On what was a stunning day in the rural Oxfordshire countryside, the Buccaneers fielded a strong side for the rejuventated fixture versus Oxford Downs. The toss was quickly won and the opposition put in. For the third or fourth time this season, C. Pexton and H. Robertson toiled hard for the opening spell without prevail. Wicketless but incredibly tidy, they kept the run rate to below two an over for the first twelve sets. Lo and behold, the younger brother (O. Robertson) took a wicket with this first ball, nicking off an edge to Fletcher behind the stumps. Archie Marsh took the other end and bowled fantastically well for his four wickets, by varying his pace and flight.
The Buccaneers fielding was crucial to maintainaing pressure, with a sturdy performance from Neil Robertson at mid-off as well as fine catches from Clark and Marsh J. Ollie Robertson took an absolute blinder at short cover – somehow managing to sneak his hand under the ball to send a bewildered batsman packing. With the score on 160-5 at the second drinks break, the opening bowlers returned for some death bowling with cutters and slower balls a plenty to quench Oxford Downs of their aggression and finished 200-6 after 44 overs.
A nice spread preceded a fine opening stand by Marsh J and Clark, who exhibited some lovely timed shots and hard running to put together an opening stand of 78 before drinks. Jeremy Milne (keen to explore the middle of his new bat) came into the fray and supported the extravagant Marsh with countless hard run threes, to much applause from the rest of the batting order. Milne chipped a ball in the air and Marsh fell just shy of his third Buccs ton, to leave us at 169-3 with a nice 42 runs to chase. A workmanlike partnership ensued by Valentine and Berry to bring the spoils for the visiting side.
With both James (95) and Archie (4 wickets) providing some adequate jug avoidance, quick getaways were a plenty, with the hope to get home before the Euro’s final that evening.
Football might not be coming “home” but one thing is for certain, the buccaneers form has delivered three wins from three. Roll on West Chilts.
Innings of Oxford Downs
| 1 S. Hunt Ct Fletcher O. Robertson 12 2 M. Hunt St Fletcher Marsh 27 3 D. Edwards Ct Clark Marsh 17 4 J. Botha LBW H. Robertson 56 5 W. Owens Ct O. Robertson Marsh 3 6 N. Corbin Ct J. Marsh Marsh 10 7 Ling Not Out 53 8 N. Kumar Not Out 11 Byes(5); Leg Byes(4); Wides(1); No Balls(1); Extras: 11 Total: 200 Wickets: 6 Overs: 44 |
| Fall Of Wickets |
| 31-1 ; 51-2 ; 62-3 ; 72-4 ;107-5 ; 162-6 |
| Bowling |
| Name Overs Maidens Runs Wickets 1 H. Robertson 9 3 31 1 2 C. Pexton 8 2 34 0 3 O. Robertson 7 0 34 1 4 A Marsh 11 1 28 4 5 A Berry 7 0 43 0 6 J Marsh 2 0 21 0 |
Innings of Buccaneers
| 1 J. Marsh Bowled B Ling 95 2 G. Clark Caught W Owens 22 3 J Milne Caught J Botha 23 4 A Valentine Not Out 17 5 A Berry Not Out 11 Byes(8); Leg Byes(2); Wides(13);NB (10) Extras: 33 Total: 201 Wickets: 3 Overs: 34 |
| Fall Of Wickets |
| 78-1 ; 151-2 ; 169-3 |
| Bowling |
| Name Overs Maidens Runs Wickets 1 N. Kumar 6 0 25 0 2 J. Brister 4 1 21 0 3 W. Owens 8 1 39 1 4 H. Thompson 5 1 44 0 5 B Ling 6 0 30 0 6 J Botha 5 0 30 0 7 D Hawes 0.1 2 |