Bledlow Village 6 August 2025

Manager Adrian Manger

Won by 108 Runs

SOA 234 for 5 (Ryan Hicks 70*, Dan Todd 42*, Brad Rose 44, Archie Lewins 29)

Bledlow 126 all out (Robin Pykett 5 for 12)

The annual trip to Bledlow Village CC nestling beneath the Chilterns never disappoints and this year their immaculately manicured ground looked better than ever bathed in warm early August sunshine. 

There was the now customary explanation to our young opposing skipper of the concept, along with insistence on playing, a time-game which to help him this year had to be augmented with a necessary definition of the term ‘twenty overs in the last hour’. Must be a sign-of the times!

The home team included some late guest additions and SOA batting first upon winning the toss encountered a surprisingly testing opening attack. This occupied well the skills of Nick Moorman (until he ran himself out) Archie Lewins, Dave Ferris and Phil Brooks before Brad Rose, proving he’s not the No.11 Tiddington seem to think he is, with 44 well made runs got the innings moving. As Bledlow expanded their attack Ryan Hicks 70 n.o. and Dan Todd 42 n.o. put together a quick-fire 102 run partnership to hasten the declaration in the 41st over.

Long Marston overseas opener Maali Sahill with 37 got Bledlow away to a good start and at 75 for 4 prospects for the home team of taking the chase deep looked encouraging. Unfortunately, the fall of further wickets exposed an very inexperienced home batting order which at the other end of the cricketing spectrum the guile of Robin Pykett’s left arm slow bowling proved too much for. He quickly pocketed a ‘five-for’ conceding just 12 runs as Bledlow’s reply fell dramatically away 

The early finish did at least allow more quality time for the SOA team and officials to enjoy the sun on the pavilion veranda over a few after match beers. Our hosts looked after us so well as usual. Finally many thanks to our umpires Mike Knox and Bob Belcher and scorers Simon Goves and Peter Andrews, yes SOA provided the full-set.