May 2015
Chipping Norton
Despite a fluent 28 from Jon Scotchbrook the SACC was struggling at 47-4 against a much improved Chipping Norton attack. Thankfully Tim Jefferson (37) and Arthur Higgins (79*) steadied the ship with a stand of 69 for the fifth wicket. Then the fireworks began as Arthur and Graham Goadby (39) put on 70 in 8 overs, almost like watching Morgan and Root! We finished on a creditable 219-6. It was Arthur’s first 50 for the village and I have now reconciled myself to the fact that I am no longer the best cricketer in my family. As Ian Bell once remarked to the great Mark Waugh, when being brutally sledged by him, “I may not be much good, but at least I am the best cricketer in my family!”
Chipping Norton could only manage 150-7 from their 40 overs, never recovering from a tight opening spell from Greg Renk (2-10) and Graham Goadby (1-22). Then Peter Higgins (2-20), Nigel Doggett (1-32) and Will Doggett (1-11) kept the pressure on and the result was never in doubt.
Middleton Stoney
Wow, we dismissed Middleton Stoney for 148 with some fine opening bowling from Rob Hull (2-38), ably supported by the ever improving Paul Longman (3-41). However our star man was Ross Baird, who turned in his best performance for Steeple Aston with 5-52 from 14.1 overs. In reply at 114-4 the game was in the bag; Nigel Doggett had batted diligently for 43 and with Jon Scotchbrook on 43 not out we could not lose….except we did! Jon was out next ball and we collapsed to 144 all out with only Rob Hull (17) offering any real resistance. Cricket is a funny old game and you only need to lose concentration for a split second and the game can change dramatically. We were bitterly disappointed to lose, but it will make us all the more determined for next year.
Sandford St Martin
It had been 5 years since we last defeated Sandford and we had targeted this as our “must win” game of the season. And what a game! Sandford batted first and hit a par score of 186. Rob Wilson-Fry was his usual mean self with 2-11 from 8 overs, but it was Graham Goadby (3-44) who tore the heart out of the Sandford batting. Ross Baird (1-33), Jamie Longman (1-37) and Greg Renk (1-4) all chipped in with a wicket each.
In reply we were magnificent. Nigel Doggett (44) crafted another score in the forties (when is this half century going to come, Nigel?) before Jon Scotchbrook (62*) and Jamie Longman (24*) had an undefeated partnership of 85 to win us the match by 7 wickets. To paraphrase Miranda, that is what I like to call an absolute stuffing!!
Next week Barton Abbey, who beat us for the first time last year. Come on the SACC.
Best wishes
Peter Higgins
Chairman