20 June 2022
Last week was an incredibly busy week for the Cricket Club, with fixtures on most days along with our annual hosting of the local primary schools’ Kwik Cricket Festivals and completed with a full fixture block against Haberdashers’ School on Saturday.
On Monday our U12 As took on local rivals MCS in the semi final of the Oxon Cup. Batting first MCS made 105 for 8 from their allotted overs on War Memorial, and with a quick outfield, this looked a very chaseable target. Sadly, the regular loss of wickets set up an incredibly tight finish with the home side finishing a tantalising 2 runs short, bowled out for 103.
Tuesday saw U15 fixtures against our most local rivals, Radley College. The U15 As are playing some excellent cricket at the moment, and when they are on song, they are a very exciting unit. Still without seamer Jago Dyer due to injury and resting Alfie Smethurst for this fixture, they were very impressive in all departments. Radley College batting first, scored 130 all out, with Arlo Hyman picking up 3 wickets. In response Oliver Veal (58) and Charlie Hunt (48) figured strongly in a very accomplished run chase, losing just the 1 wicket, to claim a comprehensive 9 wicket victory.
In the U15 B fixture, Radley batted first and piled on an impressive 165 for the loss of 7 wickets, with Freddie Arnold taking 3 for 36. Despite Jacob Wilkins’ 31, it was a disappointing day for the team with the bat, making 105 all out, falling 60 runs short. The U15 C team batted first and posted a very competitive 159 for 9 with contributions shared across the team with the bat. In response, Radley were almost faultless in their run making and with wickets in hand passed the target for the loss of just 2 wickets.
Both U12 teams were in action again on Wednesday against our own Prep School. The 12 As were set 160 to win, but fell 22 short despite Joe Campbell’s 35 not out, whilst there was an exciting finish in the 12 Bs game with Abingdon Prep reaching the target of 111 with just 3 wickets remaining after Miley Vann had scored 25 not out in the first innings for Abingdon.
In glorious sunshine on War Memorial on Friday, the U15 cricketers produced another clinical display in beating The Oratory in the County Cup Final.
Abingdon won the toss and chose to bat first. Ethan Barksfield got them off to a flying start with a quick fire 23, whilst Charlie Hunt continued his rich vein of form, anchoring the innings with an assured 73 not out. Conor Rogan contributed a very useful 33 not out at the end to ensure the team posted a very imposing total of 175 for 4 from their 20 overs.
It was then the turn of the bowlers, with Connor Lamsdale (4 for 3) and Will Simpson (2 for 10) effectively ending the game as a contest very quickly as they reduced Oratory to 4 for 3 in a devastating early burst, before Alfie Smethurst (1 for 17) and Tom Hughes (2 for 3) wrapped up the victory, bowling Oratory out for 37. The team now progress into the Regional rounds, starting with a home fixture against Stowe on Friday 24 June.
