Swinbrook (A) – OCA League Div 5

The weather was a bit miserable as we met up at the club for the final league game of the season, although spirits were high as usual as we contemplated the remote possibility of snatching the title from under Cairns Fudge’s nose. This would require a 30 points win and for Fudge to underperform to the tune of less than 7 points. This seemed unlikely. However we got in our usual convoy and headed off to Swinbrook in chirpy mood despite the weather. Moods were dampened slightly by the prospect of the pudding…continue reading →

Horley II – Away – OCA League

With promotion secured, we travelled to Horley amid talk of reversed batting and bowling orders. That was, however, unlikely to happen considering Horley were an unknown quantity after the home game fell victim to the weather and recently they had beaten league leaders Cairns Fudge. That we arrived at the ground at all was something of an achievement because the postcode on the OCA website took us to a village a few miles away. It was worth the trip though, with the ground attractively situated and the covers just being removed as we…continue reading →

Chesterton – Home – OCA League

For our last home game of the year, we faced Chesterton, who we had beaten in the cup, but been smashed beyond sight in the league. However, the difference this time was in knowing that a win would put us beyond Chesterton in second place and secure promotion with two games left to play. After last season’s final day heroics that would seem a bit of an anti-climax but nonetheless we were all keen and ready despite the early morning deluge which looked like it might prevent us playing. As it happened we…continue reading →

Challow – Away – Friendly

Once again positions were in great demand to play at the batsman’s paradise of Challow CC. JP as usual had provided us with an absolute belter of a batting track and a very short leg side boundary thanks to an earlier under 13’s match, would prove very interesting circumstances to score runs on the formidable lightning outfield! Grant ‘6 pack’ Summersbee and Ren r rrr Ren were given the arduous task of opening the bowling on the exceedingly flat wicket, proving that quick bowling wasn’t going to be the flavour of Wantages day.…continue reading →

Uffington – Away – OCA League

As England were racking up the runs against India and we started to wonder whether our Day 5 Test Match tickets were going to prove worthwhile, we all found our way to Uffington, surprised to find that the heavy rain which had hit Wantage in the morning had not found its way there. It didn’t look like a cricket match was about to be played however, as all 11 Wantage players stood around ready and waiting but opposition players, umpires, stumps and a boundary rope were all conspicuous by their absence. Eventually the…continue reading →

Brill – Away – OCA League

An early meeting up the club saw a few hungover faces, but everyone was in good spirits for the game against Brill, which was begun at 12:30 to allow us to get back for PicNic’s wedding in the evening. We arrived after driving to the wrong side of the ground, and were surprised to see a damp pitch which wouldn’t have looked out of place at the Glastonbury festival. There was a radio recording going on next door to our changing room, and the next-door-toilet was a brutal assault on the nose even…continue reading →

Crowmarsh – Home – Derek Shorter Cup

It was time for another year where Wantage cricket club and Crowmarsh lock horns in battle for the Derek Shorter cup. Crowmarsh players were early, chilling on the grass soaking up the atmosphere. However, they were a little short on players so two of our players; Simon Martin (who they wrote in the score book as S.Simon), and the legendry marvel known as Picnic, stepped in to make it 11 a side. Cheers guys, just shows what kind of club we are and growing into. Mr Etham won the toss for Crowmarsh and…continue reading →

Great Horwood II – Home – OCA League

The first weekend of August brought with it our penultimate Saturday home game of the season. It's a good job that's the case, since the day started with the now customary breaking of the ground maintenance equipment. This week's culprit was Grant, who contrived to shear off the connector between the tractor and the outfield mowing blades. Our pre-match fielding drills were well underway as the opposition arrived after their long trek from Great Horwood, and for a change the fielding looked quite convincing as most catches were taken and very few throws…continue reading →

Cairns Fudge – Away – OCA League

We found our way to Stanton St John, ready for a high-intensity top of the table clash against in form Cairns Fudge. The feeling was that to win the league we’d really have to grind out a result so it was a good start when Colin won the toss, even if he later admitted he didn’t know what to do. The Wantage fielders were relieved as he chose to bat in the roasting afternoon sun – the British Summer finally beginning. In NiB’s absence Ryan took over opening duties, and played an uncharacteristic…continue reading →

Cassington – OCA League – Home

Having fallen further behind Cairns Fudge last week after the ridiculous OCA rulebook gave us 5 points for a rained off game, whilst they were able to play a game and win 30 points, we knew that we needed a good win today to try and catch up again. We also knew that Cassington were a team we should beat, having won by 9 wickets earlier in the season, and with a squad of 17 to choose from we had an embarrassment of riches with our full squad. Colin was still struggling after…continue reading →