2003 SEASON 1st Team

 FINAL STANDINGS

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

The season finished with a www.bodicote.com/history/ancient XI raised by Woody. His attempt to field a team made up of players who had played in the 80s only faltered when Bob Campbell cried off to replaced by new boy Mark Smith behind the stumps. Broughton lost two early wickets before their third wicket pair put on 227 in about 30 overs. Bodicote's only possible respite was if the home team ran out of balls as they were being hit out the ground with alarming regularity. In reply Bodicte slumped to 70-6 before a 7^th wicket partnership between Alan Bristow (42) and Ivan Veall (60) helped them to a respectable 220 all out. Veall's innings was not one of his lean back and biff efforts of his youth and even Colin Parfitt observed his high left elbow. The run rate was assisted by a spell of 0-37 off 4 overs (1 of which was a maiden) by Inzaman ul Smith guesting for the oppo - somehow I don't think they'll be pressing him to join.

The team plus debut season in brackets Simon Woodruff ('80), Paul Miles! ('79), Bob Lawrence ('68), Colin Thurbon ('73), Colin Parfitt ('80), Alan Bristow ('80), Dave Allen ('88), Ivan Veall ('81), Mark Smith ('96), Chris Buckingham ('86), Tony Instone ('82)

SATURDAY 30 AUGUST

CROUGHTON (119 all out- 21 pts) beat BODICOTE (111 all out - 6 pts) by 8 runs

A pretty dismal end to the campaign saw Bodicote lose at Croughton and in so doing fail to take third place from them.

Another less than prepared visit greeted the troops. Dave loss the toss Croughton chose to bat. Debutante Paul Rogers opened the bowling and took a wicket with his first ball, bowling Steve Connor. Dibby Wright fell to a Dave shooter next over but then Garrett and Hawkins took the score comfortably onto 45 before Garrett was run out after Pollard surprisingly gathered and returned the ball cleanly. Hawkins soon followed when he fell into the Rogers leg trap hitting a long hop down Dave's throat at deep backward square leg. Paul finished with good figures of 2-36 off his 12 overs Barlow entered the fray and despite his sore spinning finger quickly removed No's 6 & & to leave Croughton 51-6. Their captain Wetherill and Clive Atkins ground out a valuable 50 partnership. Dave returned to the attack and along with Barlow each took another two quick wickets each to leave Croughton all out 119. Dave ended up with 3-30 to cap a fine season with the ball, Barlow 4-31.

Having got through 39 overs in just over 2 hours the umpire wanted to reward Bodicote with a bat before tea which was dutifully rejected however once the game did restart Bodicote were soon in trouble with Inzy and Stanley out in the first over. Dave and Polly soon followed, George hit a couple of boundaries in his 12 but soon Bodicote were 40 odd for 6. Rog (20) and Steve Pratt (19) took the score up to 80 despite the lack of encouragement from the side after the Croughton scorer determinedly confiscated both horns, the second of which she bravely removed from the apparent safety of the Chairman's trousers. Cronin looked liked being the saviour as he three boundaries in an over to move the score past 100. Barlow offered support before falling LBW and on the dreaded Nelson Dave played over a straight one to be out for a good 26.

Other results

Hinton in the Hedges (152 all out – 23 pts) beat Gayton (122 all out – 6 pts) by 30 runs

Byfield (144 for 8 – 22 pts) beat Willoughby (143 all out – 6 pts) by 2 wickets

Preston Bissett (132 for 5 – 22 pts) beat Syresham (129 all out – 5 pts) by 5 wickets

Woodford Halse (192 for 7 – 24 pts) beat Greens Norton (173 all out – 6 pts) by 19 runs

SATURDAY 23 AUGUST

WILLOUGHBY (150 for 2- 23 pts) beat BODICOTE (149 all out – 3 pts) by 8 wickets

So the game that might have been the big promotion decider ended up one-way traffic. Bodicote were soon struggling at 15-3 before a 4^th wicket partnership of 83 between senior pros Graham and Woodruff turned things around. Rog went for a fine 51 which did not receive the recognition (or honking) it deserved because Barlow on scribes hadn't been counting.. So it was agreed he would be clapped on the next scoring shot - but he was bowled!. Woody made 36 but after that the innings fell away with the visitors dobby spinner ending up with five wickets. Some late hitting by Dave Cronin (26 NO) helped the score up towards respectability. The chance of an extra batting point was lost as Bucks swiped violently at the last two balls of the innings, missing both and being bowled off the last. His mental state was undoubtedly wobbly after discovering George Lawrence wearing his pants.

If 149 was to be competitive Bodicote needed to bowl and field well but unfortunately early chances went down and the visitors batting made the most of let offs. Dave finally induced an edge that Rog caught before Barlow, reminiscent of his glory hockey goalkeeping days dived athletically to deflect a straight drive off his own bowling onto the stumps to run out the non-striker. However that was as good as it got and the target was reached with 7 overs to spare with Barlow's next attempt at fielding resulting in a cut and bruised finger as an off drive fizzed to the boundary.

Willoughby, who are promoted as runners up, looked to have a batting line up capable of more than competing in the top flight but might find themselves chasing some huge scores unless their bowling is strengthened.

 Other results

Syresham (104 for 9 – 21 pts) beat Gayton (99 all out – 4 pts) by 1 wicket

Preston Bissett (238 for 8 – 25 pts) beat Woodford Halse (150 all out – 7 pts) by 88 runs

Hinton in the Hedges (159 for 4 – 22 pts) beat Croughton (158 for 8 – 5 pts) by 6 wickets

Byfield (183 for 7 – 23 pts) beat Greens Norton (155 for 9 – 6 pts) by 28 runs

SATURDAY 16 AUGUST

GAYTON (142 for 9- 22 pts) beat BODICOTE (90 all out – 4 pts) by 52 runs

Well a disastrous performance had to happen sometime. Availability being thin meant that legends from the yellowing pages of Olde Barlow's Bodicote Almanac, the brothers Parfitt were pressed into action rather than the planned weekend chez the parents. Col had played three times since his return from three years in the US and Al's last game was Woodford (A), August 1994. Still at least all our bowlers were fit ....Until Phil woke up in bed on Saturday morning complaining of a pain in the neck, no not the lovely Nicky but one that meant he was unable to bowl.

With Barlow and the two Parfitts the only BCC people at the ground at 1.50 and league supreme Derek Laud umpiring the Chair undertook the toss and not wishing to see the three man teams all out by 2.10 offered the oppo first go on the track.

When the game finally got going the decision looked a good one as Dave tore into the home team's top order. He was aided by the pitch which was undoubtedly the worst played on in years (and there were we telling the Parfitts how much the grounds had improved since their day - this was Sibford School c1980 revisited). Dave finished with five wickets and the No 3 a sore head. Bucks also bowled well until his hamstring went again and with Phil Newman not able to bowl (but he took a fine slip catch) the attack became less threatening. Barlow did bowl a nice line and aided by the pitch the odd bouncer one of which unfortunately hit Jerry behind the stumps and split his lip open but the other options tried (Towills and George) meant that Chris returned to the fray off two paces. Oh for supporter Marshall, star bowler from the 70s & 80s who was watching, to have been fit to play. .So 42-6 became 142 all out with some determined late order batting.

Tea followed - without the main ingredient .... tea as there was no power to the pavilion, why didn't they tap into the hot air that emanated from the field when the home side were out there as a string of nonsense was non-stop. Particularly galling were the comments "What's it going to do next then?" or the like aimed at the batsmen, you would have thought they would have been embarrassed at (ill) preparing a track like that. However their bowlers bowled well, the fielding excellent and trouble soon became catastrophe and the point of no return. The only high spots in a poor batting display was a typically gritty 29 from Towills and Alan Parfitts's fluent 17 including f our 4s, nine years after he last picked up a bat.

Other results

Hinton in the Hedges (118 for 8 – 21 pts) beat Syresham (52 all out – 4 pts) by 66 runs

Willoughby (212 for 9 – 25 pts) beat Woodford Halse (164 all out – 7 pts) by 48 runs

Preston Bissett (143 all out – 22 pts) beat Byfield (124 all out – 6 pts) by 19 runs

Greens Norton v Croughton - result not phoned in

SATURDAY 9 AUGUST

BODICOTE (119 all out – 21 pts) beat HINTON (64 all out – 5 pts) by 55 runs

After a poor batting display Bodicote were rescued by a fine bowling and fielding performance against lowly Hinton.

Hinton arrived, looked suspiciously at the wicket won the toss and decided to stick Bodicote in. After the early loss of Inzy, remarkably bowled round his a**e, Stanno and Polly took the score up to before the latter was out for 25 to the delight of the visitors as he had flayed them earlier in the season. Andrew soon followed unlucky to be adjudged to be caught behind and after this the innings went into freefall. Steve Pratt, Andy Towills and Mike Hawken all failed to get to grips with a wicket which was keeping low and George and Dave tried to hit us out of trouble before falling for 18 and 17 respectively. Jerry fell LBW to leave Barl and Bucks to nurse the score past the 100 mark. Bucks started to enjoy the luxury of time at the crease and went into attack mode in the 38^th over, hitting two fours before falling to another iffy LBW.

Fortunately for Bodicote Hinton's star batsman was again missing (does he try to protect his average). Bodicote's less than star-man Phil Normal was also away so Bucks was able to regain the opening bowlers slot. He got an early breakthrough but despite some tight work from him and Dave, Hinton edged their way to 32 before the Bodicote got on top. Dave softened up the unhelmeted opener with some bouncers which saw him worrying about whether he should wear a lid, before he had the chance he bowled him and Bucks soon removed the No 3. Some good work by Mike Hawken saw a run out and three more wickets from Dave and another from Bucks reduced Hinton to 52-8. Both bowlers bowled their 12 over spells straight through to finish with 3-28 (Bucks) and 4-23 (Dave). Barlow picked up the final two wickets, combined age 120, with George holding onto a good catch at cover for one of them.

Other results

Willoughby (213 all out – 25 pts) beat Gayton (148 all out – 7 pts) by 65 runs

Greens Norton (187 for 5 – 24 pts) beat Preston Bissett (97 all out – 2 pts) by 90 runs

Croughton (182 for 8 – 24 pts) beat Syresham (109 all out – 5 pts) by 73 runs

Byfield (221 for 7 – 24 pts) beat Woodford Halse (176 for 9 – 6 pts) by 45 runs

SATURDAY 2 AUGUST

BODICOTE (166 all out - 5 pts) lost to BYFIELD (170 for 4 - 23 points) by six wickets

A creditable performance against the league leaders with some established names missing. .Top scorers in Bodicote's 166 were Andrew Stanley with 36, Trevor Morrow 34 and Steve Pratt with 57, his maiden 50. Byfield were made to work har dfor heir runs with Dave Cronin taking 2-28 and Mike Hawken bowling some god stuff on his return to the 1sts. However the home team always had wickets in hand and won the match in the penultimate over.

Other results

Greens Norton (234 for 1 - 25 pts) beat Syresham (114 all out – 1 pt) by 96 runs

Gayton (175 for 6 – 24 pts) beat Preston Bissett (52 all out – 3 pts) by 123 runs

Hinton (178 for 9 – 22 pts) beat Willoughby (176 for 7 – 8 pts) by 1 wicket

Croughton (127 for 6 – 22 pts) beat Woodford (126 all out – 5 pts) by 4 wickets

SATURDAY 26 JULY

BODICOTE (159 all out - 13 pts) drew with WOODFORD HALSE (41 for1 - 15 points) abandoned rain

Dave did it again with 71 but no one else got to grips with the wet batting surface. With the game delicately poised and Bodicote's four main bowlers on their hols the captain willingly took the draw option as the heavens opened.

Other results

Syresham (154 all out – 23 pts) beat Willoughby (89 all out – 5 pts) by 65runs

Croughton (194 for 2 – 20 pts) beat P.Bissett (206 for 3 – 6 pts) on a faster scoring rate

Byfield (169 for 4 – 23 pts) beat Gayton (168 all out – 5 pts) by 6 wickets

Greens Norton (177 for 7 – 22 pts) beat Hinton (140 for 7 – 5 pts) by 37 runs

SATURDAY 19 JULY

BODICOTE (231 for 4 – 25 pts) beat GREENS NORTON (196 all out – 6 pts) by 35 runs

Bodicote's win was based around a huge 2^nd wicket partnership of 170 between Andrew Stanley and Dave Allen. For once the skipper was overshadowed with only 72 compared to Andrew's absolutely magnificent 114 not out. All of Greens Norton's top order made a few and they were close to run rate for a long time. Bodicote's cause was not helped by Bucks injuring himself in the field making him unable to bowl. Andrew filled in and his day was made better by picking up two wickets. Andy Towills also bagged two and Barlow bought another 4 … for 59.

Other results

Gayton (134 for 6 – 21 pts) beat Croughton (133 for 9 – 5 pts) by 4 wickets

Willoughby (229 for 4 – 25 pts) beat Preston Bissett (93 all out – 2 pts) by 136 runs

Byfield (149 for 3 – 21 pts) beat Hinton (145 for 8 – 3 pts) by 7 wickets

Syresham (220 all out – 25 pts) beat Woodford Halse (168 all out – 8 pts) by 52 runs

SATURDAY 12 JULY

BODICOTE (193-7 - 8 pts) lost to Preston Bissett (200-8, 24 pts) by 7 runs

A grim performance at the 1st XIs bogey ground. With the sun beating down his was not a good toss to lose by skipper Allen and inevitably the home side chose to bat. The home sides openers soon raced away and with Tony Marikar riding his luck reached 73 inside 13 overs before slowing a little. Marikar went for 58 when the score had reached 95 in the 20th. His colleague looked one of the least stylish players around but he hung in there to reach 58 in 35 overs whilst others had a quick pop at the bowling. They were all helped by a miserable display of fielding with dropped catches and too many boundaries that should have been stopped. The only bright point was the bowling of Bucks. One or two early edges got him angry and after this he went on to take 5-49. A total of 200-8 looked gettable but was 30 more than they should have got.

The reply got off the worst possible start in the first over with Inzaman, living up to his nickname, run out which saw him stranded prostrate like a beached whale halfway down the track whilst the bails were removed. Dave joined Andy Towills who has had a meteoric rise to 1st XI opener and they moved the score onto 68 before Andy was bowled for 24. Pollard again offered little but Steve Pratt helped Dave put on 31 before the skipper was out for a good 69. Vice captain George and Steve added another 37 and when Steve was out for 30 52 were needed from the last seven. Unfortunately with the boundaries drying up and Newman, Barlow and Buckingham all failing this became 31 off to 2. Dave hit two big sixes in the penultimate over to leave 12 needed off the last and a chance of glory but this was a maiden with only byes and buzzers scored to leave us 7 short.

Quote of the Day (apart from the string of nonsense emanating from the Preston scorer) - the Preston Bissett No 4 calling out "Can you get my armguard" whilst facing Bucks

Thought of the Day - How on earth did we lose to them....and frustratingly we missed the chance to make up ground on the leaders because Willoughby somehow lost to Croughton too. .       

Other results

Byfield (196 for ? – 24 pts) beat Syresham (52 all out)  by  144 runs

Woodford Halse (158 for 7 – 23 pts) beat Hinton (143 all out – 5 pts) by 15 runs

Greens Norton (193 for 9 – 23 pts) beat Gayton (162 for 8 – 7 pts) by 31 runs

Croughton (139 for 8 – 22 pts) beat Willoughby (67 all out – 4 pts) by 72 runs

SATURDAY 5 JULY

BODICOTE (242 for 9 – 24 pts) beat SYRESHAM (186 for 8 – 8 pts) by 56 runs

So a trip to fellow relegatees from 2002 Syresham, who look likely to be relegated again this season which is a shame because its a good ground with excellent changing rooms and the tea of the season.

Bodicote were surprisingly inserted and Inzy Smith and Andrew Stanley endured some top notch chat from the oppo as they got going. Fortunately the quality of the bowling did not match the chat and the scoreboard was soon ticking over with Smith producing some punishing drives, admittedly interspersed with some edgy cutting. The 50 came up in the 12th over before Smith departed for a good 27 to be replaced by the skipper. Andrew took up the mantle playing some cracking shots and he (not before time) made a good 38. Pollard joined Dave and looked strangely subdued contributing only 8 to a partnership of 40. Dave however was racing along and he and Steve Pratt took the score from 127 in the 26th to 217 in the 36th before Dave fell L (and nose) BW for a boundary studded 84. Steve went on to make a good 33. The tail thrashed about and Bucks even got a bat as Dave Cronin let him bat 10 so he could first in the queue for tea. However his seasonal tally of 4 balls was not disturbed despite rejecting an obvious two on the penultimate ball to seemingly give him the strike - a massive buzzer even he could not avoid taking put paid to that.

Having gorged themselves on a feast of a tea and pretty safe in the knowledge that 242 would not be surpassed Bodicote failed to sparkle in the field. Dave finally induced a breakthrough when the Syresham opener had to retire hurt after straining his back. The dangerous Parry was removed a ball later after a cunning plan cooked up by Newman saw him hit a wide short one to Inzy at point. The other opener mowed his way to 40, almost hitting his prostrate colleague, by now lying on a table at the boundary edge, with a six but he fell to one of Barlow's mixed bag - a catch down the legside by keeper Morrow. Some ugly swatting aided by George's skill in running under the ball at deep long off then see it fly over his head,  took the total up to 186 with Barlow finishing with an expensive 4-61. 

Quote of the Day from skipper Allen "Right we'll attack, Stephen you do third man"

Other results

Willoughby (135 for 9 – 22 pts) beat Greens Norton (53 all out – 4 pts) by 82 runs

Byfield (190 for 6 – 23 pts) beat Croughton (187 for 9 – 7 pts) by 4 wickets

Woodford v Gayton  -  win for Gayton details not phoned in

Hinton in the Hedges  v Preston Bissett  -  result not phoned in

SATURDAY 28 JUNE

BODICOTE (173-9 - 23 pts) beat CROUGHTON (81 all out - 4 points) by 92 runs

A good response to last week's loss against a team who were level on points before the game. Another toss won by Dave so Bodicote batted first. Andrew Stanley's unfortunate run continued and he went early but Roger and Dave took the score to 42 before Rog fell for 8. Dave and Polly took the score to 61 before the team went into freefall, slumping from 61-2 in the 15th to 74-6.in the 22nd. However cometh the hour cometh the (New)man. Phil's pre match warm up in the Blarney Stone paid dividends and he scored 36. including a huge six into the car park and a flat one into the door of Steve Pratt's car. He received good support from debutant Andy Towills and the pair put on 60 for the 7th wicket. David Cronin disappointed his large (and at that time still conscious) posse with 1 but Barlow hit a quick fire 26 and with Andy finishing unbeaten on 36 the team reached a defendable score.

Dave's first over after tea saw Dibby Wright dropped by Rog, then bowled off a no ball and this set the  pattern for his luckless spell. At the other end the Mighty Newman took three early wickets including a storming slip catch by Dave. Barl bought a wicket with a looping full toss but after that it was the Bucks show. He mowed through a fragile middle order and tail to finish with 6-8 as Croughton capitulated to 81  all out, Phil rounding off his monster performance with a nonchalant diving slip catch. Croughton should have picked the batsman who scored 60 odd not out for their 2nd XI (see SNCL results for 28 June)   

Quote of the Day from Bucks (see last week). "That's still four balls I've faced all season!"

Other results

Preston Bissett (124 for 3 – 21 pts) beat Syresham (120 all out – 2 pts) by 7 wickets

Willoughby (223 all out – 24 pts) beat Byfield (194 for 9 – 9 pts) by 29 runs

Greens Norton (134 for 6 – 22 pts) beat Woodford Halse (133 all out – 5 pts) by 4 wickets

Gayton  (159 for 8 - 20 pts) beat  Hinton in the Hedges (158 for 5 - 7 pts) by 2 wickets

SATURDAY 21 JUNE

WILLOUGHBY (213 for 9 – 25 pts) beat BODICOTE (144 all out – 6 pts) by 79 runs

So another 50 pointer between 2nd and 3rd and Bodicote came of worse after the long trip to Willoughby.

Early signs looked good when Phil took a wicket with the first ball of the second over, surprisingly caught by Barlow at mid off who had just entered the fray - late. Willoughby look like a team who play their shots and with a small boundary on one side and a good track moved onto 32 before Newman struck again. Things got even better when Dave conjured up three wickets in the fifteenth over, including a fine caught and bowled, to reduce the home team to 46-5. However Willoughby's No 6, a dead ringer for George Dawes, was soon putting up the scores. The home team took the total to 100 before Barlow struck twice, two catches by Bucks in the gully, but a strong eighth wicket stand took them up to 180 before Dawes fell for a good 71.  Their No 9 went on to score 44 and respond to a bit of unnecessary verbals from Phil who otherwise did well with 3-43. Of the rest Bucks in particular showed less rhythm than on the dance floor, the boundary past Barls' head was too short and Dave just didn't seem to have much luck apart from his purple over.

In reply Andrew Stanley fell almost inevitably LBW early on before Dave came in and was just looking good when he fell LBW too, playing forward to a ball that looked suspiciously like it was going down the leg side. Polly hit a huge six but then soon departed, Richard Ul Haq (37) and Steve Pratt (26) both batted well and kept us up with the rate as did Roger before he fell to a shocker of an LBW for 17. The much vaunted tail failed to wag and when No 11 Phil was out first ball we had slumped to 144.

On reflection they batted well and we were disappointing against a not hostile attack although it was surprising that that was their best score of the season as you would hope we had a better bowling outfit than others.

Quote of the Day from Bucks as he left the field 1 NO (remembering he scored a ton in the last game of 2002). "That's four balls I've faced all season!" . 

Other results

Croughton (138 for 9 – 22 pts) beat Hinton (137 all out – 6 pts) by 1 run or wkt

Byfield (245 for 6 – 25 pts) beat Greens Norton (156 all out – 6 pts) by 89 runs

Woodford Halse (200 for 4 – 22 pts) beat Preston Bissett (196 for 5 – 6 pts) by 4 runs

Gayton  v  Syresham  -  result not phoned in

THURSDAY 19 JUNE - CUP

BODICOTE (97 for 5) beat Preston Bissett (96-7) by 5 wickets

Into the semis after a comfortable win over a poor Preston Bissett side. Dave bowled a fiery opening spell on a lively wicket to remove their opener second ball and the dangerous Kevin D'Silva for 22. Phil and Chris also bowled tightly but Barl took some stick from the Preston No 7 who hit a quick 33 NO to give a score to chase. There was a clatter of early wickets with Symington, Hawken M and Newman all out cheaply before Smith M and Stanley steadied the ship. Mark was out for 17 trying a reverse sweep but Andrew found good company in some bloke called Sid who made up the numbers. Andrew went on to make 35 and Sid 24 NO as the total was reached in the 18th over.

Two mysteries - where were the boundary markers and why can't Phil count up to 11? He kept badgering the skipper trying to tell him we had 12 players on the pitch when we plainly hadn't.

SATURDAY 14 JUNE

BODICOTE (182 for 9 - 24 pts) beat Gayton (146 all out - 6 pts) by 36 runs 

Another good toss to win. Bodicote moved serenely onto fifteen before Andrew Stanley fell foul of umpire Page's continuing policy of giving about one in three LBW shouts. Against a pretty friendly attack Roger and Dave took the score slowly onto 49 before Dave fell for 17 in the 20th over. Enter Pollard who for the second week running scored heavily and Roger came out of his shell too. They took the score to 116 before Roger fell one short of his 50. When Polly was out for 47 in the 32nd over Bodicote had reached 135 and a big score looked possible. Unfortunately the middle to late order failed miserably and when No 11 Barlow strode out the score stood at 147 with seventeen balls to go. Aided by the Gayton spinner suddenly developing the yips and a last over that yielded 20 his 31 NO guided the team to 182-9.

Gayton's reply was kept in check by Dave Cronin who bowled his customary excellent opening spell and they were struggling at 39-4. However a 5th wicket partnership of 55 looked to be turning the game until Barlow removed both batsmen in successive overs. Gayton's 8th wicket pair put on 44 but with Trevor finally executed a stumping off Barlow and Newman mopping up the tail to finish with 4-40 Bodicote ran out comfortablish winners.

Quote of the day from Phil Newman - "The untouchable Barlow" after he span three consecutive balls past the oppo's No 8's outside edge.    

See what the oppo's take on proceedings were at Gayton CC

Other results

Willoughby (191 all out – 24 pts) beat Woodford Halse (75 all out – 5 pts ) by 116 runs

Croughton (243 for 9 – 25 pts) beat Greens Norton (33 all out – 4 pts) by 210 runs

Hinton (157 for 0 – 23 pts) beat Syresham (156 all out – 3 pts) by 10 wickets

Byfield (266 for 6 – 24 pts) beat Preston Bissett (166 for 8 – 6 pts) by 100 runs

SATURDAY 7 JUNE

BODICOTE (165 for 9 – 22 pts) beat HINTON (79 for 8 – 4 pts) by 86 runs

Back on track then. Bodicote chose to bat on a drying wicket which stopped and popped and found themselves 19-3 with Smith R, Stanley & Allen all dismissed cheaply. Enter Pollard who smote the ball to all parts and when he missed it missed the stumps. He scored 70 including seven sixes and five fours and put on 73 for the 4th wicket in 12 overs with Steve Pratt who scored 3 of them. When he departed Steve compiled a patient 31. George Lawrence earned the kit bag for a duck after he spooned one to mid off but Newman, Graham, Barlow & Cronin all added a few helping Bodicote reach 165-9.

Hinton's reply never got going in face of good opening spells from Dave Cronin and Phil Newman. Dave took 3-18 aided by a fantastic diving catch from keeper Graham who flew in front of a relieved Pollard at first slip. Phil also took two good catches at second slip as well as one wicket. Hinton ended up blocking to  prevent Bodicote from obtaining maximum bowling points though they would have been better trying for a batting point to help in their undoubted quest to avoid the drop because they weren't very good. Dr Buckingham produced his Dr Banner impersonation as the Incredible Hulk as his frustration at not breaking through became more and more pronounced. He finally took two wickets as did Stephen Barlow who the team were pleased to see had lost none of his flight and guile during his sojourn in Manchester in 2002.

Quote of the Day from Roger, in response to one deriding George Lawrence's inability to keep up with Bucks "He's old enough to be your father"  - "With his reputation he could well be your father"

Other results

Byfield (247 for 6 – 25 pts) beat Woodford Halse (169 all out – 6 pts) by 78 runs

Willoughby (162 all out – 23 pts) beat Gayton (107 all out – 6 pts) by 55 runs

Syresham (131 for 9 – 22 pts) beat Croughton (79 all out – 4 pts) by 52 runs

Preston Bissett (102 all out – 21 pts) beat Greens Norton (100 all out – 6 pts) by 2 runs

SATURDAY 31 MAY

BYFIELD (137 for 4 – 21 pts) beat BODICOTE (136 for 9 – 4 pts) by 6 wickets

The visit of the league leaders Byfield saw Bodicote lose for the first time this season. Skipper Dave Allen again looked to be on song but his stay was cut short by an LBW decision when on 25. It took some lusty blows from No 11 - Paul Smith with 24 NO to take the score to something approaching mediocre. Phil Newman's dismissal saw the bowler's wild celebrations cut short as he tripped over Phil's leg as the batsman took evasive action. Byfield were served up too many poor balls to make the score competitive and Bucks was brought into the action too late to make a difference. (OK no prizes for guessing where this match report emanated from)

Other results

Croughton (233 for 6 – 25 pts) beat Woodford Halse (170 all out – 6 pts) by 53 runs

Gayton (148 for 5 – 21 pts) beat Preston Bissett (146 for 8 – 4 pts) by 5 wickets

Greens Norton (213 for 8 – 24 pts) beat Syresham (178 for 9 – 8 pts) by 35 runs

Willoughby (146 all out – 21 pts) beat Hinton (129 for 9 – 7 pts) by 17 runs

SATURDAY 24 MAY

BODICOTE (10 pts) drew with WOODFORD HALSE (10 pts)  -  rained off 

So the big 50 pointer (or whatever under the new bonus points scheme) between 2nd and 3rd in Division One failed to materialise, drowned in a series of squally showers. Bucks said he wouldn't have been able to bowl fast on the slippy track - so what's new? A short fielding practice between the showers would have left Woodford thinking they'd have been safe to hit anything in the air.

Other results

Greens Norton  (70 for 4 – 20 pts)  beat Hinton (68 all out – 2 pts) by 6 wickets

Willoughby (?? – 20 pts)  beat Syresham (?? – 3 pts) by 4 wickets

Byfield  v  Gayton  -  Result not phoned in

Preston Bissett  v  Croughton  -  Result not phoned in

SATURDAY 17 MAY

BODICOTE (10 pts) drew with PRESTON BISSETT (10 pts) - rained off

Remarkably considering the weather all other games in the Division saw some action with only one other match not reaching a conclusion. In the embryonic table Byfield have won 3 out of 3 to go top with 68 points and Bodicote are joint second with Woodford on 55.

Other results

Gayton (114 for 7 - 21 pts) beat Greens Norton (113 all out - 4 pts) by 3 wickets

Woodford Halse (140 for 5 - 12pts) drew with Hinton (12 pts) - rained off

Byfield (218 for 5 - 24 pts) beat Syresham (102 for 8 - 3 pts) by 116 runs

Willoughby (94 for 7 - 20 pts) beat Croughton (93 all out - 3 pts) by 3 wickets

SATURDAY 10 MAY

BODICOTE (173 for 7 - 22 pts) beat GREENS NORTON (168 for 8 - 6 pts) by 5 runs

Bodicote recorded their second win with captain Dave Allen again leading the way. His 97 helped Bodicote to 173-7. In Greens Norton's reply Bodicote were hampered by Simon Pollard dislocating his collar-bone in the 15th over. With Woody taking him to hospital, Bodicote were down to 9 fielders and did well to hold on for a win by 5 runs. Phil Newman took 5-45.

Other results

Byfield (192 for 4 - 24 pts) beat Hinton (100 all out - 3 pts) by 92 runs
Croughton (164 for 8 - 22 pts) beat Gayton (114 for 9 - 5 pts) by 50 runs
Willoughby (184 for 8 - 24 pts) beat Preston Bissett (86 all out – 4 pts) by 98 runs
Woodford Halse beat Syresham (Details not supplied)

SATURDAY 3 MAY

BODICOTE (150 for 8 - 23 pts) beat SYRESHAM (97 for 9 - 5 pts) by 53 runs

Bodicote got off to a winning start thanks to a captain's knock of 88 from new skipper Dave Allen. Dave, who missed all of last season after breaking his ankle playing rugby, showed that he had lost none of his batting skill despite his continued lack of full fitness. Syresham's reply never got going thanks to a superb bowling display from Dave Cronin who took 7-20.

Other results

Greens Norton (158 for 7 - 23 pts) beat Willoughby (143 all out - 5 pts) by 15 runs
Byfield (69 for 3 - 20 pts) beat Croughton (68 all out - 1 pt) by 7 wickets
Woodford (156 for 3 - 23 pts) beat Gayton (144 all out - 3 pts) by 12 runs
Hinton (116 for 4 - 20 pts) beat Preston Bissett (115 for 9 - 3 pts) by 6 wickets

2003 SEASON 2nd Team

 FINAL STANDINGS IN 2003