Banbury travelled to Long Crendon to take on Dinton 3rd’s, knowing that 13 points from the game would secure them the Division 8 title.
With early rumours of Dinton fielding a very under strength team, combined with a motley looking pitch, Banbury won the toss and had no hesitation in asking Dinton to bat. This proved the right decision as Iain Woodworth struck with his 3rd ball of match, clean bowling one of the opening batsmen. Woody would have had another wicket in his next over, had he not bowled a no ball. Mark Pallett then struck in his second over, having the other opening batsmen caught behind by Kieran Scott – although the umpire didn’t give the batsmen out, in a good sporting gesture, the batsmen walked.
Despite Dinton throwing caution to the wind and going for some big shots, the wickets tumbled regularly for Dinton as they struggled to cope with Woody’s pace and accuracy and with Mark Pallett’s swing. Mark Pallet finally brought the innings to an end (in his 6th over) with another wicket caught behind by Kieran Scott and Dinton were bowled out for 47 in the 12th over. Woody finished with 4-27 off 6 overs and Mark Pallett with 5-15 off 5.4 over’s, which was his 3rd 5-for of the season.
With Banbury’s turn to bat, Jamie Mitchelmore and Kieran Scott started cautiously, before Kieran took a liking to some of Dinton’s more part-time bowlers with several boundaries. In the end, Banbury raced to the winning target in the 12th over without loosing a wicket as Mitch and Kieran both finished 20 not out. Kieran’s final onslaught left Mitch slightly short of his 500 run target for the season, but nonetheless he was still a happy man.
The victory was Banbury’s 11th win of the season and ensured they finished top of the Division 8 table and the overall Division 8 title. It has been a great season for the 4th’s and a great way to finish. There have been many wonderful contributions from a number of players during the year, which will all be elaborated on at the end of season dinner, but the final position couldn’t have been achieved without the contribution of all 32 players used during the year. Well done everyone!
Many thanks also to Richard Lambden and Mitch for their invaluable advice throughout the year, and to Pete Scott for keeping our scorebook so immaculate and up to date.