Another Win Keeps Up Promotion Push!

After skipper Richard Walker won the toss on a hot day he didn't hesitate to bat first on what was an absolute road at Stratfield Brake. Openers Andy Oliver and Simon Smith soon proved their captain right as they smashed their way to an opening stand of 153! Oliver was the aggressor in the partnership as he latched on to anything over pitched playing some beautifully timed drives down the ground and was quick to pull anything short on a flat wicket offering nothing to the bowlers. Smith was going along nicely at other end and as he too played some textbook drives as the pair both passed their half centuries. As the score passed 150, Smith was the first wicket to fall as he was caught off the bowling of Belcher trying to accelerate the score further! Edd Willmot joined Oliver in the middle but when Oliver was out shortly after, being run out backing up as Willmott drove straight only for the bowler to tip the ball on to the stumps, KCC needed to not put to waste their opening partnership. Chris East and Willmot made sure that KCC got the runs required on this wicket with the pair adding 85 runs. Willmott played the ball around the park maneuvering the field well, whilst East was in top form finding the boundary straight down the ground on many occasions. Willmott was looking assured as he began finding the boundary with some well timed flicks and drives before passing his half century in the 44th over! East lost his wicket just short of his half century as he tried to add as many runs to the total leaving Richard Walker to join Willmott for the last over as KCC finished on a very respectable 284/4 from their 45 overs!

After a brilliant KCC tea, Kidlington went out looking to defend their total knowing that batting could be easy on such a good wicket! Dan Farrant and Litten opened and both began well, the pair built early pressure inside the first 6 overs but when Redhead was dropped by Oliver from Littens bowling, he went on the counter attack, playing a mix of shots from the bowling as Dorchester raced to 60 inside 10 overs. Tom Bozman and Edd Willmott replaced both openers and bowled superbly in tandem as they pulled the game back in KCCs favour! After Redhead had raced to 50, Bozman had him out immediately with a quick delivery that was well caught behind the stumps by Walker! Willmott then took the wicket of Graney, before removing Rudling with a beautiful turning delivery! KCC were well in control and when Bozman took the wicket of Line, Dorchester were struggling on 98/4 in the 27th over. Kitson came in and offered some resistance for Dorchester as he played his shots finding the boundary with anything over pitched! McComb was still in after opening and passed his 50 in the 35th over. Christian Blackford and Chris Graham both came on to bowl but had little luck before Walker returned to Litten and Farrant. Litten removed McComb having his caught by Farrant at deep fine leg, before Farrant took KCCs final wicket bowling Duglade as Dorchester finished on 187/6 as KCC secured victory by 97 runs and further strengthened their push for promotion!