Buxton Strugglers 27 May 2026

Manager Ben Jefferis

Won by 29 Runs

SOA 242 for 4 (Frankie Crouch 70, Chris North 64*, Swapnil Kulkarni 44)

Buxton Strugglers 213 all out (Fred Witcher 3 for 51)

There was plenty of sunshine at Queen’s College for South Oxfordshire Amateurs’ game against Buxton, and by the time the match got properly going the pitch had begun to dry out in the warmth.

 SOA batted first and put together a competitive 242, with Crouch leading the way with an excellent 70 and Swapnil Kulkarni contributing a composed 44. Alex Ross, unfortunately, didn't get going and was back in the pavilion for a duck, but there was enough elsewhere in the innings to give SOA something to defend. Chris North alsk chipped in with a very helpful fifty. 

 The conditions would become increasingly important as the afternoon wore on.

 Buxton started their chase positively and, for much of the innings, looked capable of making a serious attempt at the target. From the captain's chair, the challenge was to keep the game moving while waiting for the pitch to offer a little more assistance.

 As the surface dried and began to turn, the decision was made to hold back our premium spinner and president Craig Foster and turn to Fred Witcher his more than capable junior. As the ball began to turn it was clear we needed both on in partnership. 

 It proved to be the right moment to bring them on.

 Foster finished with two wickets and Witcher four, and suddenly the chase began to change. The dry pitch was gripping the ball, the spinners were able to extract more turn and the pressure started to build on the Buxton batsmen.

 What had looked like a relatively comfortable chase became a proper finish.

 SOA kept their nerve through the final stages and eventually bowled Buxton out for 213, giving SOA a 29-run victory.

 It was a satisfying game,  a competitive total, a pitch that changed as the afternoon warmed up, and a bowling attack that managed to save its best cards until they mattered most. Excellent officiating from Mr. Knox and, as ever at Queen’s College, there was an excellent tea.

 A warm day, a close game and a nine-run win. Not a bad afternoon for SOA.