Cherwell League Div 1
Great & Little Tew (A)
Great & Little Tew 207 - 6 (A Morteza 3 - 46, D Gaunt 3 - 55) : Cumnor 211 - 4 (A Morteza 60, A Robertson 37, J Douglas 42, D Gaunt 34*)
The much anticipated start to the Cherwell League Season began on Saturday. The new look Cumnor side from pre-season showed only a couple of changes after promising although indifferent pre-season performances against Home Counties opposition.
Rob, Shabaz and Umar represented the new guard whilst Sam (due to broken toe) and Hassan were to make early contributions for the Second XI. We were also strengthened by Robbo behind the stumps.
Things probably started as they mean to go on with big fines for late arrivals from the outset for Ali, Ayaz and Shabaz. The new fines master is going to drive a hard bargain and back chat it appears will not be tolerated. There should be plenty in the kitty come the end of the year though. Positive news from a playing sense was the unfortunate omission of Tews 50 wicket strike bowler and overseas who had to drop out on the morning of the game.
Cumnor took to the field in glorious sunshine and baking heat for the second Saturday in May, strangely dry without a hint of rain. The vociferous cordon of Robertson, Gaunt and Milne kept things ticking over for the first ten over's whilst the other 8 players were, well I'm not sure where. The latter struggling to contain his need to get under the oppositions skin in such pleasant surroundings.
Ayaz bowled his usual tight lines but lacked his usual pace due to a niggling side injury whilst Thompson struggled with both line and length 2 of his 6 balls an over. The fact therefore that G & L Tew were only 30 - 0 after 10 over's appeared to be somewhat of a bonus. Two bowling changes in three over's saw Morteza replace Thompson and Khan replaced by Gaunt. Both paying immediate dividends. Morteza got one to nip back through the gate and clean bowl the Tew opener whilst Gaunt rapped the No. 3 on the pads who duly walked rather than waiting for the umpire.
The two steadily chipped away without conceding whilst Tews remaining opener struggled his way through the innings. The fact that more wickets didn't go down was only a surprise in the fact that there opener had more lives than a cat, there were some obvious sight problems and we managed to put down another three catches.
Ultimately however 207 - 6 appeared gettable depending on how we started and if Tew could make the same use of the pitch Gaunt and Morteza had who finished with 3 wickets apiece.
There were no such problems. Milne and Morteza started solidly with the latter showing more controlled aggression at the top of the order. Milne was the first wicket to fall giving the wicket keeper catching practice for a neat 25, proving strong off his hips but tiring in the heat. Morteza continued his pre-season form however and with Robertson continued pushing Cumnor towards victory. A couple more wickets fell with Morteza chancing his arm once to often for a well crafted 60 and Robertson to a rather dubious LBW decision. At 150 - 3 things could have gone in favour of Tew, however Douglas, continuing his great pre-season form timed the ball beautifully for a neat 42 whilst Gaunt just hit the ball straight back down the ground. Douglas' did have some look when he was run out by a yard only for the umpire to advise the opposition that whilst his bat wasn't in his feet were???
Douglas perished at deep square leg soon after but the damage was now done and Gaunt and Alam saw Cumnor home with 34 and 0 N.o. respectively and 4 over's of the 48 to spare.
A genuinely solid performance but still much more to improve on.
A little bit of clarity is still required on chasing scores, particularly as it appears Banbury II's batted 51 over's on Saturday despite the opposition batting 52 in the first innings to gain a win.
Next Game - Shipton U Wychwood (H) Sat 17 May, Kidmore End (A) Sun 18 May NVKC
