Super 8s get over the line...just!

Our first super 8s game of the season saw a mixed team of four experienced players from last year's under 11s alongside four of our new players. Everyone did themselves proud, our experienced players doing a great job of coaching our newer members, all rising to the occasion on what was a very chilly evening.

Kidlington won the toss and co-captains Neil Talmaki and Sam Fransham chose to field first. The captains bowled the first four overs, Sam taking two wickets and Neil one. It was tough to bowl straight with a stiff wind blowing across the pitch, but everyone did a great job - Thomas Lord and Tom Rochford looking especially promising in the field in their first match, with some fast, straight bowling and good throws in from the deep. Challow & Childrey posted a challenging 253.

Lewis Bray and Neil were the opening pair, both doing a great job of soaking up the early bowling, Neil hitting four boundaries along the way. Tom Lord and Max Earp kept out some balls that were swinging in the wind without losing a wicket. Daniel Hunt continued to show his promise in winter training, showing some fine shots, and his partner Jacob Evans hit the ball around very neatly for several well run twos. The final pair Sam Fransham and Tom Rochford had just 12 runs to get. This looked comfortable to begin with due to Tom and Sam's excellent running between the wickets - but two wickets went down making it all a lot closer. When Challow & Childrey's Tanish bowled Sam on the last ball it was nail-biting - but Kidlington got over the line with one run to spare.

A really good game, which both team managers agreed was played in a great spirit. Many thanks to parents for getting everyone there and cheering the boys along. Special thanks to Simon Hunt for scoring and Mo Talmaki for sorting out kit on the boundary. Apologies that we didn't have our spare kit properly sorted - we will make sure this is all organised for the next game.

Well played everyone. The next Super 8s game is on Wednesday 16 May at home against Abingdon Vale.