Banbury 31 July 2025

Manager Chris Phillips

Won by 17 Runs

SOA 239 for 6 dec (Aakif Imthiyaz 106)

Banbury 222 all out (Craig Foster 4 for 49, Colin Allen 3 for 62)

The first-time playing Banbury CC or the resurrection of an old fixture (dependant on which members of the SOA’s memory is more reliable) was against a particularly youthful Banbury side. Winning the toss and electing to bat the SOA started in unassuming fashion but Aakif “chief” Imthiyaz in at 3 batted fantastically for his maiden SOA hundred. The innings of 106 ended only by the introduction of BCC captain and SOA turncoat D. Eaton. Only contributions from Ayyaz Mallick (29) and Liam Evans (28) come close to a mention in an innings that saw the SOA reach 239 for 6 (dec) in 45 overs.

Banbury reply started with the tail of two contrasting opening bowlers. Andrew Capel bringing himself off after 3 very uncharacteristic overs “bowling”, while James Risbridger had it on a piece of string only to return little reward in his 9 overs (1-15). Drinks break saw “Chief” make an inspired costume change, putting on his day glow pink running spikes. Just the thing he needed to swoop on a push into the offside and remove Richard Simpson (39) with a direct hit run out just when his innings was looking comfortable. The introduction of President Colin Allen (3-62) and President elect Craig Foster (4-49) was the master stroke debut captain Chris Phillips needed (although due to his admin error their figures are the wrong way round on the scorecard, sorry!!! Ed: Scorecard below corrected). Banbury were well placed but when Dan Shevket (53) was removed by Fozzy, the SOA felt the game swing their way. Turncoat captain Dave Eaton (49) threatened to make the declaration look “too sporting” before Pres elect set a perfectly deployed trap to bowl Eaton around his legs! In a fitting finish the President finished Banbury off with his second wicket, 222 all out off 41.4 overs.