Radley College 13 May 2022

Manager Mike Dove

Won by 112 runs

SOA 200 for 4 dec (Olly Burney 73*, JJ Smith 39*)

Radley College 84 all out (Pat Knightley 2-1, Zac Wilton 2-16, Ethan Davie 2-5, Dave Eaton 2-14)

It was great to finally be back playing the annual fixture at the stunning Radley College after a Covid enforced break of two years.

SOA won the toss and elected to bat on a somewhat blustery yet sunny afternoon. Olly Burney and James Lee opened the batting and got off to a steady start against the Radley opening bowlers who at times got the ball through at a decent lick. Jimmy was looking like he was in for the long haul as he got off to a quick start, until he hit a full toss down mid ons throat.

Olly was then joined by Dave Eaton who went on the attack from ball one, seemingly to let off some steam once he’d found out that the game was not being played on the main pitch. He was looking imperious and smashed the ball to all parts of the ground before he got a big leading edge and departed for 25. Calmness personified, Mr Matt Warner carried on in the same vein to keep the run rate ticking over nicely until he missed a straight one, also for 25. Ethan Davie came and went after playing round one and got hit on the toe, plumb in front!

Olly Burney was carrying on in his merry way and reached a very fine 50. JJ Smith joined him at the crease and kept the run rate at the required level. This was mostly due to his lighting quick running between the wickets and marvellous ramp shots that he put away with unerring accuracy.

With tea being moved back by 15 minutes, due to the students rather slow over rate, the SOA reached 200 for 4 declared from 34 overs. Olly finished not out on 73 and JJ made an unbeaten 39.

AJ who joined us for the afternoon with his mother, was looking resplendent as ever in his SOA blazer and a beanie cap seemed very happy with the state of play at tea and was hopeful of our victory chances. He then chewed the fat over Saturdays match between Banbury and Rowant with Dave Eaton.

The Radley lads seemed very confident as they started their reply, however they hadn’t banked on Pat ‘The Hammer’ Knightley and Zac Wilton who tore through the Radley top order. Zac also did his best to kill Dave Eaton at slip with some rather sharp away swinging beamers that Dave was less than impressed with!

Following this onslaught from the opening bowlers that reduced Radley to 5 for 4, we quickly turned to spin to address the carnage. When he wasn’t chasing his wide brim hat around the ground, Ethan bowled rather well in tandem with JJ to reduce Radley to 48 for 8. JJ then took a blow and is now travelling to Dubai to having his action reviewed by the ICC after being reported by Peter Fenn.

Wiley campaigners Dave Eaton and Ayyaz Mallick then finished the job to secure a rather comprehensive victory. Oh Jimmy Lee bowled two overs as well.

A huge thanks to all the Radley lads who never gave up and also to Simon, Iain and team for putting on a wonderful day and some superb food.