U13 Tour 2021 – Day Three

Tiddington’s U13 roadshow moved on to South Devon on Wednesday, with an on-off-on-off trip to Kingsbridge finally getting the green light thanks to a scattering of younger siblings and holidaying Oxford friends. Between Tiddington and Kingsbridge, 22 players were mustered, split into two teams, and set about producing a couple of last-over finishes.

James Mackay and Louis Nicholson got their side off to a flying start in game one, retiring at 25 before local boys Edwin Langley and Dylan Weeks added their own contributions in a final total of 135/3 from 20 overs.

It was some late-order Tiddington hitting that changed the course of the match, however, with Monty Boyd, Charlie Groves and Wilf Edwards all crossing 20. It was Edwards who ended the game in the final over, striking Langley commandingly back over his head with the field in and the scores tied.

The defeated bowler turned the tables in game two, striking 16 from just four balls after early runs from Boonie Birch, Kit Kingsbury and James Mackay to post 92/3 from their 10 overs. It was a total that always looked likely to be enough to square the day at one game all, and so it proved.

James Peers (8) then took centre stage with the ball, recording figures of 2/15 as the chasing team slipped to 56 for 6. Retirements from Boyd and Elliott Richardson kept the chase competitive, and Boyd’s late return (on his way to a 12-ball 30*) ensured a respectable finish at 80 for 8.

Photos coming soon!

Honours even, all involved, with fish and chips and a swim in the sea to follow (plus an impromptu bikers’ convention) – what more could a tourist want? It’s fingers crossed for a final game at Whimple on Thursday before the weather closes in, and the tour party head back to Oxfordshire.