Bicester 190-7, 42 overs (rain) Sim Howarth 3-52
Cumnor 192-7, Paul Spokes 41, Clive Ricks 44, Jack Metcalfe 27
Cumnor 30 points Bicester 15
Scorecard
The parting words of captain Bowerman departing for holiday and leaving us with a much weakened squad, to stand-in skipper Simon Howarth were "I have written this game off so any points we get are a bonus.." Howarth duly had the unenviable task of standing down one of the original named 11 to make way for Clive Ricks, unceremoniously booted out of the 2nd XI squad due to Pete Burt's premonition that Ricks would bowl a pile of pooh on the day.
Sim lost the toss on a dry wicket but with clouds threatening - although I'm surprised the Bicester skipper could hear the call due to the incessant chattering of skylarks, cows lowing in the pasture and children merrily playing on the green, and church bells celebrating the latest wedding - although you couldn't hear any of that thanks to the unbearable roar of the M40 just beyond the boundary!!! How anyone could possibly want to go and play cricket at that god forsaken spot week in week out is beyond me (ed). My ears are still ringing now!.
Anyway, Howarth entrusted last weeks hero with the new ball with the words, "we need a good tight over before Gussy bowls at the other end" At the end of the over Bicester were 11-0, thanks to a wide and then 5-wides, another wide and a driven four. Worse still the by now infamous Lee back was telling it's owner that today was not a day to be bowling, so after 5 painful overs, and a lucky wicket thanks to a brilliant catch from Jack Metcalfe, Lee suggested to the skipper that it might be better if Ricksie was brought into the attack. Meanwhile Gus was bowling a good line and length from the top end, removing the unorthodox opener and also causing problems for the prolific Richard Coxhead in his last game for Bicester. Ricksie proceeded to bowl a series of pies, flans and quiches to Coxhead and the Bicester number four who unleashed a series of square cuts or pulls to midwicket depending on which line the aforementioned buffet was landing. Howarth eventually saw the error of his ways and withdrew the out of sorts Ricks, replacing him with himself and sending Ricks to deep mid-wicket to ponder how he could take 3-9 in Division 3 one week and nought for plenty in Division 7 the next week.
With Howarth picking up 3 wickets and the excellent Shrimpton tiring after his marathon spell, Ian West came into the attack against a lad a quarter of his age and despite bowling a few w..shhhh.. bowled the final couple of overs to keep the score below 200.
Cumnor's reply began steadily with Paul Spokes returning from International duty in the 2nd XI and the fine prospect Jack Metcalfe putting on 70 for the first wicket, when Spokes hit the ball to short midwicket and went for a canter down the track - his mind clearly on the wedding reception he was due to attend at 7:00 p.m. This brought Ricksie to the wicket to join Metcalfe and with his first scoring shot a delightful 9 iron to the centre of the green (clearing the long-off boundary by some distance) his troubles earlier in the day were soon forgotten. Metcalfe went on 27 falling just short of a deserved mention in the press and he was replaced by Westie, bristling with intent. Ricks was finally caught for an excellent 41 after choosing the wrong club and falling short of the green but the score was well up with the required rate, However, Howarth and Lee decided to send in the big gun, Mick Shepheard as rain clouds were threatening darkly. The plan failed after Shepheard clubbed a four and a six, when the canny Bicester bowler bowled him a yorker on middle and leg. Lee nursing his sore back and West added 40 in quick time, the pair running a 3 for the second week running before Lee limply turned a leg side long hop down fine legs throat for 17. Mick Phillips, in the side for the first time this season scampered a few with West before, with just 10 needed, going for a glory shot was out for 12. West followed in similar fashion for 29, stumped, again looking to win the match in a blaze of glory with just 4 needed for victory. With 2 new batsmen at the crease - Shrimpton and a nervous looking Ant Shorter, Bicester brought back their opening bowler - but with the scores level, the look of determination on Shorter's face got to the bowler and he sent down a wide.
A good win in a game we were never in danger of losing lifting us to 4th in the table.
