Match Report
Cumnor 3 v Tiddington 2
Lost by 106 runs.  Tiddington 257-4 (A Albasri 3-86), Cumnor 151 all out (T Munsey 34, P Spokes 21, J Bowerman 17*, G Glew 17).

Well, I got my serious mistakes out of the way early this week.  These included (a) remembering too late that I had promised to bring Pollock’s kit from Cumnor, (b) timing the dash back to the club so that we got caught in traffic following an accident (c) keeping the directions which I had carefully printed off the League website in my bag, which was buried underneath Pollock’s and Ali’s on the back seat. 

Mr Bowerman had stepped up to make the correct call at the toss and inserted the opposition, and a good effort during the first 4 overs meant that Tiddington did not get off to a flyer with us short of fielders.  However, the Tiddington batsmen were taking ominous advantage of an excellent pitch and fast outfield. 

George Glew held a good catch at mid off to remove one of the openers but it was hard going and the decision was soon taken to introduce spin at both ends.  Howarth temporarily put the brakes on the scoring at one end, and Ali Albasri, making his debut for the season, bowled excellently at the other.  Ali fully deserved his three wickets, bowling with impressive maturity and control against good batsmen determined to attack.  His three wicket haul included 2 stumpings for Dave Mitty, who impressed with the gloves once more.

The wheels never quite came off, but Cumnor suffered from missing a series of chances of varying degrees of difficulty, and Tiddington paced their innings well to close on a challenging 257-4.  The excellent fielding of Paul Spokes, Adam Jones and Tony Munsey helped to keep the total down a little; we all need to achieve the same standard.

It was pleasing that the whole side was positive at tea time and there was never any issue about whether going for the runs.  As Shep said, “we don’t do draws in this team”.

The openers were quicker than most we have seen to date, and George retired hurt after taking a lifting ball in the ribs in the first over. Tony Munsey made a superb 34 including 8 boundaries before being dismissed by a catch which was either astounding or accidental (or maybe both), and this was a turning point.

Spokesy grafted hard for 21 whilst Dave Mitty, Pollock and Shep made some clean hits but
perished trying to keep the board moving.  Tom Whitehead made a good start to his season before being caught on the pull (!) to a ball that was not quite there for the stroke.  George Glew bravely resumed his innings and took 17 off one over before being bowled, and the tail was unequal to the task of supporting Bobby, whose 17* contained some fine shots.

All in all we were well beaten by the side who played the better cricket on the day, and on this evidence fully deserve to be leading the division.  The game was well played in the proper spirit and thanks to Alan Maule and his Tiddington side for their appreciation of our approach with the bat.

It will all be different next week: after all, the game is at Wootton, and I know where that is…

Cumnor Man of the Match: Ali Albasri