Tiddington 2nd vs Charlbury 1st

The working week had ended and the cricketing weekend had began. Oxfordshire over 50’s had allowed John Fudge to play club cricket and 1st team Friday night boozer MJ had returned to the side.

Jacob had won the toss and put the opposition in to bat but before we were to take the field of play, a voice was heard from Pat “The Hammer” Knightley, “yeh my whites are at home”. With Dick of the Day having already been sorted, a very senior team ventured past the boundary line in search for another victory.

Myself and Bungalow opened up. The bowling was tidy from the top end, picking up an early wicket. However our impact seamers, Jamie and Hammer clearly found it hard to adjust their lines, lengths and anything to do with bowling. This led to skipper Jacob making 5 bowling changes within the first 10 overs of the game and Charlbury were fairly set with 50+ runs off their first 10.

A change in pace was a necessity at this point. Smilk came on from the bottom end and the Bird came on from the top end (just to get that extra bit of pace). Smilk and the Bird yet again got the job done, building pressure and taking poles with the help of part time gloveman MJ. After the combination of “Belliot” running out of overs as well as Jamie and Hammer forgetting how to do a cricket, the skipper bought himself on for his debut Cherwell bowling spell, along with Malik, who had been taken out of bowling retirement.

Skipper Yacob put in an excellent shift, picking up 3 wickets and going for minimal runs. Malik’s natural variation of genuine leg spin, beamers and gentle in swing had the opposition in all sorts. The pair had taken the necessary wickets to end Charlburys innings. With Tiddington needing 153 to win.

With news having spread it was a Richard Elliot tea, the team were delighted. After we had filled up on BBQ chicken and the Malik and Nathan show was finally over, our opening pair, Kingy and John the Rock Mackie, walked out to the middle.

Charlburys opening bowling attack consisted of a 7ft tall 52MPH seamer who could only bowl a bumper, and medium pacer who hasn’t figured out how to run up to the crease. However, Kingy had succumbed to consistent bumpers he’d received for 4 overs, and placed a delivery straight down square legs throat.

John Fudge walked out to the in form Rock, where they both showed the team and spectators how to chase a score. The partnership was a delight to watch. The Rock and Fudge were smoking pull shots, cover drives and cow corner hoiks. It was evident they were rolling back the years, when the Rock came dancing dancing down the track to dispatch the spin bowler into the trees.

The pair were pure textbook, putting the bad balls away and blocking out the good balls. Unfortunately for Charlbury, there were no good balls, so the game ended fairly sharp.

Tiddington had won by 9 wickets, and the Rock was pushing his name through the top 7 Cherwell league run scorers.
DOD- Pat Knightley
MOM- John Mackie

A special shout out to Joe Elliot who said that Romans are from Romania.