Oxford Downs 25 July 2025

Manager Paddy Daniel

Captain Ed Phillips

Won by 7 Wickets

Oxford Downs 255 for 8 dec (Alex Ross 2-29, Leigh Tomlinson 2-19, Colin Allen 2-49)

SOA 256 for 3 (Rob Dow 74, Ayyaz Mallick 50, Ed Phillips 84*, Leigh Tomlinson 27*)

Well three weeks before the Paul Collins memorial game the captain had eleven with an umpire & scorers sorted what could go wrong. Twenty four hours later disaster struck. Captain out with a broken leg. Over the next few days replacement player found & new skipper entrusted. Many thanks Ed for doing the skipper honours. Game day and we were blessed with a lovely cricketing weather day. Oxford Downs won the toss electing to bat. Their innings ebbed and flowed racing to 46 before the SOA bowlers got involved becoming 61 for 4. Enter our nemesis from last year Freddie Smith who this time scored a well constructed 91 with Alex Wildman 41no and contributions from Shalto Hunt 31, Charlie Sutton 33 and Norwyn Kumar 29 allowing Downs to declare on 255 for 8. Wickets were shared around the SOA bowlers; two a piece for Alex Ross, Leigh Tomlinson and president Allen. Following a wonderful tea, the SOA set about chasing down the total to see if they could grasp the cup back not having held it since 2020. Rob Dow 74 playing his first SOA game for a number of years and Ayyaz Mallick 50 set a great platform putting on 106. Skipper Ed Phillips 84no and  Leigh Tominson 27no carried on the good work. Despite needing 150 off the last 20 overs, they timed the run chase perfectly winning with one over left. Many thanks to Bob for umpiring and Sue and Russell sharing the scoring. It was lovely to see many past & present SOA players wandering around the boundary during the afternoon. Finally thanks to the Oxford Downs for their superb hospitality on the final afternoon of their cricket week.