2010

And so to D-Day, Do or Die. Do Dorchester or Die a Death. Basically, we needed to win to guarantee promotion, or, as the mathematically gifted among us had worked out, score 5 bonus points and then get the match cancelled for rain. That didn't look like it was going to be a problem though, as the weather was fine for the whole of Saturday, so we knew what we had to do. We'd beaten Dorchester earlier this season, bowling them out for under 100, but struggling to their total for 5 wickets,…continue reading →

A bright day dawned upon Wantage, so for a change we didn't expect our game to be affected in any way by adverse weather. This probably pleased both teams, as we were both looking to win in order to try and secure promotion. Shrivenham had a long shot, given that it was their last game, but they had been reasonably consistent so we knew we'd have to play well to beat them. Despite another late umpiring arrival, we got started at 1.30, bowling as usual (I've no idea if Colin won the toss…continue reading →

Colin won the toss and as usual fielded, despite Steve Yates having told him he would be turning up late. This proved none too costly, however, as Chaz and Mabs bowled tightly for the first few overs until he turned up. Both of them were keeping a tight line and length, and James was eventually rewarded when the opener miscued an off side drive to NiB at point. The Freeland number three then decided that life was too short for cricket, spurning caution and technique to aim every single one of his 7…continue reading →

We turned up at the allotted time, ready for a 1.30 start, which put us in a field of one, as only half of Chalgrove's team turned up, and the second umpire also didn't make it til the 4th over. He probably wished he hadn't though, partly due to Ryan sledging him for calling two or three tight leg side wides, and partly due to the paucity of actual cricket which was served up by the Chalgrove batsmen. They only had 8 men and appeared to be playing for rain, but we managed…continue reading →

After stealing victory from the jaws of defeat on the last ball of the away match earlier in the season, the return fixture was eagerly awaited. A heavy shower in the morning had given some cause for concern, but once Mongo got his legs out the sun shone to dry the pitch ready for the game to start on time. Colin's attendance at a wedding later in the day relegated him to scoring duties, leaving Barry to take the reins for the first time this season. He began well, winning the toss and…continue reading →

We arrived at Garsington looking to banish some bad memories from last year's away fixture and were boosted by the return to Saturday action of Chaz and Nick Wilkins. A 10 man Garsington side were depleted by injuries, holidays and wedding attendance but despite this Colin managed to lose yet another toss and we were invited to field. On a good-looking pitch and lightning fast outfield, Ryan and Steve Yates bowled particularly well to build the pressure on Garsington. Steve finished with 2 for 22 and Ryan deserved more than his 1 for…continue reading →

After some rain during the week, we arrived at Shrivenham to find a decidedly green-looking wicket. As usual, Colin lost the toss and the Shrivenham skipper had no hesitation in inviting us to bat. This looked to be a good decision when we found ourselves 23 for 3 with Ryan and both Nick Burtons back in the shed. At one end the Shrivenham opening bowler Josh Kirk was moving the balling prodigiously in the air and off the pitch, but it was a different story at the other end as the other opener…continue reading →

On a muggy day, Colin finally pulled his weight as Captain and won the toss. He chose to bat, where he undid all the good work of winning the toss by reversing the batting order as usual. Ryan, NiB, Barry, Ian and Steve all departed to leave Wantage struggling at 50-5, although Steve hit a couple of nice shots in his 22, and Barry was out to an excellent catch at backward point. Consequently it was left to OT and Colin to rebuild a faltering innings. They did this well with a good…continue reading →