First Team Hold On

This week “Baloo the Jugster” returned home to host Horspath. Having won the toss, Horspath decided to take first use of the wicket on a hot sunny day. Our visitors got off to a decent start scoring freely, but captain Shelvin Gumbs persisted with the opening pair of Simon Stanway and David Brent and the breakthrough came getting through the defences of Dominic O'Connor.

Stanway picked up a second wicket and Brent also took two as Horspath were reduced to 66-4. A rebuilding was required and Horspath found with a 138 partnership from Daryll Brown (96) and Stephen Green (39). The last five wickets fell to spinners Michael Payne (3) and captain Shelvin Gumbs (2) added 36 before Horspath was bowled out for 240.

In reply, the early wickets of Liam Gough, Andy Dixon and AJ Woodland setback our run chase. Now it was our turn to take on a rebuilding challenge. A steady 32 from Payne and 30 from Brent plus 15 from Gumbs meant we was falling short of the target and chances to save the match.

Rory Criddle however, found some valuable support from debutant Jack Rodnight, Jeremy O’Neill and Andy Harris to take the inning to within eight overs with one wicket left.

Horspath threw all they had at veteran Stanway who with Criddle hold off to deny Horspath a second win of the season as our innings closed at 160-9 off 57 overs.

With 12 of the 18 matches completed, we remain in fourth place in the league, 38 points behind leaders Aston Rowant CC. “Baloo the Jugster” will again be at home next Saturday as we host Banbury who are in fifth place in the league following their defeat to Slough.