2nd X1 Fall at the first Hurdle for the 3rd Year running!

Overcast conditions and a wet uncovered wicket at Brill meant that the toss, as so often in early season,would be really crucial. Unfortunately Sam Rodway, stepping up to Captain, lost it and Kidlington were asked to bat.
Almost at once the visitors fell foul of the pitch with it's slow low bounce as Ralph Bishop(0) was bowled by a low one from Darren Kavanagh. Nick Jeacock(2), a centurion last week felt that attack would be the best form of defence but managed only one hit over the top before Kavanagh bowled him too. So at 7-2 in the 5th over Kidlington had lost two of their three big guns and were in some strife. Graham Eagle(9) would be there other main hope of a big score but although he had already driven Nick Judd through the covers to the fence he repeatedly found himself digging out low skidding deliveries and was forced to reign in many of his favoured shots. The accurate Judd(0-22) and the even more accurate Kavanagh(4-10) bowled right through their spells,with scoring proving very difficult. Martin Eagle(15)was now at the crease and chose to lunge forward at every opportunity in an attempt to negate the low bounce and hope for an odd bad ball,of which he put away three, as the pair chose to see off the new ball and consolidate before a hoped for counter attack against the back up bowlers.
The score rose to 30-2 but the overs were ticking by when Graham Eagle was caught and bowled attempting to hit Kavanagh, in his 11th over, back over his head as the ball died on the pitch. Martin Eagle perished in Kavanagh's final over when propping forward one too many times to a ball that bounced more and Mansfield took the catch at silly point. So although the main bowlers were now bowled out, the main batsmen were also back in the hutch and 24overs were used up.
It would now be up to Captain and all rounder Sam Rodway to guide the innings, along with the lower order batsmen. As hoped, the back up bowlers were of a far lower standard but the pitch was certainly no better. The Kidlington lower order were all to play their part but the pitch would have the last laugh. Rodway(15) managed a lofted drive to long on and some well worked singles before a ball from Andy Parke(2-37)got under his bat. Paul Hewitt(12) partnered the skipper to good effect but chipped a catch to cover as the ball again died on the pitch. Ben Jackson(4-36) the successful bowler but his figures flattered him on this slow low pudding of a track.
The best partnership for Kidlington saw Mike Tippett(26) with licence to attack, launch into Jackson with 1x4 and 2x6 while Chris Graham(14)had a scratchy start on the difficult surface before carving a couple of boundries through the off side. Tippett was finally well caught by Parke on the fence at mid-wicket and Graham was bowled by Parke, again undone by slowness of the pitch. This too did for Nasir Mohammed(0) first ball and Ran De Silva(6) at the death as both chipped catches off Jackson with Craig Rogers(4 not out) as the lower order got the score up to 110.

After a really excellent tea Kidlington hoped to get some early wickets on a still wet wicket but frankly never got into any kind of rhythm in what would be a poor bowling performance.
In fairness Brill had the advantage of knowing the pitch well and that only a small score was required but the same was true in the recent league match at Stratfield Brake where early wickets and pressure saw them fail to chase 114! This time the bowlers sprayed it around and Andy Parke(54)took full advantage with a fine innings featuring some positive footwork and crisp hitting. While at the other end John Fitsell(25) was able to drop anchor and pick off some wide long hops and full tosses as Nasir Mohammed(0-13) Mike Tippett(0-19)and Craig Rogers(0-17) all struggled. 66-0 went a long way towards winning the match before Sam Rodway(1-17) introduced himself and found the edge of Fitsell's bat with Martin Eagle pouching the catch at slip. Parke was needlessly run out by Nick Judd(10 not out) and Nick Jeacock(1-30) took some tap before bowling Elliot Bevan(1) with a good ball that turned. Only time for one over from De Silva(0-4) and one ball from Chris Graham which Jerry Mansfield(13 not out) despatched to the mid-wicket fence to record a comfortable win for Brill!