Bledlow Village 7 August 2024

Manager Adrian Manger

Match Drawn

Bledlow 223 for 8 (Adrian Manger 2 for 40, Gregor Smith 2 for 71)

SOA 226 for 9 (Brad Rose 60*, George Crawford 30,  Ajit Shah 30,  Archie Lewins 27,  Dan Todd 27)

Another year, another fine game and close finish at the picturesque Bledlow Village ground

With successful debuts for 15 year old SOA newcomers Archie Lewins and Gregor Smith SOA overcame a mid innings falter thanks to Tiddington's Brad Rose 60 not out and Horspath's George Crawford 30 and with the last pair at the wicket fell a tantalising 7 runs adrift of victory.

Breaking with tradition the hosts batted first and Dan Walker set them on their way with a quick-fire 52 before skipper Harry Bond with 50 and Vineeth Purusothaman 45 enabled them to set a testing 233 for 8 in 45 overs.

Left 40 overs to bat, Dan Todd's equally quickfire 27 in 14 balls opened SOAs account before Ajit Shah and youngster Archie Lewins put together a more circumspect 62 runs prior to a mid-innings slump to 118 for 6. Rose and Crawford had other ideas than a quietly played-out draw and their counter-attack, parted at 192 for 7, set up a tense last three overs.

Bledlow as commendable hosts took full part in making it a memorable game which was expertly umpired from both ends by Michael Knox with Simon Groves maintaining the SOA's play-cricket scoring site. 

Thanks to all for a fine match and see you again next year.   

Adrian.