First Team Beaten By Henley

Charlie Macdonell once again took over the captaincy but it was Henley’s captain Michael Roberts who called correctly at the toss and electing to field. The opening pair of Andy Dixon and AJ Woodland made a good start to our innings as the Henley bowlers slightly sprayed the ball around. We lost both openers with the score on 41, as they were dismissed in successive overs caught behind.

The Henley bowlers were now settling into decent line and length spells making it challenging for our batsman to play their shots. With two new batters at the crease, a rebuilding exercise was required from Charlie Macdonell and Michael Payne (pictured), but a partnership of 20 was well below the plan as Macdonell was dismissed for 14.

One run later, Jeremy O’Neill was next to be dismissed. Following the dismissal of David Brent for nine, Andy Harris contributed 31 in a partnership of 57 with Payne. With the wicket flattening out, the most productive partnership of was compiled between Payne and Rory Criddle, with the latter contributing 34 from 34 balls as we finished our innings on 236-7. Payne finished on a well made 86 not out from 153 balls.

We failed to capitalise on the early Henley wicket of Roberts which was the only one taken by our bowlers as Henley took great advantage of a decent batting wicket. Euan Woods and Matthew Rowe continued to enjoy themselves at the wicket both carrying their bats to 115 and 102 respectively.

With half of the season completed, we are now in fourth place in the league, 20 points behind leaders Aston Rowant. With his school Saturday commitments completed, captain Shelvin Gumbs is now back for the second half of the season.