It's raining, men.

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

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

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

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.............

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

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

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

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.