Old Bloxhamists 8 July 2022

Manager Dave Eaton

Won by 21 runs

SOA 221 for 6 dec (Kieran Coyne 63, Ali Short 53, Ed Phillips 36)

Old Bloxhamists 200 all out (Richard Simpson 4/41, Chris Phillips 2/44, George Tait 2/10)

Having won the toss and elected to bat due to waiting for an 11th player to arrive (Hutts conducting the opera and some miscommunication). Thankfully Jolyon Griffiths stepped up to the plate with broken digits. Blocker Edwards and young Ali Short strode out to the crease with the clear instructions of "we want around 250 in roughly 45 overs". The balance of the opening duo was perfect. Short striking an excellent 50 in just over a run a ball whilst Blocker the other end blistering along at 22.58 (14 from 62 inc 3 4's). Worryingly, the fall of Short bought the KIng of Deflection to the crease. The score wasn't affected too heavily as a few wickets took us from 87-0 to 107-3. Overseas Coyne added some impetus with a quick fire 63 before the skipper got in his head and he hit out down the fielders throat. A few more to the tally and SOA declared on 221-6.

Pres elect and the skipper opened the bowling. An attack most opening batsmen around the world would worry about. An early knick to slip proved enough for me as I dragged myself from my long run to get some oxygen back in the lungs. Tight overs from Chris "Cakes" Phillips and Pres Elect kept the scoring down. Some questionable "off spin" from Coyne, away swing from Simpson and Berty Bassett Allsorts from Tait & Edwards allowed OB's to get within 30 of the target.

All in all another fantastic day out at Bloxham School. Lovely lunch & teas as always and a few sherbets in The Elephant & Castle post match.

Many thanks as always to everyone agreeing to play, score (Ricky Grover) & umpire (Steve Hyatt).