SOA v Bledlow Village 15 August 2012

Post date: 16-Aug-2012 21:26:55

Bledlow 208-5 dec (26 ovs, Adam Mould 101 (71 balls), O Woodward 57, A Rose 3-31), SOA 204-9 (41 ovs, Henry Swayne 53, Chris Hutton 33, APW 28). Match drawn.

After waiting for the SOA wicket-keeper to take the field, we made the mistake of taking an early wicket, which brought in Bledlow captain Adam Mould, who smashed some quite respectable bowling to all parts. They reached 96-1 off 11.2 overs before play was halted by two heavy storms.

The ground dried amazingly, and only 80 minutes of playing time was lost, tea having been taken. On resumption, and this time having to wait for the SOA bowler to come on the field to complete his over, the bowling continued to take punishment, Mould reaching his century off 70 balls.

The father and son spin combination of Adrian and Brad Rose did their best to stem the tide, but Bledlow declared fairly at 208-5 after 26 overs.

Both SOA openers - with more than 50 years between their ages - went cheaply, the younger one to a 13-year-old girl who bowled a tidy spell. But a stand of 91 between SOA newcomer Henry Swayne and 'oldcomer' Chris Hutton made us favourites for victory.

After the fall of three quick wickets, APW and skipper Phil Manger got things back on track. But Bledlow, who fielded eight men and a girl for the last 90 minutes, kept us in check and our last pair with more than 50 years between their ages failed to score six off the last ball and the match finished as an excitng draw in warm sunshine.