Oxfordshire CC vs Middlesex CC ( att : 200 est ) – NCAA Showcase

July 21, 2024

Middlesex ( 333 for 8 ) beat Oxfordshire ( 215 all out ) by 118 runs.

The NCAA Showcase serves as an opportunity for the Minor Counties to have a fixture against a First-Class County, whilst also serving as a preparation for the Counties ahead of the Metro Bank 50 over competition.

These diaries have attempted to cover both of these two sides this season, reporting on the first day of Middlesex vs Sussex at Lords in the Country Championship in May, but being thwarted by rain when planning to see Oxfordshire against Cheshire earlier this week.

Today’s match was played at Thame Town’s scenic Church Meadow ground, as was the game against Cheshire.

Oxfordshire CCC

Although rain prevented Fatbear from seeing any cricket on day two of their 3-day game against Cheshire, they quickly wrapped up victory on day three before more rain returned, as left arm spinner Tom Hinley took five wickets to bowl Cheshire out for 108 to seal a victory by an innings and 197 runs. Hinley’s reward was to be selected to play for Worcestershire today against Wales where he took 3 for 37 in his ten overs. Cheshire bounced back from this thrashing to beat Derbyshire by six wickets !!

Oxfordshire had made four changes to their XI for today’s game, with captain Mannering not selected, presumably with Home Guard duties, and wicketkeeper Eitan Litvin and Tristan Roussow also missing out, in addition to Hinley.

In their place were Sussex Academy batsman Julian Laird, Joe Gordon, who had played twice for Kent, wicket-keeper Freddie Smith, who had played for Sussex 2^nd XI in 2022, and spinner Henry Welch.

In the absence of Mannering, 33-year-old Jamie Harrison, who played 25 games for Durham scoring 2 half centuries and taking 62 wickets before a serious knee injured brought an end to his career at the highest level, took over the captaincy.

Middlesex CCC

After relegation from the County Championship First Division last season, Middlesex have had a mixed season. In Division Two of the Four Day competition they sat in second place, twenty-three points behind leaders Sussex, and with just one defeat in nine matches.

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2024/05/middlesex-vs-sussex-att-3000-est-2024.html 

However, it had been a different story in the Vitality T20 Blast competition where just three wins in 14 matches left them in 8^th place out of nine.

Compared to the side that took to the field against Sussex in May, there were only four changes for today’s game. Dropping out were Max Holden, Ryan Higgins, Leus de Plooy and Tom Helm. In their place were Joe Cracknell, Josh de Caires, Martin Andersson and Ishaan Kaushal.

The Middlesex side contained two former England internationals. Opening bat Sam Robson had 7 test caps and Mark Stoneman had played 11 test matches. Off-spinning all-rounder Josh de Caires is the son of former England captain Mike Atherton, and is reckoned by many pundits to be a future international.

Matchday Information

The weather today was sunny with temperatures around 22 degrees in the afternoon.

Entrance was free and an enterprising Ice Cream van was parked on the road just outside the ground and appeared to be doing good business. Inside the ground there was a Souvlaki stall, and the bar was open inside the clubhouse.

The match was streamed live on the Oxfordshire Cricket Board website, with a link to their YouTube channel.

Matchday Report

When I arrived at the ground, Oxfordshire were 46 for 2 in replay to Middlesex’s 333 for 8.

Although Tom Davis, who had played for both Worcestershire and Warwickshire 2^nd XIs this season, yorked Cracknell for nought in the second over, Middlesex had scored steadily all through their innings despite some tigerish fielding and some excellent catches.

Fernandes made an elegant 29 before gifting a catch to backward point but the two Internationals, Robson and Stoneman with a partnership of 79 in just under 12 overs steadied the ship, before Stoneman was adjudged to be LBW to off-spinner Tait attempting a sweep to be dismissed for 36. Robson was bowled shortly after by left-arm spinner Laird, backing away to play an extravagant cut-shot to be out for 69 to leave Middlesex 169 for 4 in the 27^th over.

Davies then chipped leg spinner Welch towards short mid-wicket where Tait made an excellent diving catch to leave Middlesex 179 for 5, and it wasn’t looking too good when Andersson played an ambitious reverse sweep to Tait and missed to be out for 29 runs. At 206 for 6 in the 37^th over, a lot depended on Hollman and de Caires, but fortunately for the County side they delivered, adding 108 in 12 overs until de Caires was caught by a superb one-handed catch by Driscoll off Rossouw for 42 off 32 balls. In the frantic remaining balls, Hollman was run out attempting a bye to the wicketkeeper to be out for 73 runs off 60 balls, before Bamber hit the last three balls of the innings for four.

A total off 333 for 8 looked to be more than sufficient to win the game for Middlesex. For Oxfordshire, Roussow took 2 for 37 off 7 overs, and Tait had 2 for 71 off 10 overs. Chahal had been injured when hit by a fierce caught and bowled chance.

Oxfordshire started their innings slowly but when Laird looked to be accelerating, he slashed at a wide ball from Kaushal and was caught behind for 16. South African born Hayden Rossouw, who had  scored 93 for Oxfordshire in 2021 against a Sussex attack that included Jofra Archer, James Coles and Travis Head, was at number three, but he offered a tame returned catch to De Caires to depart for one.

De Caires was bowling at the Meadow End and Brookes at the Town End. Brookes send down a particularly fast bouncer to number four Joe Gordon, with keeper Davies forced to make a spectacular diving stop high to his left. A loud LBW shout soon followed but the ball looked to be obviously going down the leg side.

After 17 overs Oxfordshire had progressed to 61 for 2, with Harrison 22 not out and Gordon on 11. After some sedate play it was a surprise when Harrison then hammered De Caires straight for four, then swung the next ball to the deep mid-wicket boundary for four more. A sweep then made it three consecutive boundaries, but no more runs came from the over thanks to two good diving stops at cover by Hollman.

Brookes then sent a rapid delivery down the leg side to which Gordon scooped behind square for four more but from the last ball of the over Harrison played and missed outside his off stump as Brookes fell to the deck in a manner reminiscent of Mark Wood. At the end of the 19^th over it was 78 for 2.

De Caires then dropped short, and Gordon pulled to deep mid-wicket for four with Cracknell unable to stop it, and then Gordon stepped back to cut to deep point for a single. Harrison danced down the wicket to send a huge six over the sightscreen to bring up the 50 partnership. Harrison then attempted a reverse sweep to which there was a loud LBW appeal from the bowler, but one run was given by the umpire. Gordon then lifted the last ball of the over extra cover for another six as the score moved to 96 for 2 over 20 overs as de Caires figures were now 1 for 45 off 6 overs.

There was a change of bowling at the Town End as leg spinner Hollman replaced Brookes and his first over yielded just a leg bye and a single off the bat.

Opening bowler Kaushal then returned at the Meadow End, and was greeted by Gordon picking a ball outside off-stump over long-off for six, and then next ball a pull went for four despite a diving attempt to make a catch on the boundary. Kaushal was unlucky when a leading-edge flew over the wicket-keeper for a single. At the end of the over it was 109 for 2 off 22 overs.

Gordon now had his eye in and a slog-sweep off Hollman brought six more and then a dab outside off-stump produced another single. Harrison decided to charge down the wicket, missed what looked to be a googly, and was easily stumped by Davies to depart for 41 runs off 56 balls. It was now 116 for 3 off 22.4 overs.

The new batsman was Luke Hayes, who pushed a full-toss from his second ball for a single to retain the strike.

Kaushal then found the outside edge of Hayes, but his soft hands ensured the ball bounced before reaching slip. Another single came from the fourth ball of the over, a push to the mid-wicket region. Gordon was then deceived by a slower ball but the mishit floated in the air but well short of Stoneman in the covers. Gordon took a single off the last ball of the over to keep the strike. 119 for 3 off 24 overs.

After Gordon took another single, Hayes attempted a huge slog, only to get a thick inside edge to the mid-wicket boundary but from the last ball of the over, Gordon played all around a straight ball to be plumb LBW to Hollman for 48 from 49 balls. It was now 121 for 4 off 25 overs, and drinks were now taken.

With a solitary Red Kite circling low over the field, George Tait strode to the wicket at number six. However, from the first ball after the restart, Hayes checked his shot and Kaushal took a smart diving return catch. Hayes had to go for 3 and the score moved to 121 for 5.

Freddie Smith was the new batsman, and gingerly got off the mark from his second ball. Kaushal then attempted a bouncer which Tait played and missed at, but a no-ball was signalled. Tait got off the mark from the final ball of the over with a simple push into the vacant mid-wicket area. 125 for 5 off 26 overs.

Tait then greeted Hollman’s second ball, a drag down, by sending it over deep square leg for six, and then drove the next ball to the point boundary for a single. Hollman bowled a no-ball before Smith smacked a full-toss to long-on and de Caires appeared to have taken a diving catch, but it must have bounced just in front of him and a single accrued to the total. Tait then hit another full-toss to De Caires at long-off to end the over as the score progressed to 136 for 5 off 27 overs.

Middlesex made a bowling change with Fernandes coming on to replace de Caires with his left arm spin. 5 runs came from the over On the last ball Tait drove to Andersson on the point boundary, but when the Middlesex fielder fumbled, Tait wasn’t watching so missed out on a second run. 141 for 5 off 28 overs.

Three singles came from Hollman’s next over, although Smith was beaten all ends up from the final ball, a googly, as the ball went through to the wicketkeeper. Hollman now had 2 for 25 off 5 overs and the score was now 144 for 5 off 29 overs.

When Fernandes dropped short, Tait sent the ball over long-on for another six. The third ball was pitched up, and Tait again sent it over long-on for another maximum. 14 came off the over as Oxfordshire moved onto 158 for 5 off 30 overs. Fernandes had gone for 18 in his two overs.

Smith then joined in the fun, advancing down the wicket to produce a lovely cover drive off Hollman’s first ball of the next over, and then drove the next ball through long-off for four more. Smith was content to take a single from the fourth ball with a lofted drive to long-on before Tait’s agricultural hack went to cow corner for four more to bring up the 50 partnership. 171 for 5 off 30 overs.

Middlesex brought back Brookes from the Meadow End, and he struck immediately, his first ball beating Smith’s defensive prod to hit off stump. Smith was out for 14 runs.

The new batsman Dylan Driscoll was greeted with a long hop/bouncer which was steered to deep square for a single. The next ball rapped Tait on the gloves, and the fourth ball of the over went for two leg-byes down towards fine leg, but that didn’t stop Robson at slip appealing for LBW ! It was now 175 for 6 off 31 overs.

Tait reversed swept Hollman’s first ball for four but was then content to milk a single to long-off. Driscoll unconvincingly pulled a short ball from which they ran a sharp single. With 8 coming from the over, the score moved to 183 for 6 off 32 overs with Tait on 38 and Hollman’s figure were 2 for 47 off 7 overs.

After Brookes saw his second delivery pulled for a single by Driscoll, he then pulled up in his delivery stride with what appeared to be a leg injury, but after a short delay he was able to continue. Tait sliced the next ball to third man for a single, after which Driscoll played a superb shot to the backward point boundary for another four. Brookes claimed a moral victory with the final ball of the over, as Driscoll played and missed outside his off stump. 189 for 6 off 34 overs

Hollman continued to bowl from the Town End, and Tait lofted him to long-on for another six and when the spinner offered some width next ball, Tait latched onto it and cut behind point for four. Tait was half beaten from the next ball but got enough bat on it for it to squeeze out to mid-wicket for a single to bring up  his half century and take the score to 200. However, it was a different game when Driscoll was facing Hollman and after two unconvincing shots, he was plumb LBW playing all around a straight one. Driscoll was out for 8 runs and Hollman had 3 for 57 off 8 overs. The score was now 200 for 7 off 35 overs

De Caires returned to bowl at the Meadow End, and after a leg-side wide to begin with he conceded just three more runs. 204 for 7 off 36 overs.

Hollman continued to wile away from the Town End. Tait pulled him to deep square leg but an unfortunate bounce meant the diving Fernandes saved the boundary by the ball hitting him on the jaw. No lasting damage was done though and play continued. Five runs came from the over as the score moved on to 209 for 7 from 37 overs.

Tait decided to try and hit de Caires into Buckinghamshire,but unfortunately for him he only succeeded in sending the ball high into the air, and de Caires called for the catch to take the caught and bowled. Tait was out for 53 off 40 balls, having hit 3 fours and 4 sixes. Henry Welch came in and played out a wicket maiden to leave Oxfordshire 209 for 8 off 38 overs.

It was now Tom Davis’s turn to smack Hollman for six, with play held up for a couple of minutes with the ball lost in the hedge beyond the long-on boundary but when he tried to repeat off the next ball he missed and was bowled. With Chahal unable to bat, Oxfordshire were all out for 215 and Middlesex had won by 118 runs.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours watching the young Oxfordshire side bat against their more experienced opponents. Hollman returned the best figures for Middlesex with 4 for 68 off 9.2 overs. A lot of the time he looked like cannon-fodder but when he occasionally pitched his googly in the right areas he caused a few problems

Full Stream : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLZhhoBACVI

BBC Scorecard : https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-219270#Oxford

 

 

Thame United 4-2 Aylesbury Vale Dynamos ( att : 80 est ) – 2024/25 Pre-Season Friendly

July 20, 2024

Pre-season friendlies continue, and today’s afternoon’s entertainment was a local derby but between two sides that rarely play each other due to usually being in different leagues. Thame and Aylesbury Vale Dynamos had only spent two seasons in the same division, being in Southern League Division One Central in 2017/18 and 2018/19, when Thame won three times and there was one draw. Dynamos were known simply as Aylesbury in those years.

Thame United

Although Thame finished in a relegation position in last season's Southern League Division One Central, they were reprieved from relegation following Nuneaton going out of business, having the best points per game ratio of the sides in relegation positions in the eight step 4 leagues.

It had been a tough season after the upheavals of the previous summer and new manager Ben Williams having to put together a new squad. After looked doomed at Christmas they had steadily improved towards the season end and had the form of a mid-table team in the closing two months.

Encouragingly, ten of last season’s squad had been confirmed as staying on for the new season, and the new signings announced so far were 36-year-old ex-Yeovil, Peterborough United, Doncaster and Sheffield United defender Craig Alcock, who was last with Harlow, ex-Aylesbury United and Harrow Borough winger/forward Reece Cameron, winger Rocko Tamplin from AFC Dunstable and midfielder Alfie Tucker on loan from Slough Town. Yesterday, the signing of ex-Didcot centre-back Leo Galpin was posted on Twitter.

Two players had joined from today’s opposition, forward Curtis Brown and midfielder/forward Fabian Garcia, who returned to Thame after playing for their Reserves in 2022/23.

Thame had already played four pre-season friendlies, all at home against Step 5 sides, beating Milton United and Winslow Utd, both by 3-2 margins, and drawing 1-1 against both Risborough Rangers and MK Irish.

Thame’s league campaign begins on August 10^th with a visit to Ware, but the week before that they have a tasty home FA Cup tie with Aylesbury United, their more traditional rivals from just over the Buckinghamshire border.

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos

The club were formed in the 1930s and played under a number of different names. They were known as Haywood United as they progressed through the Spartan South Midlands Divisions, becoming Aylesbury Vale in 2005 and then just Aylesbury in 2009. In 2018 they adopted the current name.

Aylesbury won the 2009/10 Spartan South Midlands Premier Division title to earn promotion to the Southern League Division One Central, where they played until relegation at the end of 2018/19. Their best placed finish was in 2014/15 when they ended in third place but failed to progress in the promotion play-off. The derby matches against Aylesbury United in those seasons was dubbed “El Quackico”, after the Aylesbury Duck breed.

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos have suffered significant off-field misfortunes in recent years. Their Haywood Way ground is located in an area that is prone to flooding, so the ground has been under water a couple of times. Two years ago, burst frozen pipes led to the clubhouse being closed for five months, and in January their cow shed behind a goal was destroyed by severe storms. A Just Giving appeal raised £5K for repairs, to which Fatbear was one of the contributors despite never having been to the ground or seen the club play.

Dynamos ended in 11^th place in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division last season, but their campaign was affected by having to play some of their “home” matches away from Haywood Way due to the storm damage to the ground.

Dynamos’ Twitter account recently announced that 10 players had signed on for another season. These included two players who had previously played for Thame. Midfielder Alfie Anderson played four matches at the beginning of the 2023/24 season, and winger Abu Khan played a number of matches towards the end of the 2022/23 season. Defender Nathan Broadsword used to play for Long Crendon and centre-back Terry Griffiths is not the Welsh former World Snooker Champion, but instead has played for AFC Dunstable.

Dynamo have also announced 8 new signings, but nearly all of these seem to be players being promoted from their Under 23 squad to the first team.

AVD have played three pre-season friendly matches so far, beating Penn & Tylers Green 1-0 and losing 1-2 at Holmer Green, both at Step 6 in the Combined Counties League, and thrashing Step 7 Bovingdon 5-2, where the scorers were Max Sato, Princewill Madu, Samuel Olawale, Abu Khan and a trialist.

The Spartan South Midlands League season starts next weekend and Aylesbury Vale Dynamos commence with a home fixture against Arlesey Town and then a midweek trip to Kempston Rovers, before visiting Flackwell Heath in the FA Cup.

Match Day Information

Like all of Thame’s previous pre-season friendlies, today’s match was being played on the 3G pitch surrounded by a cage, rather than on the main pitch in the ASM stadium. As a result, entry was free, but the spectator facilities were pretty limited, with just standing space alongside three-quarters of one side of the pitch, with the rest fenced off. There was no cover from the elements, no tannoy announcements, no team-sheets, but at least the bar and the toilets in the main clubhouse were open.

The visitors faced a journey of ten miles from Haywood Way to the ASM stadium, which should normally take around 20 minutes.

After temperatures hitting 29 degrees the day before, it was only a mere 21 degrees at the 15.00 kick-off time, and the skies were overcast.

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos were in a kit of yellow and blue hoops, with blue shorts and socks, whilst Thamer were in their usually red and black stripes shirts with black shorts.

Match Report

After a cagey opening, the first incident occurred in the 7^th minute when Thame’s Jefferson Louis and a Dynamos’ Trialist collided inside the Thame penalty area and both players crashed to the floor, but the referee waved play on.

Dynamos’ left-back Anderson was looking lively in the opening stages, and after sending an eye-catching cross-field ball from left-back, Brown couldn’t control and the Thame trialist keeper gathered.

With 11 minutes played, Garcia brought down Anderson mid-way inside the Thame half for a free-kick. The referee spoke to Garcia but being a friendly no card was shown. Anderson hit the free-kick long over the Thame back line, and although Ackah-Senzah kept the ball in play, the Thame keeper gathered.

Thame should have opened the scoring in the 13^th minute. Curtis Brown was released down the right-wing and his lovely low ball into the danger zone presented Fountain with a sitter, but the Thame forward mis-kicked from 6 yards and the ball went off for a goal-kick. The chance should have been buried !

Shortly after, Anderson’s injury from the earlier foul meant he couldn’t continue, which was a shame as he had made an impressive start, and he was replaced by Melvyn Lubaki.

The visitors continued to press, and Brown’s cross from the right-wing was slightly behind Baldwin, who leaning back could only head high and over.

At the other end, Curtis Brown made for the right by-line but was fouled by Lubaki. The free-kick came to nothing, but two minutes later a low shot from Thame’s number 8 was saved at his near post by Swain. Fountain then was released down the right-hand channel, but again his ball into the penalty area was intercepted and cleared.

A moment of controversy occurred in the 27^th minute. Jenkins launched a long ball out of the Dynamos’ defence and Ackah-Senzah ran onto it. The Thame keeper came out of his area, but the Dynamo midfielder got to it first and pushed it past the keeper, only to be flattened. Had this been a competitive match the Thame keeper would probably have been shown a red card, but no sanction was applied. Baldwin took the free-kick but although his low effort went through the wall, the Thame keeper made a good save diving to his right.

Deffah then tried his luck from long-range, but his effort hit a team-mate and was deflected off for a goal-kick.

Slightly against the run of play, Thame took the lead. Slack defending from the visitors allowed a ball across the penalty area to reach Garcia, who slammed the ball into the roof of the net, with the shot being too hot for keeper Swain to keep out. 1-0 after 30 minutes.

Garcia then easily beat Pike on the left-wing but his ball into the Dynamos area was cut-out by Jenkins.

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos were still looking dangerous though, and after 35 minutes, Khan cut inside from the left wing onto his right foot, but his 20 yard effort was pushed away by the diving Thame keeper.

A flowing move from the visitors saw Khan cross from the left-wing, and Lucey need to head off for a corner to prevent a Dynamo attacker getting on the end of it. The corner was played short and after the cross was punched away by the Thame keeper under pressure, Jenkins’ shot from just outside the area was blocked by a Thame defender.

With three minutes to go to the interval, Abu Khan ran at the retreating Thame backline and was brought down. Deffah’s ball into the mixer was met by Brown but when it looked like Thame would clear the danger, the clearance from Louis disastrously went straight to Abu Khan, who had the simple task to put the ball into the empty net from 6 yards. 1-1 after 43 minutes.

Thame then gave the ball away near the half-way line and Brown played an incisive pass to Baldwin in the left-hand channel. His fierce left-foot drive was well saved by the Thame keeper diving to his left, but the loose ball fell kindly to the onrushing Abu Khan, and although his contact was far from perfect, the ball bobbled into the empty net for his second goal inside two minutes. 1-2 after 45 minutes.

Thame made six changes after the interval and immediately looked much more energetic. The first chance of the half though fell to the visitors as Baldwin found Khan on the left wing, and again he cut inside but shot a few feet over the bar.

Thame equalised shortly after. Substitute Alfie Tucker chased after a weak back pass and the Dynamos keeper lacked the bravery to dive on the ball and instead tried to kick it away. The rebound fell kindly to substitute Harry Alexander whose low left-footed attempt from 20 yards nestled into the bottom corner. 2-2 after 50 minutes.

The Dynamos keeper was looking suspect, and a wild flap at a cross did little to inspire confidence, but Pike cleared the danger.

Baldwin was fouled close to the half-way line, but the Dynamos forward was alert enough to play a quick free-kick to Ackah-Senzah who released Abu Khan. However, a good tackle for Thame substitute number 12 ended the threat.

Thame should have taken the lead in the 57^th minute. Tucker won the ball inside the visitors' half and sent Tamplin scampering down the left wing, and his pin-point cross was met by substitute number 11, but his header was glanced well wide from 6 yards rather than bulging in the back of the net.

Dynamos came close the regaining the lead in the 63^rd minute. Substitute Olawale produced a great cross from the right but Baldwin’s header from 6 yards was straight at the Thame keeper, who somehow kept the ball out of the net.

Thame substitute Tamplin was being subjected to some rough play from the visitors and after a cynical foul from Jenkins, the Dynamos defender showed himself an imaginary yellow card, which I think the referee also confirmed. A scramble ensued from the free kick, but when the ball was cleared, Olawale scorched down the right-wing, but his pull back into the Thame area was cut-out by Lacey.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, Thame won a corner, and from the delivery to the far post, Riddick rose the highest to send a header over the stranded Dynamos keeper and into the net. 3-2 after 69 minutes.

It was then Pike’s turn to bring down Tamplin, but the Thame free kick was over-hit and although Riddick kept the ball in play, the danger was cleared.

After a quite phase, Thame left-back Lucey went on a surging run out of defence, but Garcia blazed well wide after receiving the pass.

Alexander then grabbed his second goal of the game, showing good feet to skip past two would be tacklers to shoot into the far corner. 4-2 after 79 minutes.

Tamplin then went on another strong run, but Tucker’s shot was blocked by a defender. With seven minutes left to play the Thame keeper dithered in making a clearing kick but when Olawale dived in he fouled the keeper.

As the clock wound down the final pieces of action included Dynamos keeper Swain colliding with his defender when trying to punch away a cross, resulting in the referee halting play for treatment. Shortly after, a poor throw-out from the Dynamos keeper was intercepted by Tucker, who was promptly fouled. Tucker got up to take the free kick, but his 25 yard effort went a couple of feet wide.

The referee blew for full-time with next to no added-on time played to bring to the end an entertaining friendly. It is always hard to read anything into pre-season friendlies, but Thame looked a much better side in the second half, whereas Aylesbury Vale Dynamos looked stronger in the first half.