Cumnor v Banbury II
Banbury II 243-6 (A Morteza 4-54) Cumnor 245-3 (A Robertson 130no A Morteza 72no)
Cumnor took the field against what appeared to be a slightly changed Banbury side from previous years but still with many of the old heads around. Cumnor knew that a couple of early wickets would be crucial to the days success.
What followed could only be described as one of the worst fielding performances to be seen. In total 8 catches went down, not one difficult and more importantly all at crucial stages ! Chris Board who in the end hit 91 will never have another day like it. Dropped on 0 (first ball), 10 and again towards the end of his innings he certainly made the most of his lives. Ayaz will wonder what he has to do to take a league wicket having both openers dropped to simple chances within the first five overs behind the sticks. Our opening pair bowled well without luck and far too often saw the pressure released by the field. It wasn't until the introduction of Ali Morteza that things happened. His first spell yielding three wickets in 3 overs all clean bowled. The only way wickets were going to go down. Going in at the halfway point it was hard not to feel dejected and that it was probably just one of those days.
In reply, probably not in the best frame of mind Dan Gaunt fell cheaply pushing one that stopped just a little straight to mid off and Scotty followed one from the young left armer for just 8. That brought Robbo, searching for a big score and Jamie D , Cumnors most consistent batter this year, to the crease. Robbo dominated a third wicket stand with Jamie contributing just 13. Unfortunately neither Gaunt or Scott saw any of the innings whilst they preferred to remain in the bar watching Yorkshire get a good hiding. It may prove to be something they do week in week out as when they appeared Robbo was on 98 and the score 180-3 with 35 overs gone. Robbo we are advised had already hit one six, his first for the club, and brought up his 100 with a pull through midwicket for four. Robbo (2) and Ali (5) then rushed Cumnor to victory with a series of sixes such that victory was achieved in side 43 overs. Robbo finished with his best score for the club on 130no and Ali a rapid 72no.
Certainly a game of two halves both memorable but for very different reasons.
The win sees Cumnor move up to 2nd in the table at halfway and if we play 2 halves of good cricket in a game could see ourselves at least safe from any threat of relegation in the next couple of weeks. With the tightness of the league it's amazing what a couple of losses could do.
