Friday 5th September
It had a been a mercifully quiet week. Only modest pressure had been applied to get 11 players confirmed for Saturday and Sunday and astonishingly 13 for the Friday evening's T20, including a welcome first appearance by Oxfordian, Josh. The weather forecast had steadily improved and only Prof Heather's refusal to use WhatsApp and Matt's changing travel plans were causes for concern.
Of one thing you can be sure, the T20 against FFTMCC would be a last over finish in the near dark. And so history duly repeated itself. Batting first, our 118 felt 10-15 short. We started too slowly and only Graeme, retired for an excellent 30+, really got going. Out bowling attack expertly marshalled by first time Captain Jules, kept us in it. Andy was sharp and Dan economical. But it always felt FFTMCC were the favourites. With 5 required of the last over, Jules' "gut told him" to throw the ball to Graeme. Sometimes guts are not to be trusted and a no-ball beamer headed to the boundary to ensure a FFTMCC victory. A beer or two with the most convivial of oppositions and an excellent Thai meal at the local pub mostly made up for the (modest) disappointment of defeat.
Saturday 6th September
A beautiful day at Warborough to renew rivalry with the Erratics. Despite being appointed Captain, Jonathan was, as so often, lost somewhere on the M25. Graeme won the toss and decided to field. A time game as usual. The Erratics, who had partially reversed their batting order, were soon 42-6 with Kish, Martin and Rob all bowling well and Jonathan taking two stunning slip catches once he had eventually arrived. But this served only to expose the Erratic top order who got them to a competitive 142 on a slow and low pitch with the legendary Chris Cook inevitably starring.
The impressive Erratic bowling attack steadily chipped away at our batting. 20 from Kish and an excellent 50 from a limping Paul kept us in the game. With 2 overs to go the last pair of Martin and Duncan needed 15 to win. Unfortunately, Martin's strategy of farming the strike to protect Duncan didn't work out and he was done for by what he reported was un "unplayable" delivery from Fraser (well unplayable by Martin) in the last over of the 20. Beer and pub food in the Six Bells capped off an excellent day.
Sunday 7th September
I woke up in the luxury of the Dicot Premier Inn. The sun was out and we had the final leg at Harwell to look forward to. Everything had gone smoothly. Too smoothly. Checking the Met Office, a severe thunderstorm warning had just been issued for Oxfordshire (happily it mostly missed us). Message from Matt to say he was marooned somewhere in Surrey waiting for a non-existent rail replacement bus. In these circumstances there is only one thing to do: call for Bob. Yes, he is not the youngest of mandarins and he had already played and kept (exceptionally well) for two games, but his stamina puts the rest of us to shame.
We won the toss and I elected to bowl. Harwell had stacked their top order with members of their first league team, but we just about kept them in check. Catches went down (of course) and Rob did what Rob does - 5 economical overs and a key wicket despite being hampered by a dodgy hamstring. Until Rob did what Rob never does: high no-ball for 4, wide, dot, wide, double bounce no-ball, 4, high no-ball four, 4, dot, wide, four..... (or something like this). A mere 27 off his sixth over. Happily, Adam stepped in to show his father how to do it and Josh in his second game took 3 wickets for the first time in his life. JP bowled an excellent 6 overs taking 1 for 16. 162 of 35 overs felt it should be gettable on a decent if slow pitch.
After Nikhil went early when looking good, Jonathan and Chris M put on an excellent century stand, Chris passing 1000 Mandarin runs in the process of scoring a career high 38 and Jonathan hitting his first 50 of the year. But once Jonathan had retired and Chris was caught by a blinder, we never got ahead of the rate despite having wickets in hand. 22 required of the last 5 overs, 6 of the last over, 2 off the last ball, but the closing Harwell bowling attack of two Oxfordshire Under-13 lady players proved too much. Defeat by 1 run. In the post match festivities Andy was named D*** of the day for a second time for squatting in the tea lady's special chair, something the rest of us had been very careful not to do.
A great tour as it so often is. But after three last overs defeats, I felt it was time to resign before I was pushed. Thanks to everyone who has turned out over the last 5 years, especially those who don't need continually reminding of start times, those who have played when injured, those that read what's on the WhatsApp group and especially those who have stepped in at the last minute when another player has dropped out (ie usually Bob!)
John Hawkins
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