest of the team succumbed tamely. It was a tale of two collapses, before and after the House/Grain partnership. Hall opened and never looked comfortable, inexplicable padding up to a straight one and almost walking for an lbw decision, it was so plumb. The next two were both bowled, including Tom Spears with a rare failure to a spinner bowling a yorker on the stumps which came as a surprise to him!

Then the highlight of the batting as Clive and Nick batted out 20 overs for 60. Clive lofted the ball to the boundary and played it into the gaps in the massive outfield, complaining at all the running he had to do and at one stage colliding with the bowler and hurting the same shoulder again. Captain Hall left the umpire's position and found as many drugs as he could from his car to offer to Clive.

Nick Grain made just 15 but it was a massively important innings, showing excellent technique and giving great support to Clive. Even with most of the field around his bat he remained the model of calmness, and took us close to our batting point.

However, once Clive lost his off stump to the returning opening bowler Chris Goodman, it was a different story, as the last 6 batsmen contributed 2 runs between them and we collapsed to 102 all out and a second point in the match.

The predicted rain however threatened, it drizzled, lots of clouds came over but it was never quite dark enough or wet enough to come off. We occupied the crease for 40 overs and until 7 o'clock (Tiddington needed to bowl 15 overs in 30 mins to keep up with the rate at that stage) and had the forecast been right we would have salvaged a draw.

Its not all doom and gloom though. There was an excellent effort from all the team in the field, the bowlers tried hard on a very difficult pitch, which only Dan, Les and Chris Goodman really threatened. They had several players with experience of much higher divisions and were used to the idiosyncratic slopes and bumps of the Lewknor ground. We frustrated them, and Nick, Clive and Dan really stood out. Jack and Humza tried hard and will play a lot better with more reward on another day. Tom had a rare blip, Less bowled and fielded well, Ehsen bowled well in his over (almost having a catch taken) but was unlucky that it was going to be their last, and remained keen in the field. Jonathan won the toss which is about as much as you can say really...

Next up, Shipton III, who we were close to in the opening game of the season, and where we should have an excellent chance.

Team Mate

2009-07-12T10:49:00.000-07:00

What a finish. Like many of you I have just watched Jimmy and Monty snatch a draw we frankly didn't deserve. I do enjoy seeing Ponting looking so miserable, it makes me feel happy that The Convict Colony will go to work grumpy tomorrow having stayed up all night biting their nails and crying into their piss-weak lager.

We had a similar, gritty, final wicket partnership at the Field of Dreams yesterday. On a day when the weather was expected to save England's blushes in Cardiff and deny us all any meaningful cricket in Oxfordshire we took 25 points in the return fixture from the only side to have beaten us this year.

Invited to bat first by Oxford's, frankly slightly too cocky skipper we set off as the clouds scudded across. Jules started brightly, cutting particularly well on his way to 30. The caretaker had been promoted up the order with the hope that the extra responsibility would have the same effect as we have seen with Tee Kay. It sort of worked, a confident 37 was the reward before he felt he couldn't survive in the middle without the brotherly love of Connor. They were both out in consecutive balls and we were in trouble again at 100 for 6 in the 29th over. This was just the situation for Didcot's lower order specialist finisher. Pingu 'naughtie' Broughtie thrives in these conditions. Needless to say he contrived to fall out with a couple of Oxford's bowlers, no matter though. Adding 45 runs with Ross 'Deep Fat' Fryatt did part of the job; Ross batted sensibly, mixing defence with positive attacking shots. At 176 for 9 with 5 overs left we still needed more runs. Matt Tatford, debuting for the firsts had simple, clear instructions. DO NOT GET OUT! The lad can bat and defended like Monty and Jimmy. The last 5 overs yielded 37 runs and pushed us up to 213 for 9. A competitive score. Naughtie finished undefeated on 54, another fine innings for the team he loves; and useful for the average as well.

The clouds continued to scud across as we tucked into our Reggae, Reggae chicken and pavlova. The teas seem to be better than ever this season. Super.

Oxford openers started cautiously and got to 50 odd in a dozen overs. The pitch is a seam bowlers nightmare these last couple of weeks so we turned to Laurel and Hardy again. Hitchman is a name that is known by every opposition team we face, he has an uncanny knack of getting under everyone's skin. Maybe it is because they are jealous of the flowing locks and athletic build bestowed on him by a benevolent god. Anyhow, yesterday he was sledged by the non-striker. Good work Jules, keep it up.

The caretaker quickly removed both openers, a smart catch from Deep Fat, being the first of three in a fine all round performance. A fine running catch in the deep from Big Doug snaring the second. The Caretaker's third was clean bowled with a beautifully flighted ball.

The Judge picked up a couple more and we were on top. The sixth wicket took some time to arrive as Porter and Sadiqi couldn't decide whether to try and win the game or play for the arrival of the rain. Eventually they decided this was a match they could win. Going for their shots brought The Caretaker two more wickets, both courtesy of fine catches from Pritch.

The rain came, a pathetic amount really, but enough for the umpires to state that unless it stopped this would be the last over. The Caretaker took another one, and the rain stopped long enough for another over from Big Willy Willmott. (He is a fully paid up member of the Will Smith fan club, and has all the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air series on both VHS and DVD).

It only took him two balls, a straight one trimming the off stump to take them to 172 for 9, Oxford number 11 didn't look to be pleased to batting. He needn't have bothered at all as Sean did for him with a full, fast, straight one and he was LBW for a golden.

Cue hollering, whooping and hugging mid pitch.

Another fabulous team performance with stand out performances from Broughtie and The Caretaker who finished with 6 for 68 from 20 overs to claim the best bowling figures of the season so far.

Didcot II v Banbury IV

Didcot II lose to Banbury 4^th

Didcot won the toss and elected to bat. Didcot started well with a 230+ target in mind with first and second wicket partnerships of 50 runs each between Prasad and Viraj and then between Jose and Viraj. Didcot at 25 overs were 105 for 2 when Viraj Perera was out caught for 72. With 22 overs left with 7 wickets in hand Didcot were well placed, but Didcot collapsed for 167 runs in the 40^th over.

Having not used up all the overs Banbury had 53 over to get 167 runs. Didcot although fought to the end taking 6 wickets Didcot bowling wasn’t accurate (just compare the extras!) enough to trouble Banbury too much.

Banbury iV 25 Didcot II 9 points

As for the 3's! Well when the skipper starts off with the game plan of 'hope
it rains and soon' you can see we didn't actually have a positive mindset.

We won the toss and elected to field. Rob Green bowled fast and accurately
and really stood out, ending with 3 for 57. The skipper bowled two leg stump full tosses to start
with and got worse as the game progressed. Raj, 2 for 21, James Bywater and Lewis all
bowled well.

We soon started dropping catches and didn't really stop. We managed to take
6 wickets before they declared after 41 overs on 203-6.

Catches to Durrant, Sawhney and Ramanathan.

Batting was an immediate struggle against a very strong and confident young
team. We were bowled out for 72 in 27 overs with only Haydn getting into
double figures (22).

Not a great day but we played against a strong side with the best 13 year
old wickie you will ever see.

4ths lost to Oxford V (or VI, gets confusing).

We faced some serious demons on the Clifton Hampden pitch, with Les Addison
out first ball and both of their openers getting serious bounce and lift.
The other opener, Jonathan Hall, wore several and bears the bruises, but has
plenty of padding to take the blows.

Tom Spears top scored with 30, but no-one else was able to make a
significant contribution. When their experienced spinner came on, Tom was
unable to contain his excitement and lifted one into the air, and Simon
stepped on his stumps.

Their 10th man pulled up in agony chasing a ball with a torn calf muscle so
they would only be batting with 9.

Dan Stainthorpe and Humza Nadeem caused problems for Oxford's bowlers, but
couldn't find the same demons in the pitch. Oxford's opener lifted several
lofted fours and two sixes, one into the road outside the ground. Humza
took the wicket of their opener, caught by Hall from a ball that went so
high the rest of the team had tea while waiting for it to come back to
earth. Dan was particularly unlucky, missing a sharp caught and bowled
chance, and with a lofted top edge dropping between fielders despite a
valiant effort by Simon. Another sharp chance to Les in the slips went too
high. All told, probably 5 or 6 that on another day would have given
wickets, but eventually Didcot ran out of steam despite accurate bowling
from Harry Grainger and Alex Rodman at the end.

Didcot IV are still searching for the elusive victory but are competitive.
Just need to put more runs on the board, increase crease occupation and
convert the chances.

Up all Night

2009-07-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

As is normal for a man of my age I awoke early on Saturday morning, it strikes me as particularly unreasonable that as you enter a time in your life when sleep is ever more precious that for some inexplicable reason it becomes impossible to sleep beyond 6 something in the morning. Gone for ever is the teenage ability to lie in.

One reason for this is that as we age, the weight of responsibility weighs ever heavier and we rise early to confront the challenges and tribulations that life places in front of us. Another potentially plausible explanation is that we are increasingly aware of our mortality and we want to embrace every single daylight hour, give it a bear hug and wring the limitless, beautiful opportunity form it.

Alternatively it may be because we need to pee. You decide.

We have in our midst a young man who laughs in the face of sleep deprivation, cocks a snook at dozing and only gets home from work at half past five every Saturday morning. The fact that he turns up at the field of Dreams before midday is a significant achievement. What Tee Kay achieved in the space of a couple of hours in the afternoon yesterday was a bit tasty.

For the first time this season we batted first, it felt a bit odd. Vishane and Matt got us off to a solid start, then we wobbled from 57 for 0 to 77 for 4 from 22 overs. The next 28 overs saw us score another 233 runs to end on 310 declared, passing the record highest team score set only a few weeks ago on the way.

The men responsible for this feat: Pritch and the sleep deprived Teeks. Pritch scored 89 from only 59 balls and on any other day would have stolen the headlines. Fresh from a career high 152 earlier in the week whilst guesting as the only sighted player in the Ray Charles all star XI, he was in great nick. A flat, pulled six straight through a window in the power station was one of six balls lost in various parts of their property.

Teeks smashed 147 not out from only 97 balls, passing the club record individual league score on the way. His straight driving was awesome and included an effortless check driven six that went straight into the field over the trees. The innings included 9 fours and 10 sixes in total. Stunning stuff.

The 210 run partnership is now the current highest for the first XI, beating the record set earlier this season by Pritch and Cookie.

What followed was an advert for everything that is great about this wonderful game of our. It passed all our expectations and set the standard for the rest of the season.

My favourite moment was the scones with strawberries and cream, although the pork pies were damn fine as well.

Anyway, back to the cricket. The stage was set. Wolverton wanted to win and set about chasing. At 200 for 2 they were right in it and we needed wickets. Opener Chammings had scored 134 and would need to get a few more to maintain the momentum. Up hobbled Crab Hands, finding it difficult to walk, his glass ankle had one decent over left in it. It worked, and at 200 for 3 we were getting back into the game. Wolverton didn't give up and continued to score briskly. We balanced the need for wickets with the need to keep the run rate manageable. It worked and we took wickets regularly.

It was simmering along nicely and still in the balance at 251 for 7 with 7 overs left. Pritch clean bowled Wolverton No. 4, Wade and we were back on top and chasing the last 3 wickets. We nearly got there, Wolverton ending on 279 for 9. We had our chances along the way and could have won, however the draw seemed like the fair result. Pritch took 3 for 30 with Vishane picking up 3 catches along the way.

A great way to pick up 17 points and extend our lead at the top at the halfway point in the season. The second half of the season will be tougher for us, we will have to raise our performance levels higher still to keep our hold on top spot.

Didcot II v Aston Rowant III

Aston Rowant won the toss and invited Didcot to bat first. Accurate bowling restricted Didcot to 200-4 in their 47 overs. Viraj Perera top scoring with 69, Connor Morrison not out 35, Dave Allen 37 and Dan Alderson contributing at the end with a quick 20 not out.

Didcot took to the field with Morrison suffering from sun stroke! Followed by Alderson suffering from side strain after bowling 4 overs, then followed by Hancock going off the field with a headache. Didcot bowlers didn’t trouble the home team, runs coming freely (6/7 per over) when Peter Sykes was introduced to the attack and he took two wickets. Hancock was back in the field after a while and it was Peter’s turn to go off the field with calf strain. We were dropping off like flies while Aston Rowant was cruising to their target. A run out and a couple wickets from Green at the end earned Didcot some bonus points and Aston Rowant reached 200 for the loss of 5 wickets in the 42^nd over.

Didcot were 20/30 runs short as well as weren’t as accurate in their bowling as Aston Rowant.

The thirds and fourths lost I'm afraid. No details have been set through to me. Come on chaps, if you want to feature in this blog I need details................

Tears Are Not Enough

2009-06-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you made a child cry? Many children have been moved to tears by the gyrations of The King of Pop; for one unlucky lad the gyrations of Simon Pritchard had the same affect yesterday on an oppressive, sticky day at Long Marston.

No inappropriate touching involved, you understand; just the combination of the fearsome animalistic howl of "How's That?" as the ball took a thick inside edge and the ball rapped against the pad. The umpire's finger did the rest.

The young lad trudged off inconsolable and told his Mum he wanted to move clubs or give up the game altogether. Another career destroyed and a heart broken by the vagaries of deaf umpires.

The firsts collected another 25 points at what has often been an unhappy hunting ground. Long Marston is an almost perfect cricket ground, it just lacks a pub on the corner and a duck pond. Skipper Gates called correctly again and we invited Marston to bat on a belter of a wicket. they were overjoyed, the fools. Only opener Mike Lyons had an answer to the Didcot attack. Two early wickets from South African infidel Sean (call that a beard?) Willmott gave us a great start. Lyons then tucked in and batted with power and timing, this guy is pure class and had only dropped out of their first team because he needed to be near to home. We stuck at our task well, taking regular wickets at the other end and didn't once let our heads drop. Crab Hands finally got his reward for an excellent spell of bowling and picked up 3 for 30 from his 15 overs.

It took the introduction of the golden armed heart breaker Pritchard to account for Lyons, a premeditated flick to deep backward square falling towards Willmott who took a fine catch to see him on his way for 88 from a total at that stage of 130. Undoubtably helped by some All You Can Eat bowling from the Caretaker he played beautifully. Marston's slender hopes followed him back to the pavilion as Pritch then polished off the tail, ending with a superb 3 for 11 including the aforementioned LBW. A professional, high quality performance in the field left Marston 80 short of par and us eating tea at 3.15. Rock On.

It got hotter and hotter. Shade was at a premium. It takes more than baking hot sunshine to make this Didcot team wilt though. Vishane was adjudged LBW by the same umpire, thereby proving he needs glasses as well as a hearing aid. A bold move by Skipper Gates saw Tee Kay promoted to three. He and Crab Hands took the score to 84 before the old war horse was out. Some powerful batting and sweet timing from Matt saw him collect 41 runs to add to his 3fer.

By now Tee Kay had broken Long's spirit; had there been more Mum's at the ground I fear we may have seen more tears. Tom went on to make 74 fine runs, driving superbly through the vee off both front and back foot he was pure class. When he was out we only needed 16 to win, just to rub salt in to the wounds he ran off the field in 90 degree heat, they breed them tough in Didcot.

Bernard and the Monster knocked the last few off and we were done by 5.30 with 32 overs left.

Our best performance of the season so far was rounded off by the team singing the new Didcot song 'Under the Shadow of the Towers' lead by Didcot's King Of Pop. Splendid.

Didcot II v Stokenchurch II played at Didcot on 27/6/09

Stokenchurch won the toss and invited Didcot to bat first. Didcot went on to score 221 for 6 declared (46 overs) with Viraj Perera scoring a hundred (110) with 15 fours and 5 sixes supported by Connor Morrison (33)

Stokenchurch lost early wickets to the Didcot opening pair Dan Alderson and Stewart Green (2 each). From there onwards Stokenchurch shut-up shop early as the 13^th over. Henry Latimer (17-4-43-3) bowling his off spin from one-end created chances but Didcot failed to finish off Stokenchurch and it ended in an unexciting draw

Didcot II 16 points Stokenchurch II 7 point.

A draw was also the result for the thirds, batting first, knocking up 257 for 7 with contributions from Haydn , Elvis, Shaun Stewart and a fine 60 from Rob Kenworthy. As is often the case with unadventurous teams Abingdon never really went for the win and we fell 5 wickets short of another win.

The fourths had a game of two halves. Cumnor were bowled out for 163, with Jack (Get him on earlier) Broughton taking 4 for 17 and James (Get him on earlier) Bywater 3 for 31. We started well and at nought for nought were still in it. 46 runs later it was all over. Oh dear.

Until next week you lovely bunch.

Skip

Another Brick in The Wall

2009-06-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

Habits. Odd aren't they. Without even thinking about it or even trying sometimes, you fall into them and then it is hard to change. I don't know if this is true or not but I am pleased that we appear to be developing a winning habit.

Incidentally, would anybody miss wasps if they were all quietly eradicated ? I struggle to see what they bring to the party; bees seem to have worked it out. Yellow and black stripes and stings, yep; but crucially they have realised that production of honey makes them popular little chaps, not just with pooh bear and humans but with the Honey Badger as well.

Highlight of yesterday's cricket was the fourths match at Bicester. The club record partnership was broken, 218 for the first wicket beating the previous best of 189 set in 1993. Clive House and Rajat Sawhney, take a bow. Clive's 123 also puts him in the top 10 highest individual scores and the team total of 304 for 4 is also a new record. The game ended in a draw as Bicester shut up shop and dead batted early on.

Firsts, seconds and thirds all won again. The thirds beating Witney comprehensively, fine bowling from all four seamers seeing Witney all back in the hutch for only 118. Pick was Sharma with 5 for 25. We knocked the runs off for the loss of a couple, Prasad scoring an undefeated 65 (all from square cuts, possibly) and was ably supported by Rob Kenworthy's patient 35.

The seconds travelled to Dinton. Dinton didn't really turn up and had no answer to Vishane Perera's blistering pace and hostility, all out for 106 with Venomous Vish taking 5 for 15. Early wickets in the chase had hearts a flutter before Didcot Legend Dave Allen stepped up and mixed swashbuckling with doughty defence to score 56 not out for a comfortable 5 wicket win.

The Field of Dreams proved to be an unhappy place for the Market Square Heroes of Thame who played the firsts. They irritated The Judge before we had even started by calling our Pavilished a rabbit hutch. Ironically it is the only place you won't find rabbits. Skipper Gates avoided a 50p fine by winning the toss and invited Thame to bat on what looked like a strip of tarmac.

Crab Hands and Bomber Sinclair opened up. I was glad I wasn't batting against them, bounce and pace before the ball went soft brought a couple of early wickets and the by now inevitable invitation to return to the hutch by Jules. We took wickets regularly and were always on top. Thame mustered just 120, at least 100 short of par. 3 wickets apiece for Crab Jones, The Judge and Bomber. Bernard Burningham was exceptional in the field, saving at least 20 runs and taking a fine catch.

Frustratingly our top order failed again and we were in familiar territory at 20 odd for 3 again with only Jules offering any resistance. 56 for 5 soon turned into 99 for 5 as Cookie was joined by Naughty Snr. Both attacked and we all felt a lot more comfortable. At the rain break Andy informed me he wasn't going to get out. He got out. Never mind he had done enough. Cookie played another monster innings, 58 not out earning man of the match. Despite a sore back he played with great self control early on and then opened his shoulders and won it with a flurry of boundaries. Done and dusted by 6.30 and still top of the league. Happy Days. A long way to go still, but 25 more points towards our target.

It was great to be joined by some of the returning seconds and thirds at the ground and for some of the Thame team to stay behind for a drink.

I for one am already impatient. Next Saturday seems a long way off and I am really looking forward to sharing my extensive knowledge of Honey Badgers with a fine body of men at Long Marston.

Skip

Achilles Last Stand

2009-06-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

Into the sun the south the north, at last the birds have flown
The shackles of commitment fell, in pieces on the ground

Oh to ride the wind, To tread the air above the din
Oh to laugh aloud, Dancing I fought the crowds, yeah

What exactly were Jimmy and Robert on when they wrote these lines ? It may heave been a glass of squash and a cheese and pickle sandwich but history does not record this level of detail. Whatever, this food of the gods is what fuels us for 18 Saturdays of every year.

As an aside Tracy has just asked me what 'that racket is' on the stereo. I tried to explain using simple, short words that it is 10 minutes 32 seconds of epic 1970's genre defining rock 'n roll in the shape of "Achilles Last Stand by Led Zeppelin. "Well it's shit" was the response as she retreated to the garden for a Pimms. Birds; multi tasking, intuitive, sensitive, beautiful, wonderful philistines.

So, what of the cricket? I hear you beg.

The firsts travelled deep in to the Cotswolds in search of another win. Bourton Vale won the toss and decided to bat, perfect. Crab hands Jones has clearly learnt plenty watching and playing in the midweek games and decided to put this into action by bowling a spell of Caretaker like buffet bowling. The Vale openers tucked in and ate their fill. A catch by Bris off Dan broke the partnership but did nothing to slow the run rate. 63 for 1 after 9 overs on a hot afternoon with a belter of a wicket was looking bleak. The early introduction of The Judge immediately brought a wicket , The Caretaker taking a fine running catch in the deep and setting the standard for what turned out to be a fine fielding display. Tee Kay got as much help from the pitch as Dan and Matt and was replaced by The Caretaker, now bowling in partnership with The Judge.

The Laurel and Hardy of spin whirled away for 35 overs between them. The scoring rate dropped like a stone and with one exception we took every chance. Fine work from Bris (can anyone come up with a better nick name?) behind the stumps who took a sharp catch off Jules and conceded no byes. Also worthy of mention was Broughton Snr. with two catches. Jules finished with 4 for 104 from his 22 overs, and Jordan produced his best spell of bowling yet finishing with 3 for 26 from his 13 overs, including six maidens. Vale ended on 214 all out, below par on that wicket.

Our innings started poorly again. Pob got a good one first ball and was good enough to edge to the keeper. Matt mis- timed one to cover and Cookie threw his wicket away. So we were 44 for 4. No panic this time as Pritch joined Bris. They took the score to 107, Henry playing his best innings so far this season ending up with 36.

I would like to be able to tell you that Broughton Snr. strode to the wicket purposefully. He didn't. He took baby steps on account of having strained his achilles muscles in the field. Eight overs of consolidation provided the platform for Pritch to accelerate. Batting again with a focus and purpose that are an example to all of us Simon chose the right balls to defend and attack and pushed on past his 50. These two friends enjoy batting together and it showed. Taking the score to 196 before he was out for 72, Pritch had provided the spine to the innings again. The Caretaker joined Broughtie, whose achilles were now causing real pain. A couple of lusty blows and it was all over.

Another 25 points in the bag. Results elsewhere mean we are top of the division. A position we intend to defend ruthlessly for the remainder of the season.

As we sat dutifully listening to the fines committee a hot air balloon in an adjacent field provided some distracting moments as news started to filter through from the seconds and thirds.

Didcot II V Twyford II played at Didcot

Didcot won the toss and elected to bat first. It wasn’t the start we planned for; first wicket at 6, a ball pitches short on the leg side, Vishane (4) set him self for a pull short but did not bounce hit his ‘Aero’ pads and then the stumps. On the other side, a bouncer took Jose (8) buy surprise and he gloved it to the slips. Henry Latimer (0) then played a lackadaisical pull shot down the square legs throat!

Andy Ireson and Viraj Perara then started to settle the innings a bit when Viraj played a ball onto the stumps and was out for 27 followed by Andy who cut a full toss, it was travelling at ‘99.9%’ of speed of light! However the fielder managed to hold on to the catch but ended up dislocating his little finger and breaking it in three places. He was still at JR at the end of the game (Andy taking a wicket as well without bowling single ball!). Gary’s wife Linda who had done the teas for us and was enjoying a glass of wine had to take the injured player to hospital and spend the whole afternoon out in Abingdon and since they could not sort out the injury at Abingdon hospital then had to be taken to the JR.

Dave Allen batted well for his 50 runs and had a partnership of 73 with Mike Slade. After Dave Allen departed Mike was batting well until he had a flash of 20-20 vision, when he was a ‘left hander’ for a delivery which got the stumps uprooted! (wish I had my camera). Gray Hunt 22 not out and Sean Willmott 13 not out took the Didcot total to 204 for 8 in 47 overs giving a ‘decent’ total for the bowlers to bowl at.

Twyford started without their regular opener (broken finger). There was a missed chance in the second over (Carl’s first) behind the wicket but other than that they were not bothered too much and at 35 for no loss Henry Latimer was introduced to the attack but he went for 26 runs in 3 overs and was no threat to the batsmen at all. A change of tactics was required and Dave Allen and Viraj Perera came into the attack and slowed down the run rate and put the batting side under pressure. Dave Allen taking 3 for 44 runs in 10 overs. Then Sean Willmott was re-introduced into the attack with Viraj Perera still bowling accurately to keep the pressure on the batting side. Viraj Perera 14 overs 4 mdns 35 for 1 and Sean finishing the innings at 11.2 overs 2 mdns 29 for 3. A good team effort by the Didcot IIs saw the so far un-beaten Twyford falling shot of the Didcot total and all out for 174!

Thirds Won Yessssssss!!!!!!!!

Our bowling

Sharma 15-4-54-3

Prasad 2-0-22-1

DP 11-3-8-2

Biplob 8-1-28-3

James Bywater 4-0-18-0

Catches Connor x 2 Haydn x2

Batting

Connor 40 (really dodgy decision)

Raj 7

Prasad 25

Santosh 28 not out

Shaun Stewart 33 notout

Didcot 25 Points Great Tew 6.

Bloody marvellous performance. Connor, Sharma, Biplob and Shaun all ‘stood up to the plate’.

Connor particularly looked like he was ‘coming of age’ batting and fielding, I appointed him captain when I came on to bowl the sixth over and he was excellent.

Not much news from the fourths I'm afraid. perhaps someone can let me have some details for future weeks. The result isn't important for this team, it is all about experience and playing competitive cricket. It is where the Pritchard's and Broughton's of the future take their first steps.

So, three wins for the first time ever. Quite a weekend. Sadly it is another 6 days until we do it all again. Just enough time for injuries to heal.

Skip

I just don't know what to do with myself

2009-06-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

Rain. The scourge of ice cream vendors, deck chair attendants and cricketers.

Like many of you my Saturday was spent searching for something to fill the void. I searched in vain for an opportunity to at least watch some cricket. This fruitless search left me feeling listless and grumpy. Of course there were many things I could have done to fill the time productively. That painting remains unframed, the grass is as long as it was on Friday and my CD's are still not organised alphabetically.

The weekend wasn't a complete disaster; the Aussies lost, we qualified for the Super 8's and I got to spend some quality time with the squeeze.

Skip

Past, Present and Future

2009-05-31T12:35:00.000-07:00

If you could choose any animal to be, what would you choose ? It is quite a long list to choose from as there are at least fourteen species of fish, 3 other mammals, more than a dozen insects and 148 species of owl. I occasionally ponder this question. How about you ?

Yesterday brought yet another glorious hot, sunny day and the usual saturday rituals of knotted stomach, putting on left shoes first, buying of red bull and tabs and for some lucky souls buttering endless loaves of bread and slicing quiche and pork pies. Cricket must be the only situation where men and boys gather to share pork pies. (apparently 78% of them are eaten secretly).

Didcot's finest gathered at the Field of Dreams with a shared feeling not experienced for some years; how would we respond to having beaten the villains and dames of Brackley and winning two games back to back.? The answer? Emphatically!

I cannot remember a more satisfying win in my short time at this club of ours. Inviting the opposition to bat first again, stand in skip Simon Pritchard demanded a repeat of last weeks disciplined, professional performance. Watching from the boundary I would have given us 6 out of 10. Not very good you may think. What was different was that despite catches going down and some sloppy ground fielding the team stayed positive and together. Fine spells of bowling from Judge Jules and Caretaker Morrison wrestled the initiative back; taking 3 wickets apiece and bowling 31 overs between them they restricted Tiddington to 213 from 53 overs. Had the fielding been sharper either of them would have the pfieffers they deserved. The innings finished with crab hands Jones limping around the boundary having pulled a muscle that most of us don't even possess (adductor, anyone?). Many lesser men (not from Yorkshire) would have cried into their sandwiches. Matt rubbed some Gout cream in and strapped on his pads.

The pork pie interval was somber, partly because it was damn hot, but mainly because chasing over 200 at 4.5 an over was something Didcot don't do anymore.

We had a talk about personal responsibility and who was going to get the runs. The consensus seemed to be that 'Someone Else' would. Mr S. Else doesn't play for Dicot, so we were doomed.

As with many prophecies the next 8 overs seemed to be self fulfilling. 36 for 4. We were shooting ourselves in the feet again. What followed was the new Didcot, the Didcot that fights and believes.

Cookie and Pritch both started looking like they had never played the game before. They toughed it out though and gradually the fluency came and the runs followed. By simply leaving the good balls and putting the bad ones away they scored at 5 an over and finished the game off. Both played the best innings I have seen from them (although I am sure they will tell you about better ones). An unbroken partnership of 181 saw us home by 6 wickets. Spare a thought for The Judge, he spent 34 overs padded up chewing his fingernails.

How do we follow that? We go to Horspath next week and make it 4 on the bounce.

Mixed fortunes elsewhere...... The seconds racked up over 200 again, another 50 from Vishane and 30 odd from 'Didcot Legend' Dave Allen with useful knocks from the lower order. It wasn't enough though and we wilted in the heat.

The thirds will want to quickly forget about their day, 86 all out didn't look like being nearly enough. At 36 for 6 in reply it was starting to look like we may pull off an improbable win. Catches win matches however..........

The fourths had their best result of the season, drawing at home. A career best score from Jonathan Hall no doubt making his day in the sun well worthwhile. It is onwards and upwards for the future stars of Didcot.

Tally Ho...........

It's Not The Thing Henry

2009-05-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

I am going to start by mis-quoting Gore Vidal - "Nothing makes me happier than seeing a friend fail".

The 1sts left Brackley with 25 points and heads held high yesterday after a performance that fills us with confidence and most of all satisfaction. After inviting them to bat we restricted Brackley to a total of 97 for 8 from a mind numbing 53 overs. Newby, Ian Sinclair, opened the bowling and from ball one had pace, accuracy and control. Matt (Angus) Jones came up the hill with metronomic accuracy and movement. Brackley had no answer and not once broke free from the shackles. Supported by a monster short spell from Cookie and some superb ground fielding it took 43 overs for the 50 to come up, such was the dominance.

Ian finished with 2 for 25 from 20 overs and Matt 4 for 50 from 25 overs. We were never troubled in the run chase, knocking them off for the loss of only 3 wickets; admittedly with a little help from Brackley's pantomime villain Henry Newby dropping a sitter at slip and running away from a ball that was hit quite hard at him.

Sadly, our other teams faired less well, all losing heavily. I am sure they will respond and come back fighting next week.

So, the challenge next week is for all teams to raise their performance again, whether it be to bounce back from defeat or to build on a good performance. Most importantly though, play the game in the right spirit. Swearing, sulking and unsporting behaviour are just not the thing to do.

Steve

Fight For Your RIght

2009-05-17T01:16:00.000-07:00

I awoke with a sense of excitement, tinged with concern that the weather may spoil the party on Saturday.

I need not have worried, the clouds scudded overhead for most of the afternoon, but the rain stayed away. It was reet nippy though; perhaps we need a log fire in our pavilished.

A first victory of the season for the 1sts against Sandford St Martin was well earned, we had to fight all the way and never really bossed the game. A fine performance from Matt Jones with 4 for 49 and then 71 with the bat. Julian Hitchman with 5 for 48 dedicated his phiffer to Cheryl and the one with red hair from Bucks Fizz as he worked himself into a frenzy of eurovision excitement. Simon Pritchard fought hard throughout his innings, finally finding some timing and even hitting a couple off the square to finish with 30 not out.

The 2nds took 16 points from a draw they dominated at Abingdon Vale, 81 and 42 from Perera's Senior and Junior set up a total of 219 for 5 with some powerful hitting from Jose Taboada, Dave Allen and Connor Morrison who hit the ball (much) further than anyone else. Vale ended up 9 down and 30 odd short with wickets for Carl Hancock, Sean Willmott and another 5 wicket haul for Didcot Legend Dave Allen

The 3rds also dominated a drawn match against Oxford and Bletchingdon, runs from Santosh Bhat and some blatant jug evasion from Paul (blue suede shoes) Costello and Haydn Durrant with 49 each set a competitive total. The opposition were never in the run chase and settled for a draw early on.

Our 4ths continued to enjoy riding the learning curve setting Tiddington 140 odd to win in Division 10. A debut Cherwell League wicket for Jack Broughton (son of another Didcot Legend) was a highlight, as were the skippers trousers.

The early part of the season is about hard work, determination and fighting hard to find some touch with the bat and rhythm with the ball. Experience teaches us this. Pritch summed it up - "it's not a day for the flashy b*****ds".

Patience

2009-05-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

Well, that's the first weekend of the season proper done and dusted.

A bit of a curates egg of a day, a fine victory for the 2nds with good performances from Henry Latimer and Vishane Perera with the bat and from Sean Willmott with the ball; a comfortable draw for the 3rds with a magnificent 111 not out from Andy Ireson; defeat for the 4ths despite some good contributions from many in the team and defeat for the 1sts who failed to perform to our potential with no stand out performances despite 4 wickets for Dan Alderson and a fine knock at the end from Tom Kennedy.

Confidence and belief are fragile commodities and we were short of both in the 1sts. I believe that the only answer is hard work allied to determination.

Getting 44 players out every saturday will also require similar qualities if selection for this coming weekend is anything to go by!

Dreadlock Holiday

2009-05-04T12:05:00.000-07:00

I don't like cricket.

I love it.

To some of us the words of Kevin Godley and Lol Creme (aka 10cc) will have been ringing in our ears last Saturday. It really is the only sport worth bothering with when the sun shines, the barbie is cranked up and the thwack of leather on willow echoes back from the power station walls.

Saturday's Interclub matches marked the proper start of what is going to be a festival of Cricket for Didcot. If we believe the Government spin machine (The met office) this summer is going to be a cracker, so slip on a hat, slop on some sun cream and settle into your deck chairs.

Saturday's two games showed what promise we have at our club; both keenly fought and competitive with some superb performances with bat and ball on all sides.

A great start to the JOGLE fund raising as well, please continue to support this fantastic effort, I am sure we could all see the limited facilities we have in our Pavilished. We all deserve so much better and have to make it happen ourselves.

The real competitive stuff starts this week with a Downs League match on Wednesday evening at the Field of Dreams followed by four, yes count 'em, four Cherwell League matches on Saturday.

It is time for the all of us players to stand up and be counted. Don't leave it for someone else to get the runs and wickets, no 'yeah buts', no blaming the pitch or the umpires. Play Hard, Play Fair and enjoy being part of a fantastic club playing the best sport In The World.

We've only just begun

2009-04-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

So, the season opener in now behind us. A somewhat mixed side travelled to Great Tew's picture postcard ground on a day that was perfect for cricket. Shorn of 4 players who turned out for the County we stood toe to toe with a confident side, 4 divisions above us.

We lost, but take real confidence into our first league game in 3 weeks. Stand out performances were Shaun Burningham's fielding, Jose's catch, 3 catches for Ross Fryatt behind the stumps and an excellent spell of 9 overs from Jordan Morrison; bowling with control and variety, collecting 3 for 36. We lost wickets regularly with only real resistance offered by Matt Jones who top scored with 32. A fine cameo effort at the end from Dan Alderson, who, had he found gaps rather than fielders could have scored a fifty. He was well supported by Jordan and they had Tew worried for a while.

Look out for details of the Interclub game on 2nd May, an opportunity to play at the Field of Dreams with and against the finest cricket talent in Didcot. We will have a BBQ running from mid afternoon and the bar will be open early.

Do come and support, whether you are playing or not; bring family and friends. It will be a great start to an exciting season. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Steve