Match Report

Middleton Stoney fell to a last over defeat to Oxenford CC in a close finish on a beautiful sunny day at Middleton Park. Today’s match sponsors were Nolan Oils.

With regular captain Tim Riley away chasing glory (successfully) with Oxfordshire over-60’s, vice-captain Matt Carpenter stepped up, lost the toss and announced we would be fielding.

Oxenford’s openers played with remarkably contrasting styles. A left/right combination of steady accumulation married with all out assault. It was a good cop, bad cop approach as the ball was in turns coaxed gently into gaps and then bludgeoned with ferocious intent. Unfortunately for Olly Ross, in the unaccustomed role of opening bowler, the bludgeoner (Manzoor) didn’t face a ball from the other end until approximately the seventh over. Manzoor never quite timed his shots and looked better when he reined it in. Olly was biffed for two fours, but most shots resulted in 2’s that seemed to land uncannily just outside of catching range. Meanwhile accumulator Glover seemed intent on running himself out and must have survived four or five chances during his innings. Hamidullah bowled well to him, conceding only two boundaries in eight overs but could never quite find the ball to dismiss him.

It took a change of bowler to facilitate a breakthrough, Paul Wordsworth finding the perfect line and length and generating just enough seam movement to evade Manzoor’s flailing blade to bowl him.

Unfortunately for MSCC, this only brought Khattak to the crease. His timing was excellent and where Manzoor had scored two’s, he found the ropes – 15 times in total including two sixes. He reached his fifty quickly, while Glover retired on 32 after 90 minutes of solid nurdling. In fairness, he saw off Middleton’s openers, Paul and Anirudh and laid a solid foundation. Khattak continued to dominate, and it was a surprise when he fell for 78, caught in the deep by Olly off Paul W.

If the first hour and a half had belonged to Oxenford, the final hour saw MSCC wrestle back some initiative. Paul had been replaced by Shaan, but it was at the other end where the ever-efficient Seril Shah caused confusion taking 3 wickets in his 10 overs for 38 runs. Shaan nipped in with one wicket, accompanied by the best celebration of the day and Oxenford declared just short of tea at 176 for 8.

Matt gathered us round for a well-deserved collective pat on the back for staying in the contest. Fired up, the players headed in for a nice cup of tea (and Matt’s sandwiches and cake – very nice. Thank you, Matt). Tea slots are available in June for those players who have not yet signed up.

With the sun still shining, Jay and Matt began the reply. Hopes were high. While the ball had occasionally kept low for MSCC, there had been little swing or seam movement.

Matt hit a loosener for four, but was clean bowled by one that “moved a mile”, his frustration clear as he returned to the pavilion. Jay had started well and was joined by Anirudh, a fan of the bludgeoning approach. His first scoring shot went for four, followed by another boundary and a scattering of singles and twos before he was well caught in the deep for 12.

Mark then joined Jay. For neutralities sake it must be reported that the next ball was described by the umpire and several Oxenford players as “magical”, “a one-off delivery of genius”. Suffice it to say, Mark’s forward defence accounted for the in-swing but not the seam movement away from the bat, the ball kissing the top of off. A tough challenge first ball of the season.

In a bit of trouble now at 35 for 3, and needing a partnership, Olly made his way to the middle. A fine batsman, Olly demonstrated his class with a four followed shortly by a six. Sadly, there’s not much to be done with a ball that shoots through at ankle height, and he was bowled for 11. 53 for 4 and annoyance at the cricketing God’s.

Jay was accelerating, hitting two lovely drives for four, whilst new partner Ali Meier, making his seasons debut set about building the barricades. He fell for 9, caught in the gully after a 35 run partnership that saw Jay reach 50. A fine knock, hitting the bad balls to the boundary and rotating the strike well. Unfortunately, he couldn’t accumulate any more runs and fell mis-hitting one straight to a fielder. With less than 10 overs to go, Middleton’s bowlers would now have to save the day.

Middleton’s bowlers didn’t save the day. Mike Robinson looked in control, surviving two LBW appeals before a third was his downfall. He thought he’d got the tiniest bit of bat to the ball, umpire Mark didn’t. Shaan only plays one way. On another day he may well hit a six over square leg. Today he top-edged it: out caught. Hamid, resplendent in his camouflage hat also sticks to one plan: all-out attack. If he’d connected with the ball, he’d have got a second four. He didn’t.

Last man Paul Wordsworth got a beauty from batting star Khattak, the ball crashing into his pads. Umpire Matt C, paused for an age before slowly raising his finger, and the game was lost with four balls to spare.

Thank you to our opponents Oxenford, the deserved winners on the day and fine opponents. Also, to Andrew for manning the bar, Chris for scoring, Matt for a lovely tea and to Rona who once again did a sterling job on the bbq (the cheese slices are a great addition!).

Mark Ford-Langstaff