First Team Beaten By Oxford

Having won the toss, Shelvin Gumbs decided to take to the field offering Oxford first use of the pitch.

As he has done so frequently throughout the season, David Brent made an early breakthrough taking the first Oxford wicket in the 7th over. Simon Stanway was extremely economical conceding only 11 runs from his 8 overs. Although not scoring at an express pace, Oxford kept the scoreboard ticking at the other end but not without losing wickets at regular intervals.

At tenacious knock of 70 from 99 by Muhammad Ayub was the main stay of the Oxford innings as they finished on 220 for 9 at the end of their 50 overs. Wickets were taken by Michael Payne (3), David Brent (2), Shelvin Gumbs (2) and Andy Harris (1).

At the start of our innings there was a setback with the early loss of AJ Woodland’s wicket. This was quickly followed by the wickets of Payne, Andy Dixon and Liam Gough, before Brent and Gumbs set about rebuilding the innings with a partnership of 65. Brent then held out caught & bowled and the only other partnership of note was 25 between Gumbs and Wicket-keeper Jeremy O’Neill.

The late introduction of Connor Kilpatrick into the attack saw the pitch offering variable bounce creating a challenge for the our batters before we were bowled out for 166 in the 44th over.

With two games remaining, we are fifth in the League, 48 points behind leaders Slough.

“Baloo the Jugster” will make his final appearance at home this Saturday as we take on Finchampstead who are in 7th place in the league.