Fighting performance from Kidlington against an excellent Hook Norton team.

Fighting performance from Kidlington against an excellent Hook Norton team.

It was perfect summers day to play cricket at the delightful country cricket ground at the home of Hook Norton. Simon Smith strode out to the middle and duly won the toss and elected to bat.

Wiley, experienced head of Martin Eagle and the astute Kidlington captain Simon Smith opened the innings. They up against senior Hook Norton bowler John Weaver and a fiery 15 year old pace-bowler James Ingham. Martin Eagle and Simon Smith carefully saw off a couple of overs before Weaver got a plumb LBW against Martin Eagle. It was a shame as Martin Eagle had been in great form for all season and Kidlington needed him at the crease. Ranjan de Silva joined Simon Smith for an excellent century partnership. Both hitting a few boundaries on the way. Just as Kidlington was getting on top the ever reliable Simon was caught out. Ranjan de Silva was hit on the helmet from unintentional but fast beamer from the young paceman James Ingham. Ranjan de Silva carried on for another couple of couple of balls with a sore head and a bruised bicep but was caught pulling the next ball. Josh Swaddling and Mark Kimber both got themselves out cheaply. A determined Lauren Smith with the help of Harry Brock put a staunch partnership to steady the Kidlington innings from collapsing. Both Lauren Smith and Harry Brock hit lovely boundaries before Harry Brock was caught out. Lauren continued to hold the innings together, but at the other end wickets fell. Sam Kimber was caught out hitting a lofted off drive. Unfortunately neither Joseph Keighery or Baiju Saleem managed to trouble the scorers.

Finally Kidlington innings came to a close with the score on 145 for 9 with Lauren Smith 10 not out and Oscar Hewitt 0 not out. The Hook Norton bowling was excellent. Swing bowling of John Weaver was well supported by Pacey trio of young fast bowlers. Hook Norton fielding from both their young and old players was superb throughout, which made getting runs tricky for Kidlington.

After a pleasant tea, Hook Norton started their innings. Initially Kidlington looked to have a chance to restrict Hook Norton to a low score too. Both Ranjan de Silva and Young Oscar Hewitt bowled tightly. Ranjan de Silva finished a tidy 12 over spell taking 3 wickets for 40 runs. Salem Baiju took the other wicket to fall. Hook Norton’s young star all-rounder James Ingham then carted the Kidlington bowlers to all part the ground and finished the game with experience Grant Wallis for company. The game was played in excellent spirit by both teams at all times.

This was much improved performance from a young Kidlington team batting of Lauren Smith and Harry Brock showed promise. It was also pleasing to see the creditable performance of Oscar Hewitt with his bowling. We still have some work to do particularly to improve our ground fielding. Josh Swaddling keeping behind the wicket for the very first time was brave and also took a good catch.