With this hotly anticipated return fixture looming, there were quiet murmurings about how many points we needed, and was it even possible for a 26-0 points swing. Equally, the rumours that Dorch were without some of their players only heightened the excitement.  

In the background of all of this, Harvester: silver fox, The Tron, Harvey and Mabbs: Moobalicious, Green Giant, Mabbett were both tied on wickets for the bowling award. Both were smiling when skip won the toss and chose to bowl, but the rivalry was there for all to see.  

Mabbs started off by dismissing Rudling for 5, with a peach of a delivery: starting on middle and leg, swinging back and taking the edge to be pouched by Binners. And it wasn’t long before Mabbs had a 2nd with the Pugh being pinned LBW for the plumbest appeal in the world.  

Mister Harvey wasn’t to take this lying down, and he removed Alderson for 1, bowling a rank half tracker which the batsman spooned to Challand at mid on. He then got another to draw level on the wickets tally, bowling Neal for a duck.  

Wickets continued to tumble with Wilbury removing the Airs and Douglas in consecutive balls, first with a top catch at sort extra by Chief and then with a nick off behind to Bingo. Alas the hat-trick was not to be with Sharman sturdy in defence. Bim finally got the wicket he deserved with McComb edging to Rob-O at slip. Chief was brought into the game continuing his fine end of season form taking a return catch straight into the bread basket from Sharman departing for 11, and then Webber three balls later advancing down the track and missing with Bingo destroying the stumps. Three balls later the innings was over with Dugdale caught at cow corner by Iceman from the bowling of Bim, leaving Daniel stranded on 4. 

What was potentially going to be our hardest match, had turned into a drubbing! Dorcester were all out for 37 in just over 24 overs! 

Bowling figures were as follows:  
Harvey – 6,0,10,2 
Mabbett – 5,2,3,2 
Bury – 5,3,6,2, 
Liyananchichi – 6.1, 3, 8, 2 
Haine – 2,0,10,2 

We went straight back out ignoring the calls for tea, as we had only just started. Colin was quickly dismissed, walking straight across his stumps and being given out LBW by Mabbett Snr. Colin was complaining about the umpire getting his glasses checked, but everyone else agreed that he was ‘Just so Plumb’. 

Rob-O and Baz (who was making his season debut on the last game of the season) hit the 37 runs in 4.4 overs, the highlight of which was Rob hitting consecutive 6’s to finish the game.  

And by 2:30 that was that…Wantage win by 9 wickets finishing with 26 points and Dorchester claiming a single point thanks to their panel umpire to ensure they. 

We sorted out nominations, agreed that we were basically winners of the league having drawn on points with Dorchester only to be denied by an umpire point, and then promptly got the beers on. 

MoM = Mabbs for his bowling figures and wickets 

Pigs = Wilbury for a misfield (that honestly no one remembers, because we fielded like pros) 

Champagne Mo = Rob for finning the game with consecutive 6’s.  

And that ladies and genltlemen is that. End of a great first Cherwell Season and “Not Bad for an OCA team!”. 

The Season Doo is set for the 25th Sept, so see you all there… 

Mabbs out!