Match report by Neil Megson
What an absolutely excellent performance our firsts put in against Datchet in the Royal London Cup yesterday.. Having comfortably beaten them in the league on Saturday our side yesterday contained only 3 of that side, guys from all our 4 Saturday teams represented.. Obviously we would be up against it,we batted first,Rich Simpson with a typically hard hit 22 got us off to a good start,Simmo out for 22,Lloyd Sabin is joined by Ali Short and they put on 90 in even time Ali out for an excellent 57,Lloyd anchored the innings with a fine 57,after he was out we lost 3 quick wickets and at 160-7 were struggling a bit,but Mikey Brown and Will Marland as they did for the 3rds on Saturday put on 40 for the 8th wicket,Marland out for 17,Brown for 22, both batted superbly…Jimmy (Bing) Crosby 1no from 1… We finished on a very credible 222 in our 40 overs..
With 16 and 17 year olds opening the bowling it was going to be a challenge but Charlie Hazelgroves opening spell in the power play of 5 overs 1 maiden 1-16 right out of the very drop draw.. Datchets a small fast scoring ground, but our youngsters fielded like demons, a truly magnificent catch in the deep by Ben Cross the highlight,but it wasn’t to be as Datchet got home to win by 6 wickets.. An excellent spell from Will Marland and a wicket for Sabin and two for Rich Simpson… With Tom Bartlet our oldest player at 29 this has to be the youngest side we have ever fielded in a competitive match.
The team were a credit to the club .. Also wonderful support for the boys, loads of Banbury folk there cheering the side on,sadly its was an opportunity missed by us as it so often has been over the years in the countries premier club completion, yet in defeat our young players have gained some invaluable experience and didn’t look remotely out of place …
My first visit to Datchet, nice little ground, lovely people too, help youself to the bbq we were told after the game, lovely touch that … their biggest crowd in years their treasurer told me…
Only slight downer the M4 on one side of the ground and what appeared to be the Heathrow terminal 5 flight path directly above…
Oh a final bonus San Migel at £3.50 a pint.. and get this Oliver Murrey £2.97 a pop if you swipe your Datchet membership card for the same above mentioned refreshment… First class that….Great to see all our side staying and having a drink well after the game was done(those that were old enough of course)
Once again hats off to our young side, we couldn’t have asked for any more from you..