Bledlow Village 5 August 2026

Manager Adrian Manger

Match Drawn

SOA 236 for 7 Dec (Robbie Eason 66 ,Junaid Aziz 64, Ben Wise 38, Archie Lewens 30)

Bledlow 224 for 9 (Anwar Parvaiz 4 for 56, Robin Pykett 3 for 23)

There were two notable omissions for our Bledlow trip this year. First, due to unavailability, Brad Rose previously an ever-present in my 13 year involvement with this fixture, Look forward to seeing you back in 2027 Brad. 

Second, a more welcome omission in that our hosts ‘elders’ pre-empted the need for my annual explanation to my opposing Captain of what a time game involves. This reached new levels in 2025 having to answer their young skipper asking what 20 overs in the last hour meant!!

So, to another sunny afternoon of the best kind i.e. not too hot, at one of our loveliest local grounds and a cracking game with all involved in an even contest ending with Bledlow holding out for the last two overs, nine down and just 12 short .

Electing to bat first SOA’s teenage Horspath pair of Ben Wise (38)  and Archie Lewens(30) held off Bledlow’s penetrative opening attack of skipper John Dumbarton and James Hawkins to put on 76 for the first wicket. Experienced Robbie Eason returning to this match after a couple of years break then made 66 and with Junaid Aziz 64 accelerated SOA to a creditable 47 over score of 236 for 7. All rounder Harry Bartlett was the pick of home bowlers with 2 for 19 from his 7 overs 

With another teenage opener, Oliver Bowler anchoring the home innings unbeaten on 68 and playing out a tense last few overs, the home team looked to be making a mess of my declaration at 207 for 6 in the 36th over with a minimum of 5 left. This was down to aggressive early batting from Harry Bartlett (41) and James Basu (36) before John Dumbarton at No7 not only kept up the tempo but eclipsed them both smashing  a quickfire 44 including 6 sixes!

Thankfully the return of opening bowler Anwar Parvaiz proved crucial, clean bowling Dumbarton with his first ball back as he ended with 4 for 56. Robin Pykett had earlier picked up 3 for 23  and with Tom Scrase picking up 2 for 33 atoning for Dumbarton’s early assault on him by tying up the last 5 overs along with Parvaiz SOA kept the hosts down and so nearly manufactured the win.

Finally, a vote of thanks to all four SOA officials who ensured the game ran so smoothly, umpires Mike Knox and Bob Belcher and scribes Simon Goves and Peter Andrews. To our welcoming hosts Bledlow Village CC who provided such a fine tea. The post-match beers on their pavilion balcony after a good game of cricket and with the Chiltern woods resplendent in the evening sun remains one of the highlights of my season.