Chinnor 82-34 Cambridge ( att : 1,954 ) - 2024/25 English Championship

May 31, 2025

The 2024/25 Championship season reached its final round on the last day of May, as Chinnor entertained Cambridge in a match between 10^th and 12^th, and regardless of the result today, the two sides would finish in the same places in the final table for the season.

This was the fourth meeting between the two clubs this season. On the opening day of the season, Chinnor romped to a 57-24 victory in Cambridge in their first ever fixture at the second level of rugby in England. Then, after being excluded from the Premiership Cup, the two sides organised the Not The Prem Cup, in which Chinnor took the trophy after a 33-24 win at home in November and a 33-31 success in the return in March.

Chinnor Update

Two weeks ago, Chinnor slipped to a narrow 19-24 defeat at home to London Scottish but last week they were well beaten 26-61 at Bedford Blues, although the score was 19-19 at half-time. This was the first time Chinnor had conceded 50 points this season, but it wasn’t quite their biggest losing margin, having lost 5-41 at Ealing Trailfinders earlier in the month. However, these were away games against the top two sides in the division.

Chinnor would probably be satisfied with a 10^th place finish in their debut season at this level, having achieved notable scalps in beating Bedford, Doncaster and Nottingham at home, and drawing at Hartpury, as well as doing the double over Caldy. All of this achieved with what is believed to be the lowest budget in the league, and apart from Coventry, it was the best performance by a newly promoted side to the Championship in the last 10 years.

However, there could also be some frustration at the number of defeats by small margins. Games against Ampthill, Cornish Pirates ( twice ), Nottingham, Coventry and London Scottish could easily have gone the other way, and with a bit more experience, know-how or luck, Chinnor could have been a couple of places of higher in the table. Hopefully, lessons will have been learned for next season so they might be able to close out more close games.

Chinnor would also be delighted by the huge home support they have received this season. A combination of a better match-day experience, active marketing, and more attractive opposition with more traveling support had resulted in Chinnor becoming the third best supported team in the division ( and hence the 13^th best in the country ), with an average of 1,777, which compared to 1,062 last season, and 479 for 2022/23. Nearly a 400% increase over two seasons !

Cambridge Update

Cambridge came into today on a losing run of 12 consecutive league games, and they had lost every game played in 2025. They had won just three matches, at home to Ampthill and Cornish Pirates, and at Caldy, had conceded over 1,000 points, and had conceded 50+ points in their last 7 games, and 11 times in total this season.

Cambridge though did have seven four try bonus points, so a high scoring game looked to be in prospect, so Fatbear would need to have plenty of paper and ink to record all the action !

Last time out, Cambridge lost 43-54 at Ampthill after leading 29-14 at half-time. It seemed to mirror several of their recent outings, in which they had been competitive in the first-half, before fading away in the second period.

The Not The Prem Cup match was covered in November, and a lot of background information on Cambridge was included in that report.

 https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2024/11/chinnor-33-24-cambridge-att-1442-202425.html

Prop Jake Ellwood made 9 appearances for Chinnor in 2018 whilst on loan from Ealing Trailfinders, whilst hooker Morgan Vaness played 5 times in 2021, also on loan from Ealing Trailfinders.

Full-back Elias Cavan had scored 11 tries and was the top points scorer with 91 points. Hooker Ben Brownlie had touched down on 10 occasions.

With the Championship being expanded to 14 sides for next season with the promotion of National League One winners Richmond and the reformed Worcester Warriors being parachuted in, there was to be no relegation for the bottom placed side this season. Cambridge therefore had the opportunity to regroup and go again next season, and as part of that process they had announced the departure of 15 players plus 7 loanees returning to their parent clubs. Eight of the leavers started at Ampthill, with another two on the bench.

Matchday Information

According to AA route planner, the journey from Cambridge to Thame is 79 miles and should normally take around an hour and fifty minutes.

The weather at the 15.00 kick-off was sunny and the temperature was 22 degrees but the infamous Chinnor breeze was present but relatively gentle by its winter standards !

Adult tickets purchased online were £17 but £15 for members, which was £1 more for members than the recent games against Pirates, Nottingham and Scottish. Perhaps Cambridge were seen as more attractive opposition !

For over £65s and students it was also £1 higher at £15 but it was still £3 for Under 16s. Prices at the gate were £19 for adults and £16 for members. Under 10s were allowed in for free.

An online programme had been produced in advance of today’s game. In the Chairman’s notes it was stated that Chinnor will at least break-even this season, which is pretty rare in the top two divisions of English rugby.

Cambridge made one change to the XV that started against Ampthill with Iestyn Rees replacing Joe Gaffan in the back row. Starters Joshua Skelcey, Sam Hanks, Matt Hema, Joe Tarrant, Kayde Sylvester, George Bretag-Norris and Ben Brownlie would all be making their last appearances in the Blood and Sand shirt ( or the away equivalent ! ), as would substitutes Morgan Vaness and Ollie Betterbridge.

Chinnor made one change to the side that lost at Bedford, with lock Dan Cooke coming in for his first start of the season, replacing George Shaw, who appeared to be playing for Ealing Trailfinders today. Captain Willie Ryan announced his retirement during the week, and so would be playing his final match.

Chinnor had also announced that Max Clementson was retiring and Alfie North was moving abroad. The move of Keston Lines to Coventry was confirmed, and that Australian full-back Will Feeney would be joining Ealing. Feeney had been outstanding this season until getting injured in January, ironically against Ealing.

Cambridge were in a change kit of blue shirts with black shirts and socks, whilst Chinnor were in their usual black and white hoops.

Match Report

Cambridge kicked off towards the Showground end with the breeze at their backs. Scrum-half Luke Carter’s clearing kick was charged down by Bretag-Norris but full-back Nick Smith gathered and made a break outside of his 22. Carter then made a break from a ruck to get into the Cambridge half but a knock on at a ruck gave the scrum to Cambridge. Cambridge were awarded a free-kick at the scrum, but unfortunately for them, their kick went dead to give Chinnor a scrum on half-way.

Chinnor forced a penalty at the scrum and kicked into the Cambridge 22. The line-out was won by Cooke, but it was untidy and prop Rob Hardwick cleaned up possession. Chinnor attacked to the right and then to the left, and wing Kieran Goss was able to touchdown out wide. Nathan Chamberlain added an excellent conversion from close to the touchline to make it 7-0 after 7 minutes.

Shortly after the restart, Slyvester won a lineout for Cambridge but number 8 Ben Adams knocked on in midfield. However, Cambridge were awarded a scrum, presumably for a knock-on by Chinnor earlier in the move.

The Cambridge scrum was going backwards but the referee deemed this was due to something illegal by the Chinnor pack, and awarded a penalty to the visitors, which was kicked to 5 metres from the Chinnor line. Rees claimed the lineout for Cambridge and after several drives by the Cambridge forwards, Chinnor were offside at a ruck. Cambridge had a penalty in front of the posts 8 metres out but they opted for a scrum.

The Chinnor pack produced a good shove but Cambridge were able to get the ball away and centre Matt Hema was able to dive over the whitewash. Full-back Cavan add the extras to take the score to 7-7 with 14 minutes played.

Cambridge kicked the restart back to the Chinnor 22, where Smith kicked for a lineout on the Chinnor 10 metre line. Cambridge smartly threw to prop Zac Nearchou at the front of the line-out but the chip ahead by scrum-half Pete White was overhit and rolled dead in the in-goal area.

Chinnor had a scrum on their 10-metre line and were awarded a free-kick. Carter took a quick tap, leading to a break by lock Cooke, whose inside pass was well caught by Carter, who raced under the posts. Chamberlain added the easy extras to make the score 14-7 with 18 minutes played.

After the restart was kicked off for a line-out, a chip ahead by Cambridge fly-half Tarrant looked to have put centre Hanks clear, but the referee’s whistle’s took play back for a penalty to the visitors. The move was presumably negated by a knock-on earlier in the move.

Bretag-Norris, who was to have an impressive game at the lineout for Cambridge, won the lineout inside the Chinnor 22 but after several Cambridge attacks, they dropped the ball in midfield, enabling Chamberlain to pick-up, and then wisely pass to the speedy Carter, who ran 60 metres to the tryline and touch down under the posts. Chamberlain added the extras for Chinnor to lead 21-7 with 21 minutes on the clock.

Shortly after the restart, Chinnor won turnover ball and Carter launched a high kick which wing Grant Hughes was able to claim. Chinnor spread play to the left and Goss was tackled after making ground deep into the Cambridge half. Chamberlain’s grubber kick was gathered by Cambridge wing Matt Williams close to his tryline, but Chinnor’s attackers infringed in trying to regain possession.

The Cambridge lineout after the penalty was thrown too long and hooker Walker gathered for Chinnor, who launched a backs move, and an inside pass set-up Hughes to dive over the line with two Cambridge defenders hanging on to him. Chamberlain again converted so Chinnor now led 28-7 after 29 minutes.

Cambridge looked to quickly hit back and Tarrant’s smart chip ahead needed to be bundled into touch by Smith before Hanks could capitalise, but the referee brought play back for an earlier infringement by Chinnor, and Cambridge had a 5 metre lineout. Charles Friend secured the lineout ball and prop Nearchou barged over. Despite Cambridge scoring the try, Chinnor lock Scott Hall was shown a yellow card for illegally trying to prevent the score, and Cavan added the conversion to take the score to 28-14 with 33 minutes played.

Shortly after the restart, Chinnor centre James Bourton made a strong break through the heart of the Cambridge defence and a pass to Goss enabled the South African wing to cross in the corner for his second try of the game. Chamberlain added a fantastic conversion for close to the touchline so Chinnor now lead 35-14 after 36 minutes.

Carter caught the restart but kicked straight out to give Cambridge a lineout close to the Chinnor 22. Chinnor stole the line-out but play was scrappy and Cambridge eventually won a lineout on the Chinnor 10 metre line. However, Friend knocked forward at the lineout and Chinnor released Goss who made ground into the Cambridge half. Cambridge won turnover ball but spoilt it with a knock-on in midfield.

Chinnor had a scrum on half-way and won a penalty to kick into the Cambridge 22. Cooke won the lineout for Chinnor and the rolling maul rumbled towards the Cambridge try-line but was stopped short. Chinnor launched several drives but Cambridge scrum-half White intercepted a probable try-scoring pass and looked to have a 90-metre run to the Chinnor try-line but the referee blew his whistle for a penalty, having been playing an advantage for Chinnor.

Chinnor kicked to 5 metres, and after winning the lineout, hooker Alun Walker was put clear to trundle over the try-line. Surprisingly the conversion from Chamberlain slide wide of the far post, but Chinnor now lead 40-14 as the referee blew for half-time.

Cambridge made a lively start to the second half, stealing possession at a ruck after the referee indicated the ball was indeed out, but their kick deep into the Chinnor half was run back by Harry Dugmore, and after Chinnor reworked possession, Ryan’s burst enabled an offload to Bourton, who chose to decline the support from Hall and score himself despite the attentions of the covering defender. Chamberlain was again successful from the tee to take the score to 47-14 after 42 minutes.

Chinnor were judged to be offside after a high Cambridge kick was knocked back by Hughes. Cambridge kicked into the Chinnor 22 and Friend won the lineout, and with a penalty advantage Cambridge spread wide only to be thwarted by an interception catch by Goss. The referee took play back to the earlier offence, and Cambridge were camped on the 5 metre line. Their rolling maul was successful and hooker Brownlie was credited with the try. Cavan’s attempted conversion slide wide of the uprights. It was now 47-19 after 47 minutes.

The restart was dropped by Cambridge but it was deemed to have gone backwards. White’s attempted clearance was charged down by Hall, who ran on to gather and score close to the posts. Again Chamberlain added the easy extras, as Chinnor extended their lead to 54-19 after 49 minutes.

Chinnor substitute Callum Pascoe was shown a yellow card less than a minute after entering the field of play, as the referee determined he was the most guilty of being offside from a Cambridge attack. The visitors kicked to close to 5 metres, and their efficient lineout and rolling maul moves led to Brownlie again scoring from close range. However, the conversion from Cavan was caught in the win and sailed past the upright. The score had move to 54-24 with 51 minutes played and Cambridge now had a try bonus point.

Willie Ryan stole a Cambridge lineout but substitute Will Cave knocked on in midfield. Cambridge then had a dangerous attack with a 3 on 1, but a fabulous tackle by Smith on Cavan ended the move, and Chinnor won possession.

Ryan was penalised at a ruck on the Chinnor 22, and White kicked Cambridge to 5 metres. Again, the efficient Cambridge rolling maul was successful, this time Sylvester was credited with the try. Cavan again failed from the tee, so the score moved to 54-29 after 59 minutes.

Shortly after, Chinnor attacked from a lineout on the Cambridge 10 metre line but Chinnor were awarded a penalty, which took them deep inside the Cambridge 22. Cooke won the lineout and the Chinnor pack rumbled over, with substitute Will Cave credited with the touchdown. Chamberlain again added the two points from the tee. Chinnor now lead 61-29 after 64 minutes.

Cambridge were still looking for some tries for respectability and Bretag-Norris again won lineout ball from which Cambridge won a penalty at a ruck to take them deep inside the Chinnor 22. However, the throw was too long and Pascoe gathered for the home side and kicked back into the Cambridge 22. The visitors attacked and an acrobatic offload from Hema gave Cambridge a good attacking position. Chinnor’s defence was good but the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors.

Shortly after, Skelcey was tackled short of the Chinnor line, but Vaness was on hand to pick up and dive over for a try against his former club. Cavan again missed from the tee, so the score was now 61-34 with 68 minutes played.

Cambridge went in search of another try but after Tarrant’s cute chip ahead for Hema, Carter was able to gather and kick deep into the Cambridge 22, where a lucky bounce put Cavan under pressure, but the full-back was able to clear to the 10 metre line.

Cooke won the lineout for Chinnor, Passman burst through three flimsy tackles, and his offload gave Pascoe an easy run under the posts. Smith added the extras so the score become 68-34 with 73 minutes played.

There was still time for Cambridge to cough-up possession in midfield, and at the subsequent ruck, Carter made a snipping break, chipped over the covering defender, gathered the bouncing ball and strolled under the posts. Smith again converted to take the score to 75-34 after 76 minutes.

From another Cambridge attack, the Blood and Sand knocked on for Carter to pounce and canter over the line for his fourth try of the game. With the conversion in front of the posts, flanker Alfie North was allowed to take the kick in his final appearance for Chinnor, and he added the two points. The referee blew the final whistle to signal an 82-34 victory for Chinnor to bring an end to entertaining game that featured 18 tries !

Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY7P4bIO7Vs 

 

 

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

May 26, 2025

Surrey ( 123 all out ) beat Oxfordshire ( 112 for 8 ) by 11 runs.

The NCAA Showcase serves as an opportunity for the Minor Counties to have a fixture against a First-Class County. Last season it was used as a preparation for the Counties ahead of their Metro Bank 50 over competition but there appears to be a different emphasis this year. Instead, rather than all the games being played over the same weekend, fixtures are now spread over the year at random dates, with some being T20 fixtures and others being 50 over games.

Last year Oxfordshire played Middlesex at Thame. Middlesex fielded a pretty strong side, with only 2 players who hadn't played in the 1st XI up to that point, and included 7 of the side that Fatbear had seen play against Sussex earlier in the year. In an entertaining afternoon, Middlesex won by 118 runs, but in other games Cheshire beat Derbyshire, Lincolnshire beat Nottinghamshire and Buckinghamshire beat Leicestershire.

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2024/07/oxfordshire-cc-vs-cheshire-cc-att-200.html 

This season Oxfordshire had been allocated a game against Surrey, with the game again being played at Thame, on the Bank Holiday Monday at the end of May. Unfortunately, Surrey were also playing a four-day County game against Essex on that day, and three Surrey players had played for England against Zimbabwe, so the Surrey website listed the match as a 2nd XI game. That seemed to be a little insulting, and rather against the whole point of the Showcase games, but would increase the chances of an upset !

Also, unlike last year when there was a healthy number of Middlesex supporters who made the journey to Thame to watch their side, it was unlikely there would be many Surrey members coming to Thame when they could be watching their side at The Oval.

That all said, if Surrey gave a game to their T20 stars who do not play red ball cricket eg Jordan, The Currans, Overton, Topley, Evans and maybe Roy etc they will still have a side worth watching !

Oxfordshire CCC

The 12 man squad name for the game only contained 5 survivors from the team that took to the field last year against Middlesex, namely Luke Hayes, Hayden Roussow, George Tait, Tom Davis and Dylan Driscoll.

Tait, who plays his club cricket for Banbury, scored 53 against Middlesex last year, and South African born Hayden Rossouw, now playing for Aston Rowant, had scored 93 for Oxfordshire in 2021 against a Sussex attack that included Jofra Archer, James Coles and Travis Head.

Aston Rowant also provided two other players, in 19 year-old Hayes and brother of Hayden, Tristan Roussow, whilst Arjun Ramkumar was another representative from Banbury.

There were two notable names in the Oxfordshire squad. Zach Lion-Cachet, who had progressed last season from Oxfordshire to Sussex to becoming a full Dutch international ( 7 ODIs and 4 T20s ) and  had scored 78 early this month in an ODI against Scotland. Opening bat Harrison Ward had played 38 T20 matches for Sussex with a strike rate of 143, including 13 games last year, and had been a member of ECB T10 sides that had played in various competitions against European countries.

Of the rest of the squad, Oliver Armstrong plays for Oxford Downs, Tahmid Ahmed plays for Weston-super-Mare, Jacob Townsend plays for Leicestershire club Kibworth, and Davis plays for Warwickshire club Knowle and Dorridge.

On the day of the game, Oxfordshire made one change to their squad, with Rahul Tangirala replacing Harrison Ward. Tangirala had played one match for Sussex 2^nd XI in 2023 and plays his club cricket for Sussex club Three Bridges, a side Fatbear had played against in the late 1970s !

Surrey CCC

Surrey have won the last three County Championships, and 22 in total. Last August, Fatbear went to The Oval to watch the first day of Surrey versus Lancashire as Surrey continued their march to the title and Lancashire their slump to relegation.

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2024/08/surrey-vs-lancashire-att-3000-est-2024.html 

In 2024 Surrey won their NCAA Showcase game against Cambridgeshire by 15 runs on DLS in a rain affected game and also had a rain affected game against Suffolk in 2023, which was won by 101 runs under DLS.

The Surrey XI for today’s game had only four recognisable names to Fatbear. Captain and left-arm spinner Yousef Majid had played one County Championship game but had been a regular in their List A fixtures last season. 37 year-old opening bat Laurie Walker had played for Sussex and Warwickshire and had scored 6 first-class centuries, but was now a specialist in T20 tournaments and was still playing in Australia’s Big Bash tournament.

Fast medium bowler Matt Dunn was now 32 but after a career in all formats was now seen as a white-ball specialist, whilst wicket-keeper Josh Blake had also played one first-class match plus 20 List A and 2 T20 games for Surrey, scoring a century against Essex.

The Surrey line-up included two England Under 19 players, all-rounder Ralphie Albert and medium pacer Alex French.

Of the other players in the XI, batsman Adam Thomas had played two List A matches and fast-bowler Nathan Barnwell had played one first-class match and 8 List A. Oliver Hunt, Oliver Pascall and Jack Martin had only played for the Surrey 2^nd XI.

Matchday Information

After nearly two months with barely any rain, the weather at the 14.00 start time was grey and overcast, and the forecast had the threat of some light rain later in the afternoon. A strong breeze was present, and it felt colder than the 15 degrees temperature.

Entrance was free, Fish and Chips and ice cream vans were in attendance for food, and the clubhouse bar was open. 

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

A tannoy announcer gave updates at the end of each over and the fall of wickets. He sounded suspiciously like the announcer in a Midsomer Murders episode I’d seen last week when there were murders at a T10 tournament, which was filmed not far away at the Wormsley Cricket Ground in Stokenchurch !

Surrey Innings

I arrived at the ground just in time to see Oxfordshire wicket-keeper Townsend make a diving catch to dismiss Laurie Evans off the bowling of Haydon Roussow after Evans had gone fishing outside his off-stump. Evans was out for 18 with the score 37-2 in the 5^th over. With his first ball of his over Roussow had induced a leading edge from Surrey’s opener Josh Blake to give a simple catch to Ahmed. After a flying start, Oxfordshire had pegged back Surrey start with two wickets.

Left-hand bat Oliver Hunt was in at number 4 for Surrey and got off the mark with a dab into the offside as Surrey finished the 5^th over at 38 for 2.

Zach Lion-Cachet was brought on to bowl his off-breaks for the 6 over, going around the wicket to Hunt, who got off the mark with an off-drive, which was well stopped by the diving Tait to restrict Hunt to just one run. Three runs came off the over as Surrey moved to 41 for 2 off 6 overs.

Roussow continued and fizzed a quick ball past the outside edge of Hunt through to the wicket-keeper with the batsman beaten all ends up. Hunt managed to dab the second ball of the over into the off-side, and after some hesitancy, the batsmen were able to take a single. Off the final ball of the over, Hunt danced down the wicket and launched a huge six out of the ground over deep mid-wicket into a house on the opposite side of the road for what some people described as the biggest six they had seen at the ground. It ruined an otherwise tidy over from Roussow who was now 2 for 12 off 2 over. The score was now 50 for 2 from 7 overs.

Lion-Cachet continued from the Town end, and a lovely delivery yorked Hunt, who was out bowled for 11 runs off 9 balls, taking the score to 51 for 3 off 7.2 overs.

Ralphie Albert came in at number 5 for Surrey and got off the mark with the second ball faced with a steer behind backward point for two. Four runs came off the over with the score 55 for 3 off 8 overs.

Dylan Driscoll replaced Roussow bowling medium pace from a long run, and Albert nearly played on from his first ball. The second ball nearly offered a return catch. After a couple of singles and a leg-side wide, Albert lofted a clip off his legs straight to deep square leg where Hayes made a decent catch on the run coming in from the boundary. Albert was out for 4 and Surrey were now 58 for 4 from 8.5 overs.

At this point a few drops of light rain started to fall, but fortunately the rain only stayed for a couple of minutes, and there was no risk of play being stopped.

Ollie Pascall was the number 6 for Surrey and steered his first ball towards backward point, but a good piece of fielding prevented any runs.

Lion-Cachet continued and was flighting the ball nicely inviting the drive, and four singles came from his over as the score progressed to 62 for 4 at the half-way mark. Lion-Cachet had figures of 1 for 12 from 3 overs.

Driscoll’s second over began with a leg-side wide, after which Pascall came down the wicket to drive straight past the bowler for a boundary. Good fielding on the boundary continued to keep Surrey to singles rather than twos but 11 still came from the over as Surrey moved to 73 for 4 from 11 overs.

A mis-field from Tait allowed three runs for Thomas from the first ball of Lion-Cachet’s final over. Pascall was attempting to play reverse sweeps, one of which produced a leg-bye whilst another went through to the wicket-keeper. At the end of the over, Lion-Cachet had finished his four overs with figures of 1 for 16, as the score was now 80 for 4 from 12 overs, with Thomas on 17 and Pascall on 9.

Oxfordshire captain Tait came on to replace Driscoll with his off-spin, bowling around the wicket to Thomas, who drove the first ball for the point boundary for a single. Tait went back over the wicket and saw Pascall club the ball straight to Lion-Cachet at deep mid-wicket. Pascall was out for 9 and Surrey had slumped to 81 for 5 off 12.2 overs.

Captain Majid was in at number 7 and the left-handed bat immediately played a lovely drive but was denied a good stop at extra cover. However, Majid got off the mark next ball with a back-footed push off his legs. Four runs came from the over and it was now 84 for 5 off 13 overs.

Luke Hayes replaced Lion-Cachet with his medium pace and Majid drove the first ball nicely for a single. Thomas then played a steer behind point which was only partially stopped and the batsmen were able to run three. Majid then played a crunching extra cover drive, but good fielding kept it to just a single rather than a boundary. At the end of the over the score had moved to 89 for 5 from 14 overs.

Driscoll returned but a long hop was swiped to the boundary by Thomas, who then milked a two, then a single. Majid was surprised by some extra bounce, but was able to get over the ball with his defensive shot, and was able to run a quick single. It was now 100 for 5 from 15 overs. Thomas had progressed to 31.

Ahmed replaced Hayes, with quite a long run up but with an unusual action, looking a lot like a right-handed version of Paul Adams, and appeared to be bowling leg-breaks and googlies. After a tidy start, Majid surprisingly chipped to long-on where Lion-Cachet took an easy catch. Majid was out for 7 and Surrey were now 102 for 6 from 15.4 overs.

Nathan Barnwell was the new batsman and there was huge appeal for a caught behind after a first ball play and miss, but the umpire was unmoved. Just two runs had been scored from Ahmed’s first over.

Opening bowler Tom Davis returned to bowl his brisk medium pace and a cross batted swipe and good running saw Thomas add two runs to the total. Barnwell got off the mark with a tap from which they were able to run two, but Thomas mistimed a leg-side chip, which went straight to Driscoll at deep square leg. Thomas had to go for the top score of 35 from 33 balls, and Surrey were 108 for 7 from 16.5 overs.

Dunn was the new batsman, and smacked his first ball straight down the ground but good fielding from the bowler restricted the runs to just a single.

Three singles came from the first three balls of Ahmed’s second over, but Barnwell then played all around a straight ball and lost his middle stump. Barnwell was out for 4 and the score was now 112 of 8 from 17.4 overs.

Number 10 Alex French saw out the end of the over with two dot balls. Dunn hit the second ball of the 17 over from Davis to long-off for a single, but the next ball was too quick from French and clipped the top of off-stump. French was out for a duck and Surrey were now 113 for 9 from 18.3 overs.

Number 11 Jack Martin got off the mark by guiding a short ball to short third man for a single after which Dunn powered to long-on for two more. A push off his legs onto pad made the score 117 for 9 from 19 overs.

Dunn showed respectful defence to the first ball from Ahmed but then charged down the wicket and a thin outside edge prevented him from being stumped, and gave Dunn four more runs as the ball sped away to the boundary.

Two more singles were taken but Dunn’s lofted straight drive saw Tait move around the long-off boundary to take a smart catch. Dunn was dismissed for 12, Martin was left 2 not out and Surrey had been dismissed for 123 from 19.5 overs.

Thomas had been the only batsman to amass more than 20 runs for Surrey, making 35, whilst for Oxfordshire, Ahmed had finished with 3 for 11 from 3.5 overs, Roussow had 2 for 12 from two overs and Davis 2 for 35 from 4 overs. Surrey had been restricted to just 6 fours and one six in their innings, and the impressive fielding by the youthful Oxfordshire side had kept a lot of scoring shots to ones rather than twos.

Oxfordshire Innings

Light drizzled started to fall during the interval, but thankfully had ceased by the teams came out for the second innings.

Captain Majid opened the bowling for Surrey with his left-arm orthodox spin, and Tangirala and Lion-Cachet were watchful, taking just two singles from the first over.

Dunn opened at the other end with his medium pace and a half-track loosener was despatched by Lion-Cachet to the cover boundary. The next ball was steered for two behind point, but Dunn responded with a fine delivery inducing a play and miss outside off-stump. The fifth ball of the over was squeezed to point and the batsmen took a quick single, although Tangirala might have been in trouble had the throw been a direct hit. Tangirala played and missed at the final delivery of the other so the score was 9 for 0 off 2 overs.

Majid took himself off after just one over, and French took over, bowling fast medium. Lion-Cachet played too soon with an attempted pull shot, but then drove uppishly through the covers between two motionless fielders for a boundary, to gasps from most of the Surrey side. An elegant steer to third man yielded two more for the Dutch International, and when French pitched up, Lion-Cachet drove extravagantly over extra cover for a one bounce boundary. However, Zion-Cachet had some luck when an attempted hook shot sailed high into the air but neither the bowler or the wicket-keeper could make the ground to make the catch. Ten had come from the over, and Oxfordshire had progressed to 19 for 0 from 3 overs.

Tangirala charged down the wicket to Dunn but missed with his ugly swipe and the ball went through to the wicket-keeper. The next-ball found the inside edge and narrowly missed the leg stump and Tangirala was called through for a quick single, but again had the throw at the bowlers’ end been a direct hit it would have been close.

Lion-Cachet again mis-timed an attempted pull to a short delivery, but then played a delightful late cut to send the ball flying to the third man boundary. The score had moved to 25 for 0 after 4 overs with Lion-Cachet having scored 23 of them.

Surrey made another bowling change, as Barnwell replaced French, charging in from a long distance with a bustling run. His second delivery found some bounce, clipped the gloves of Lion-Cachet, and Blake took a routine catch. Lion-Cachet had scored 23 runs from 19 balls and Oxfordshire were now 25 for 1 off 4.2 overs.

Left-hander Hayden Roussow was in at number three, and his first ball saw an unconvincing shot to a short ball go high into the leg side, but fortunately for Roussow, into a gap to get off the mark. After a wide, Tangirala played tip and run, but another missed throw from the Surrey fielders saw the Tangirala add another single to his total. The next ball from Barnwell kept low and went under Roussow’s attempted prod but missed the off-stump, and Blake failed to gather cleanly. At the end of the over it was 28 for 1 from 5 overs.

French was brought back at the other end, and struck Tangirala on the gloves, leading to another quick single being scampered. Roussow’s back-foot pull resulted in a leg-bye, then Tangirala’s attempted hook shot sailed over Dunn at short fine leg and bounced away for Tangirala’s first boundary. At the final ball of the over, Tangirala strangely ran across his stumps to play an extravagant pull to the leg side, but the ball flew over the top of the stumps to the wicket-keeper. It was now 35 for 1 from 6 overs.

Barnwell continued and Roussow produced a lovely cover drive but good fielding on the boundary restricted it two just two runs. Singles were flowing until Rossouw hooked fine for six. After a delay whilst there was a search for the ball in the bushes, with Barnwell still testing the middle of the wicket, Rossouw ended the over with another shot behind square but only for a single. Oxfordshire had progressed to 47 for 1 after 7 overs.

With a squadron of Red Kites now circulating in the sky above the ground, Ralphie Albert was brought on to bowl some left-arm spin. The batsmen were content to milk singles, and 6 runs came from the over, taking the score to 53 for 1 from 8 overs.

Martin replaced Barnwell and with no-one saving one on the leg-side, 7 more runs were safely added to the total and at 60 for 1 after 9 overs, Oxfordshire appeared to be cruising.

Albert’s second over was much more testing, with Roussow only able to push just one run, Oxfordshire were now 61 for 1 off 10 overs, with the par score being 59.

Martin beat Roussow outside off-stump before a long-hop was despatched to the leg side for a one bounce boundary. Another stylish shot through the covered brought another single for Roussow, and following another single to Tangirala, Roussow pulled another long hop for two. Oxfordshire were now 69 for 1 from 11 overs, with Roussow on 25 and Tangirala on 16.

Albert was still keeping in tight at the other end though, conceding just two singles and Albert now had figures of 0 for 9 from 3 overs.

Majid brought himself back into the attack and was greeted by a splendid cover drive from Roussow for one more, and Tangirala tapped another quick single. After being beaten outside his off-stump, Roussow inexplicably stepped outside his off stump looking to slog to the leg side, only to miss and be bowled leg stump. A fine innings had ended with a poor shot, and Roussow had to walk back to the pavilion having scored 27 runs from 31 balls. Oxfordshire were now 73 for 2 from 12.4 overs.

Dylan Driscoll was in a number 4 and played out two dot balls to finish the over. Oxfordshire needed 51 runs from 7 overs with 8 wickets standing, which normally would be a routine win.

Driscoll’s fine glance broke the shackles with another boundary, and 7 came from the over, and the score moved to 80 for 2 after 14 overs. Albert’s tidy spell finished with 0 for 16 from his 4 overs.

44 were now needed from 6 overs. The pressure must have got to Tangirala, who stepped away to the leg side but missed with his swipe to off, and was bowled by Majid. He was out for 20 runs from 30 balls and it was 80 for 3 from 14.1 overs.

Arjun Ramkumar was in at number 5 and only one run was added from Majid’s over. Oxfordshire’s target had become 43 runs from 5 overs.

Dunn was back to bowl the 16 over and Ramkumar pulled a short ball to the leg side boundary, but a combination of good fielding and slack running resulted in only a single. A controlled edge from Driscoll sent the ball speeding over the third man boundary but he followed this with a meek chip to extra cover to be dismissed for 9, Thomas taking the catch. The score was now 86 for 4 from 15.3 overs.

Captain George Tait was the number 6 and two singles from the rest of the over took Oxfordshire to 88 for 4, and 36 were needed from 4 overs.

Majid continued, and after Ramkumar took a single, Tait chipped a return caught and bowled to be dismissed for 1. It was now 89 for 5

Luke Hayes was the number 7 but another soft dismissal followed, lamely playing the ball into his pad, and keeper Blake made ground to make the diving catch to dismiss Hayes for a two-ball duck. Oxfordshire had now subsided to 89 for 6 and Majid had taken 4 for 6 !

Jacob Townsend was in at number 8, and two singles finished the over. Majid finished with the sensational figures of 4 for 8 from his 4 overs, and Oxfordshire were 91 for 6, now needing 33 runs from 3 overs.

Dunn was spraying the ball around, with a leg side ball clipped by Ramkumar for two, a short ball was clubbed over mid-on for two, then another short ball was bashed over long-on for four. However, Ramkumar smacked a rank long-hop wide outside off stump only to see the ball fly straight to Pascall who took a regulation catch on the cover boundary. Ramkumar had to go after scoring 13 in 12 balls and the score was now 99 for 7 after 17.4 overs.

Tristan Roussow was the new batsmen, and two singles from the final two balls took Oxfordshire to 101 for 7 with two overs remaining, and 23 needed to win.

Barnwell returned and two pacy short balls were pushed for singles. Five more runs were added until Townsend attempted a big swing and missed and was bowled for 4. The score was now 108 for 8 and 17 runs were needed from the last over.

Tom Davis was the new batsmen and French was to bowl the final over. Neither batsman looked likely to score match-winning boundaries, and only four singles came from the last over, leaving Oxfordshire 11 runs short at 112 for 8.

After looking like being able to produce an upset victory, it was ultimately a tame finish in Thame as the Oxfordshire batsmen were unable to push on for victory against some tight bowling, especially from Majid and Albert, and some very good fielding. Indeed, in all the overs Fatbear watched, not a single catch was dropped by either side, and on a large outfield there were very few twos taken.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable three hours spent watching some entertaining cricket.