An afternoon with the neighbours

The Cubs welcomed a break from the usual Oxfordshire road trip, to venture just down the road to neighbours Stewkley. Upon a rival, Orchard and Farr were quickly warned that turning up hungover to cricket matches was not the accepted practice (apparently?). Farr, standing in for Mr G who was stranded in America, won the toss and duly elected to bat. Out walked the seasoned openers, and Ollie. The two survived some lively bowling and added a quick 21, before Orchard fell to a good catch in the covers. Fairhurst continued with some mouth-watering cover drives, and some vomit inducing slogs, before he skied one back to the bowler. Meow. Bridgen departed for a quick 17 and then things started to deteriorate. Gordon-Stuart fell to a cruel, cruel scuttler, Taylor succumbed to the moon ball, Middleton departed from his flowing On-drives to hit one straight to point and Farr fell to another sharp catch from the younger, more talented Carter. The two Bullock boys attempted to provide stubborn resistance before Dad came along and shut the party down first ball. All out 123.

After an outstanding tea, the majority of the team were prepared to hide in first slip. Somehow, Fairhurst got their first ("It's where you hide him" said Orchard to captain Farr) as the ball continued to fly through the corden from the 'pace' of the returning Orchard. Bridgen and Orchard were unlucky not to get more from a fiery track, finishing with economical figures both, and some interesting wagon wheels. Captain Farr then called upon Fairhurst and Ryan Bullock to tie things down, the latter bowling tight lines and the former buying wickets with flight. Farr and Middleton both holding important catches before Fairhurst dismissed the dangerous S Carter (see ya later mate) and Bullock removed the stubborn Peacock. Sparke took an early wicket after some coaching from Birdgen, but neither he nor Cameron could not tie down the aggressive Andy Carter as Stewkley arrived home and dry with 4 wickets to spare. A well spirited game in which cricket was definitely the winner...