President's XI v AJ Smith's XI - 26 May 2022

Manager Alex Wildman

Won by 8 Wickets

AJ Smith's XI 213 for 4 dec (De Bahl 75*, Eaton 67*)

President's XI 219 for 2 (Daniel 104*, Thomas 82*)

The President was fortunate to be able to field two recent past-presidents and the honourable treasurer, in his 11 against the side of cricketing legends that had been diligently curated by past-president AJ Smith. Oxford Downs was kind enough to host the fixture and the teams were graced with Michael Knox and Bob Belcher umpiring and with Mick Warren recording proceedings.

AJXI Captain Robey won the toss and elected to bat. The president's "Dutch overseas pro" Ben Jefferis opened with Zac Wilton; a combination of Zac's youthful pace, and not. Both bowled excellent spells, Ben's going for less than 2.5 runs an over to the celebrated batting line up, and he claimed the prize wicket of Swapnil Kulkarni, bowled for 8. John de Bahl, the other AJXI opener scored an excellent 75 not in two free-scoring partnerships. Firstly with Ed Philips, who's run out had been looming for a few overs, which brought the end to their 60 run partnership. Mark Robey was then stumped off the bowling of Sam Herbert, bringing Dave Eaton to the crease. Dave finished on 67 not out in a 100 run partnership with John which gave Captain Robey the luxury of a declaration in the 39th over at 213 for four. The other wicket to fall being that of JJ Smith, bowled by Zac. This looked like a highly competitive total when the teams retired to an excellent tea.

When opening ex-president Scrase fell with the score on 11 for one, followed soon after by Ayyaz at 32 for two, there was no indication of what was to come. SOA debutant Andrew Thomas then joined ex-president Paddy Daniel at the wicket and neither returned until a further 187 runs had been scored and the game won. Andrew finished on 82 not out with Paddy creaming 104 runs from a celebrity line up of league bowling, a superb performance. His century coming from a 6 hit with scores level when he was on 98. Swapnil was the pick of the AJXI bowling, claiming both wickets taken.

After the game, the bar was well supported and when the lights were eventually turned off in the Downs pavilion, a very grateful president was still smiling after a wonderful day's cricket played with, in front of, and adjudicated by, great SOA friends.