The 3rds hosted Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondies 3rds on Sat 10 June.
With a wide array of bowling options available, captain Rob Owen stood down from the selected XI to make way for some additional batting strength. This proved to be a master stroke when the chosen batsman (mentioning no names) eventually turned up at 1.40pm. Nondies 3rds were put in to bat and struggled along at 2-3 runs per over in the face of tight bowling from all six bowlers, backed up again by excellent fielding.
Rachael Potter and Dave Spilsbury set the tone with good opening spells, each taking a wicket and conceding just 39 runs from the first 16 overs. Alex Bellenie then picked up where he had left off last week with another great stint of 11-4-30-4. Tom Gould, returning from injury, bowled six overs at about 1/2 normal pace that included 30 dot balls whilst Sam Collins and Mukesh took a wicket apiece in their 6 over spells. Nondies finished their innings on 136-9 from 45 overs.
Mukesh, our designated tea-provider, then dashed to his car (or was it the TARDIS?) and produced a seemingly endless supply of sandwiches and cakes. We eventually finished eating and started our pursuit of the run target. Nick Angus and Will Bibby looked in fine form before Will unexpectedly got a leading edge and was caught at cover. This brought Harry Gillam to the crease (arriving within the allotted time).
Unfortunately we lost three further wickets and at 53-4 memories of our collapse against Tiddington a few weeks ago started to surface. We didn’t need to be worried as Harry and Mukesh added an unbeaten partnership of 86 in 14 overs to see us home. Mukesh finished 21no and Harry reached 85no with a six to win the game to add to his fourteen other boundaries.
Another terrific performance, thanks to Swiley for being the on-field skipper. Next up is another home game vs Banbury 5s.