April 2015

2,000 Runs

Despite losing to Brill in a hard fought match, Jon Scotchbrook hit a fluent 77 to take his lifetime tally for the SACC to 2,016 runs at an average of 34.16. He is the first to reach this landmark. Jon was ably supported by Ben Ramos (28) and Richard Markham (21*), but 187-9 with such a short boundary never looked enough. Brill knocked off the runs with two overs remaining for the loss of only 4 wickets. Rob Wilson-Fry (1-10) and Rob Hull (1-29) bowled tidily at the outset and Paul Longman (2-62) chipped in with 2 wickets, but we were never able to exert enough pressure in the field and our hosts were deserving winners.

Deddington 2nd XI

Under the captaincy of former SACC player Ashley Clarke, Deddington fancied their chances this year (they have never beaten us), but that record still remains. We gave nothing away in the field, took some fine catches and bowled our opponents out for 115. Jamie Longman (3-17) was the pick of the bowlers with debutant Graham Goodby (2-22) bowling a very tight line with his offspin. Ross Baird (1-16) and Paul Longman (1-17) took a wicket each and Chris Nevile produced his best figures for the SACC, bowling 3 overs and taking 1-3.

Our opening pair set off at great pace with Stan Owen (46) striking 8 boundaries in the first 15 overs and Harvey Townson (17) three more. Greg Renk hit a quick fire 18 and Jamie Longman (19*) hit the wining runs in the 24th over. It was a fine win and leaves the village in great shape for the mighty Chairman’s XI.

SACC XI 8 Chairman’s XI 3…who would win Match 12?

The Chairman’s XI batted, because they would have been unlikely to have a fit team, if they had fielded first. Jeremy Farrar again played for the Chairman’s XI (for how much longer?) and scored a swift 62. The Chairman himself did not need to bat, as the oldies raced to 264-5 off 40 overs. Chris Nevile (2-8) was the most incisive of the SACC attack with Nigel Doggett (2-31) and Mark Parker (1-40) also taking wickets. That said the Chairman’s XI would have scored more, but for Jon Scotchbrook’s incredible diving catch to dismiss our best batsman, who used to captain Suffolk.

So it was a beautiful sunny day, the wicket looked in marvellous condition thanks in particular to Jon Scotchbrook and Paul Longman and 265 was not impossible against a side not known for its bowling or fielding ability! Incredibly the Chairman’s XI rose to the occasion taking many fine catches to reduce the SACC to 63-6, with only Stan Owen (20) and Nigel Doggett (15) reaching double figures. However Jamie Longman continued his form of last year and hit an unbeaten 101 not out. Yes, we dropped him 6 times and should have run him out twice, but it was still a fine controlled innings of well-timed ball striking. Wickets continued to tumble though, with the groaning and moaning Chairman taking 2-29. The match looked all but lost until Phil Chesser hit a swift 15 and Chris Watson a belligerent 32*, but it was not enough and the Club ended on 231 all out. Almost 500 runs were scored in the day, the sun shone and a BBQ at the Chairman’s house rounded off a marvellous village occasion. As I write on the Sunday afternoon following the game, I am still feeling the effects of my team’s celebrations! Next month Chipping Norton, Middleton Stoney and Sandford St Martin – we really must beat all three.

Best wishes

Peter Higgins

Chairman