President's XI v AJ Smith's XI - 4 June 2021

Manager Frankie Crouch

Lost by 5 Wickets

President's XI 231 for 6 dec

AJ Smith's XI 234 for 5

With awful weather during the weeks leading up to the game, we were greeted with glorious sunshine. The bar was open before the game allowing players and members to meet for a drink prior to the encounter between 2 evenly matched sides. Pres winning the toss decided to bat first on a pitch that looked flat and dry. With List and Evans departing early, Warner and Hook steadied the ship taking the Pres XI to 60-2. Warner falling for a well made and run-a-ball 39 brought Mallick into bat. A 40 odd partnership took the score to 100. Both falling, Hook (24) and Mallick (13) brought Davie and Smith to the crease in need of some runs to set a total. They put on 130 in very quick time to set 231 off 45. Smith caught on the boundary for 94 and Davie not out 44. Fisher and Bishop bowling economically for the AJ XI.

Downs 1st XI bowlers, Rivett and Chahal, opened the attack. Up stepped Beckett, who took the game away from the Pres XI. Hitting 16 fours in a classy knock of 82 off 63 balls. Only dismissed by an outstanding catch from Chahal. Good contributions from Moorman (50), Green (39) and Fisher (22) took the AJ XI to the win with Ling and Phillips taking them over the line. Good spells from Davie and Allen not enough to stem the runs. AJ XI winning by 5 wickets with 1 over left.

A great day with lots of members, playing and non-playing, in attendance. Delicious pizzas after game were enjoyed. Thanks to Mike Knox and Andrew Moss for umpiring and Richard Grover for scoring. Many thanks to Oxford Downs for hosting the game.