Pangbourne College 3 July 2024

Manager Tom Scrase

Lost by 1 Wicket

SOA 185 for 6 (Alex Ross 69*, Shiraz Husain 28 and Manzoor 28)

Pangbourne College 188 for 9 (Craig Foster 4 for 40)

The SOA enjoyed a closely fought match v Pangbourne College eventually losing in dramatic style by one wicket off the last ball of the match with an absolutely chuffed sixth former hitting a six- seemingly his last act before leaving the school!

Earlier, SOA had won the toss and elected to bat with Shiraz Hussain and Dan Edwards opening the batting. The innings started watchfully but both batters played some attractive front and back foot drives until Dan was dismissed in the 15 over with the score on 46 and Junaid joined Shiraz at the crease. With score on 64 both fell in quick succession , Shiraz trapped lbw and Junaid bowled trying to uo the tempo of the innings.

Alex Ross and Freddy Selby-Lowndes then set about rebuilding the innings in and exciting, counter attack adding 51 in 7 overs. But Freddy was well stumped and debutant Ahmad Afghan holed out looking to drive down the ground. Manzoor then joined Alex at the crease and the pair romped along at 10 an over for six overs before Manzoor was bowled after the skipper had signalled that it would be the last over before the declaration . Rossy had batted beautifully hitting 9  fours and a six in his undefeated 69*.

Hamidullah Afghan opened the bowling with Richard Pye. Despite losing their first wicket on 23 when Hamidullah bowled the number 2 batter, Pangbourne raced along at nearly 6 over before Craig Foster took the second wicket in the 15th over having the Pangbourne opener well caught Freddy with the score on 88. The pace of the run chase slowed a little as Pangbourne added a further 44 for the third wicket before the number 4 batsman was bowled, undone by Craig flight and guile. There followed a flurry of dismissals, courtesy of excellent bowling from Craig, debutant Ahmad Afghan( who bowled with great economy) and Rossy. The SOA cause was greatly helped when the Pangbourne skipper was run out by his partner for a well compiled 71. Panic in the Pangbourne ranks had definitely set in when the last pair came together. Needing 21 off the last two overs and 12 off the last over, Teague launched a blistering counter attack especially against the leg spin of yours truly culminating in a match winning strike for 6 off the penultimate ball. Well, it made his day, it being his last act at Pangbourne College before leaving school. Craig Foster   finished with 4 for 40 off 11 overs and once again the skipper was left to rue the decision to bowl himself ahead of his premier wicket taker. 

Pangbourne were as ever, superb hosts providing an excellent tea and the SOA were very grateful to Bob Belcher for umpiring and Andrew Moss for scoring superbly.