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Pathway Awards Ceremony 2023
FEATURED POSTOn Sunday 17th September 2023 we had the privilege of welcoming our players, parents and guardians, extended family members, employees and guests to the Pathway Awards Ceremony held at the magnificent Wormsley Estate in order to celebrate and draw closure to the 2023 season. The Pathway Awards Ceremony is a key date in the pathway programme in which we come together to reward, recognise and celebrate individual achievement and team success. The event was moved to a Sunday lunchtime in 2023 with the intention of enabling the event to be more accessible than the Saturday evening time slot in previous years, whilst also affording families the chance to enjoy the broader range of activities scheduled throughout the day. We were delighted to welcome Jerome Sale from BBC Radio Oxford as host of the Pathway Awards Ceremony in 2023, with the new Chair of Oxfordshire Cricket, Peter Tervet welcoming the attendees to the event. Before presenting the awards we expressed our gratitude to everyone who contributed to a successful and memorable year. We also took the opportunity to welcome and introduce our special guests, including former Oxfordshire Pathway player, Linsey Smith from the Southern Vipers and Northern Superchargers as the prize giver, Brian Clarke from Kidz in Focus to capture photos of our Award winners and our sponsors, Serious Cricket. We thank Linsey for her support with the Q&A prior to the Ceremony and hope her story gave inspiration to our pathway players who strive to follow in her footsteps into the professional game. We were delighted to welcome over 400 people to the ceremony, first looking back fondly on the 2023 season with a short video capturing special moments from the year. We thank our parents, guardians and employees for sharing their special moments of the year, and Nick Pinhol for his integral role in putting the video together. A printed Awards Ceremony booklet was again made available, along with an online version accessible HERE to share a brief summary of the season from each of our pathway age groups and we hope that you have the chance to digest the series of reports at your leisure. The Awards Ceremony would shortly commence in which we recognised, and rewarded the performances and achievements of individuals and teams by presenting the following awards; Individual Performance Individual Recognition Team Performance Batter of the Year Bowler of the Year Disability Award Players' Player Player of Year Phil Garner Award Felix Byam Shaw Award Further information on Award winners across each of the categories for 2023 can be found below. Individual Performance Introduced in 2018, the performance awards recognise successful individual performance and were awarded to players for their performances within the final squads in 2023. Within the Foundation Pathway (Under 13’s and below), individual performance awards were presented to players who scored fifty or more, or who took more than four wickets in an innings. Within the Talent Pathway (Under 14s and above), individual performance awards were presented to players who scored a hundred or more, or who took more than five wickets in an innings. The individual performance were presented to the following players; Team Year Player Name Performance Bulls Under 11 2023 Alfie Lewis 72* v St Edwards School Boys Under 11 61 v Hornets Boys Under 13 2023 Ben Wickens 61 v Eagles Boys Under 13 62* v California Boys Under 12 2023 Casper Green 62* v Netherlands Bulls Under 10 2023 Charlie Lamb 52* v Cothill House School Boys Under 13 2023 Charlie Spicer 52 v Cricket Wales Boys Under 11 2023 Elis Healey 51 v Somerset Girls Under 13 2023 Emily Mayer 72 v Somerset Girls Under 13 51* v Tornadoes Girls Under 13 56* v Berkshire Boys Under 13 2023 Harry Bewes 88 v Buzzards Boys Under 12 2023 Hector Gray 55* v Sussex Boys Under 13 2023 Henry Saunders 52 v Shropshire Boys Under 13 2023 Hugo Du Plessis 109 v Gloucestershire Boys Under 10 2023 James Acton 50* v Panthers Bulls Under 12 2023 James Hart 50* v Cothill House School Boys Under 13 2023 James Lovell 65* v Eagles Bulls Under 12 2023 Joshua Lamb 51* v Cothill House School Girls Under 13 2023 Mary Harrington 50* v Hurricanes Girls Under 13 50* v Tornadoes Boys Under 10 2023 Matthew Bollinghaus 50 v Northamptonshire Boys Under 13 2023 Max Murphy 62* v Norfolk Boys Under 11 2023 Max Smith 75 v Northamptonshire Boys Under 10 2023 Mustafa Shah 50 v Dorset Girls Under 13 2023 Niamh Rogan 57 v Buckinghamshire Girls Under 13 113* v Gloucestershire Boys Under 13 2023 Nico Hartley 74* v Buzzards Boys Under 13 2023 Oliver Beard 75* v Northamptonshire Boys Under 13 56 v California Girls Under 11 2023 Piper Rey 50* v Rockets Boys Under 13 2023 Sam Allen 58* v Worcestershire Boys Under 11 2023 Will Logan 55 v Hornets Bulls Under 11 2023 Zach Rayner 53 v Gloucestershire Boys Under 16 2023 Ethan Barksfield 108* v Berkshire Boys Under 18 2023 Henry Macdonald 102 v Isle of Wight Boys Under 15 2023 Max Bolam 120* v Boys Under 14 Boys Under 18 2023 Thomas Cunningham 129 v Wiltshire Boys Under 18 2023 Tristan Rossouw 158 v Berkshire Boys Under 18 2023 Zain Ali 140 v Staffordshire Girls Under 13 2023 Agnes Roper 4-22 v Hurricanes Boys Under 13 2023 Arthur Maunder 4-11 v Buzzards Boys Under 10 2023 Banjo Rowan-Hull 4-21 v Lynx Boys Under 10 4-9 Dorset Boys Under 10 2023 Charlie Lamb 5-15 v Lynx Boys Under 13 2023 Ciaran Lewis 5-31 v Shropshire Boys Under 11 2023 Teddy Frieda 4-26 v Scorpions Boys Under 13 2023 Edward Turner 5-39 v Buzzards Girls Under 13 2023 Emily Mayer 4-8 v Cornwall Boys Under 10 2023 Freddie Fowler 6-15 v Panthers Boys Under 10 2023 Harry Rowland-Clark 6-10 v Lynx Boys Under 11 2023 Harry Sedgwick 5-13 v Invicta Kent Girls Under 13 2023 Hettie Banks 4-12 v Gloucestershire Boys Under 11 2023 Jack Townsend 4-19 v Wiltshire Boys Under 11 2023 Jack Wale 4-29 v Invicta Kent Boys Under 10 2023 James Acton 4-3 v Worcestershire Girls Under 13 2023 Jemima Foster 5-13 v Buckinghamshire Boys Under 10 2023 Kingsley McGeown 5-14 v Panthers Boys Under 13 2023 Nico Hartley 5-23 v Gloucestershire Boys Under 10 2023 Robbie Robinson 4-34 v Panthers Girls Under 11 2023 Ruby Van Der Linden 5-8 v Comets Boys Under 11 2023 Xander Smith 4-8 v Washington Boys Under 18 2023 Alfie Smethurst 5-57 v Staffordshire Boys Under 18 2023 Henry Welch 5-32 v Devon Boys Under 18 2023 Nico van der Merwe 5-24 v Isle of Wight Boys Under 18 2023 Matthew Ford 5-56 v Devon Girls Under 15 2023 Emma Park 6-23 v Dorset Boys Under 14 2023 Tom Spokes 5-22 v Cricket East Boys Under 15 2023 Charlie Sutton 6-8 v Wiltshire Individual Recognition Introduced in 2023 in order to recognise an individual's selection, with players receiving a round of applause from the audience for; Recognition for selection within teams beyond the pathway during the season. Recognition for selection onto an academy or first-class county programme Category Year Recognition Women’s First Team Selection 2023 Honor Murrary, Georgia Prestedge, Sophie Hanson, Kitty Spurgeon, Katie Waugh, Zoe Soonawalla, Lucy Johnson, Bethan Lewis, Chloe Westbury, Abi Norgrove, Aimee Diab, Izzy Kirby Men’s First Team Selection 2023 Luke Hayes, Henry Welch, Dylan Driscoll, Jacob Townsend Academy Selection 2023 Dylan Driscoll (Sussex Academy), Abi Norgrove (Southern Vipers Academy) Regional Cricket Selection 2023 Arthur Hanson – South & West Under 15 and the ECB David English Bunbury Festival Southern Vipers EPP Selection 2023 Chloe Westbury, Aimee Diab and Katie Waugh First Class County Pathway Team Selection 2023 In no particular order; Julian Laird (Sussex), Luke Hayes (Sussex), Jacob Townsend (Sussex and Leicestershire), Henry Welch (Sussex), Alfie Smethurst (Sussex), Tristan Rossouw (Sussex), Arthur Hanson (Sussex), Adrian Hector (Sussex) Team Performance The following team performances received recognition and applause from the audience to recognise outstanding team success in 2023. Team Year Recognition Girls Under 13 2023 King’s College, Taunton Festival Winners Batter of the Year Introduced in 2021, the batter of the year award was presented to the leading run scorer from across the Age Group and/or, a player who has made match winning or game influencing performances and/or a player who has statistically performed above, or significantly above their peers relative to the number of games they have played. The Batter of the Year awards were presented to the following players who were deserving recipients in 2023; Team Year Award Name Boys Under 10 2023 Batter of the Year Mustafa Shah Girls Under 11 2023 Batter of the Year Flora Nicholson Boys Under 11 2023 Batter of the Year Max Smith Boys Under 12 2023 Batter of the Year Charlie Spicer Girls Under 13 2023 Batter of the Year Emily Mayer Boys Under 13 2023 Batter of the Year George Logan Boys Under 14 2023 Batter of the Year Ben Miller Girls Under 15 2023 Batter of the Year Niamh Rogan Boys Under 15 2023 Batter of the Year Barney Villiers Boys Under 16 2023 Batter of the Year Arthur Hanson Girls Under 18 2023 Batter of the Year Izzy Kirby Boys Under 18 2023 Batter of the Year Zain Ali Bowler of the Year Introduced in 2021, the bowler of the year award was presented to the leading wicket taker from across the Age Group and/or, a player who has made match winning or game influencing performances and/or a player who has statistically performed above, or significantly above their peers relative to the number of games they have played. The Bowler of the Year awards were presented to the following players who were deserving recipients in 2023; Team Year Award Name Boys Under 10 2023 Bowler of the Year Anvay Chandrawale Girls Under 11 2023 Bowler of the Year Freya Monk Boys Under 11 2023 Bowler of the Year Harry Sedgwick Boys Under 12 2023 Bowler of the Year Cosmo Rowan Hull Girls Under 13 2023 Bowler of the Year Edith Fiddy Boys Under 13 2023 Bowler of the Year Harry Bewes Boys Under 14 2023 Bowler of the Year Tom Spokes Girls Under 15 2023 Bowler of the Year Emma Park Boys Under 15 2023 Bowler of the Year Gabriel Green Boys Under 16 2023 Bowler of the Year Dexter Ainley Girls Under 18 2023 Bowler of the Year Ellie Simpson Boys Under 18 2023 Bowler of the Year Rory Nicholson Disability Award The Oxfordshire Disability Cricketer of the Year Award was introduced in 2018 and has been presented annually since to recognise an individual for their performances and contribution to the disability cricket programme and/or an individual's connection with, and support of their peers. This year the disability award was accompanied by the addition of an annual cup that recipients will keep for 12 months. The Disability Award was presented to the deserving recipient in 2023; Award Year Name Disability Award 2023 Rosie Costello Players’ Player Introduced for the first time in 2018, the players’ player of the year award is presented to the player who, as voted by their peers, is deemed as the most deserving for their performances or contributions on or off the field. This award may be presented to the player who has scored runs or taken wickets, an individual who has contributed to the team, or a teammate who players’ enjoyed playing with throughout this season. The Players’ Player of the Year awards were presented to the following players who were deserving recipients as recognised by their peers; Team Year Award Name Boys Under 10 2023 Players' Player Sonny McGeown Girls Under 11 2023 Players' Player Piper Rey Boys Under 11 2023 Players' Player William Logan Boys Under 12 2023 Players' Player Charlie Spicer Girls Under 13 2023 Players' Player Emily Mayer Boys Under 13 2023 Players' Player Hugo du Plessis Boys Under 14 2023 Players' Player Ben Miller Girls Under 15 2023 Players' Player Alex Knight Boys Under 15 2023 Players' Player Rudi Derbyshire Boys Under 16 2023 Players' Player Dexter Ainley Girls Under 18 2023 Players' Player Chloe Westbury Boys Under 18 2023 Players' Player Zain Ali Player of the Year A long standing award which is accompanied by the presentation of an annual shield of prior winners that players can keep for 12 months. The Player of the Year award is presented to the outstanding performer from the age group and/or, a player whose performances have been above or significantly above their peer group and/or, the most impactful player or an individual who has contributed across multiple disciplines with the bat, ball, in the field or in a leadership capacity. The Player of the Year awards were presented to the following players who were deserving recipients in 2023; Team Year Award Name Boys Under 10 2023 Player of the Year James Acton Girls Under 11 2023 Player of the Year Rosie Morgan Boys Under 11 2023 Player of the Year Zach Rayner Boys Under 12 2023 Player of the Year Jackson Galbraith Girls Under 13 2023 Player of the Year Jemima Foster Boys Under 13 2023 Player of the Year Ben Wickens Boys Under 14 2023 Player of the Year Ben Miller Girls Under 15 2023 Player of the Year Rosie Hewlett Boys Under 15 2023 Player of the Year Rudi Derbyshire Boys Under 16 2023 Player of the Year Ethan Barksfield Girls Under 18 2023 Player of the Year Izzy Kirby Boys Under 18 2023 Player of the Year Tristan Rossouw Phil Garner Award The Phil Garner Award is presented for both excellence and for placing Oxfordshire on the national stage. The prestigious award is only presented on occasions where there is a deserving winner, rather than on an annual basis. The Phil Garner Award was presented to Tom Price for putting Oxfordshire on the national stage when becoming the 17th person in history to score a hundred and take a hat-trick in the same first-class game, and in the process, becoming the first cricketer to score a century and take a hat-trick on the same day. The rarity of such an excellence is an achievement recognised with being presented as the winning recipient of the Phil Garner Award for 2023. Click here to listen to Tom Price reflect upon winning the Phil Garner Award in 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLMJobw3fyQ Award Year Name Nominee/Winner Phil Garner 2023 Tom Price Winner Zach Lion-Cachet Nominee Oliver Price Nominee Abigale Norgrove Nominee Fi Morris Nominee The Felix Byam Shaw Award This award is presented in memory of Felix Byam Shaw who tragically passed away from meningitis whilst on holiday in France in 2014. Felix was the Oxfordshire Under 14’s captain at the time of his passing, and his death shocked, and saddened Oxfordshire Cricket. In his memory, the Felix Byam Shaw Award was formed with the family donating a magnificent trophy to be awarded annually to a player nominated from the pathway, who displayed similar traits to Felix. The Felix Byam Shaw Award recognises selflessness and the desire to succeed or to help others to succeed and is presented to a player from within the pathway. The annual presentation of the award remembers Felix, with the trophy honouring his legacy and keeping him as a part of the Oxfordshire cricket family, despite his tragic passing. The Felix Byam Shaw Award was presented by Kieren Bushnell and Neil Pickup. Three players were nominated for the award including Paddy Stocks, Zach Lewis and Poppy Wilson with citations read and each receiving a certificate. The deserving winner was decided by Jane Byam Shaw and presented to Poppy Wilson. You can find out more about The Felix Project, inspired by Felix, which believes in a vision of London where no-one goes hungry and good food is never wasted HERE. Award Year Name Nominee/Winner Felix Byam Shaw 2023 Paddy Stocks Nominee Zach Lewis Nominee Poppy Wilson Winner Photographs If you would like to view images from the Pathway Awards Ceremony then please go to www.kidzinfocus.co.uk and follow the instructions and login details shared at the awards ceremony. Photographs will be available to order until 1st October 2023. Conclusion On behalf of everyone at Oxfordshire Cricket we thank everyone who attended the pathway award ceremony and once again congratulate all of the deserving award winners for 2023. With the season concluded, we hope that you are able to recount special moments from the year and that you have enjoyed the game we love to the fullest, either as a player competing in an Oxfordshire shirt, or as supporting parent, family member, coach or spectator from the boundary. We thank all of the players, their families, our employees and the wider cricketing community for their contribution to the season of 2023. We hope that the Pathway Awards Ceremony was an enjoyable experience and that has inspired everyone to achieve more success within the game during 2024.
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2023 Grassroots Awards Ceremony - Volunteers Rewarded and Recognised
FEATURED POSTOn Sunday 17th September 2023 we welcomed over seventy nominees to the 2023 Grassroots Awards Ceremony held at the spectacular Wormsley Estate. The grassroots awards are an important part of the annual awards and finals day in which we come together to reward, recognise and celebrate the year’s success, and the tremendous amount of time and effort that volunteers throughout the county dedicated to growing and supporting the game in Oxfordshire. This year we have seen a high number of nominations with over 70 people nominated from across Oxfordshire. It has been fantastic to read all the nominations and hear about the excellent work that goes into clubs and communities in the county. Volunteers are the heart and soul of community sport. Without you, cricket and sport would not be what it is, so thank you for the countless amount of time, effort and dedication that you give to the sport that we love. Name Category Sanjay Mistry Connecting Communities/Engagement – A Club or community organisation which has gone above and beyond the call of cricket to support communities/groups coming back to the game we love. Lucy Upcroft Inspired to play – An Individual or group within your club or community organisation going above and beyond to open the game up to new audiences. Joe Bennett and Steventon CC Committee Richard McNeil Jonathan Woods Harry Santer Gemma Gardner Simon Launder Freya McNeill Rising Star Award – Young volunteer making a difference – 11 – 16-year-olds Summer Gardner Finn Hillier Will Harris Danny Robinson Dylan Swanepoel Game changer – Young volunteer 17 – 25-year-olds making a difference in the game. Jason Duckworth Freddie Crook Dave Hill Growing the game – A league volunteer, committee member, or administrator going above and beyond to support clubs and help increase the number of games played. Tash Rockliff Jordan Wootton Robin Burrows Michael Walton Chetan Walia Kashif Hafeez Bethany Bidwell Laura Gladdy Nagina Ali Sam Monk Lisa Wilkinson Cricket innovators – Someone who has brought new ideas and/or implemented new systems to improve your club or community group. Clare Woodcock Safe Hands - An individual that has gone above and beyond to create a positive and inclusive environment for young people to enjoy the game Graham Nelson Amy Hicks All Stars Cricket and/or Dynamos Cricket Activator of the Year - An activator who has shown enthusiasm, has been innovative and organised at their All Stars and/or Dynamos Cricket sessions this summer. Jen Lyon Naveed Akram Paul Anstey Jodie Cherry Alex Gibson Samir Khan Ahmed Muaz Katie Sawyer Josh Nathanielsz Tackling Climate Change - A Club or community organisation that is addressing the threat climate change poses to cricket, by making sustainable changes to operations, adapting their facilities and/or engaging their local community. Banbury Cricket Club Arthur Ward and Jack Owen and team Volunteer Grounds Management Team of the Year – An opportunity to reward and recognise those volunteers who are working hard and improving the places where the game is played Chris Hansen Steve Metcalf Rosalyn Porter Unsung hero – Those heroes who impact our game and help us make cricket happen. This could be ground staff, coaches, officials, umpires, or other volunteers. Mike Day Matt Miller John Woodhead Chris Hansen Richard Williams Steve Haigh Jim McGeown David Wood Al Sumner Antony Shorter Sarah Nathanielsz Oliver Badger Fred Price Amy Acton Matt Acton David Cronin Peter Sergeant Richard Harding Steve Lewis Stuart Robinson Brian George Sam Payne Philip Taffy Royal Lifetime achiever – That one individual who has given many years of service to your club or community group you could not do without. David Beck Roger Mitty Max Eason Craig Haupt David Warner
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2023 Grassroot Awards - Nominations are Open!
FEATURED POSTOxfordshire Cricket is pleased to launch this year’s 2023 Grassroots Cricket Awards, which seeks to reward and recognise volunteers across Oxfordshire who have made a difference to their club or community group. After last year's success at holding the awards at Wormsley, this year we will again hold a large portion of the awards at the Finals Day and Pathway Awards. There will also be a range of additional events that we will look to reward and recognise volunteers. There are eleven award categories that will allow us to recognise and reward those in Oxfordshire that have made an outstanding contribution to cricket this year, be it a young volunteer who has gone over and above or a club that has excelled in opening up the game to a brand new audience this summer. The deadline for all nominations is Friday the 21st of July 2023. Last year after rewarding and recognising over 112 volunteers across Oxfordshire, this year we would like to go beyond that to reward and recognise those that help make a difference. The categories are as follows: Connecting Communities – A Club or community organisation that has gone above and beyond the call of cricket to support communities/groups coming back to the game we love. Inspired to play – An Individual or group within your club or community organisation going above and beyond to open the game up to new audiences. Rising Star Award – Young volunteer making a difference – 11 – 16-year-olds Game changer – Young volunteer 17 – 25-year-olds making a difference in the game. Unsung hero – Those heroes who impact our game and help us make cricket happen. This could be ground staff, coaches, officials, umpires, or other volunteers. Growing the game – A league volunteer, committee member, or administrator going above and beyond to support clubs and help increase the number of games played. Lifetime achiever – That one individual who has given many years of service to your club or community group you could not do without. Cricket innovators – Someone who has brought new ideas and/or implemented new systems to improve your club or community group. Safe Hands - An individual that has gone above and beyond to create a positive and inclusive environment for young people to enjoy the game Inclusivity champion award - Reward and recognise clubs that create an inclusive environment and go well beyond the norm to make cricket a game for all Tackling Climate Change - A Club or community organisation that is addressing the threat climate change poses to cricket, by making sustainable changes to operations, adapting their facilities and/or engaging their local community. Volunteer Grounds Management Team of the Year – An opportunity to reward and recognise those volunteers who are working hard and improving the places where the game is played All Stars Cricket and/or Dynamos Cricket Activator of the Year - An activator who has shown enthusiasm, has been innovative and organised at their All Stars and/or Dynamos Cricket sessions this summer. How Can You Nominate Someone? You can nominate someone by clicking here to complete an online form to nominate someone. The deadline for all nominations is Friday the 21st of July 2023, with the county winners being put forward for the national awards. Where will the awards take place? The awards will take place on Sunday the 17th of September 2023 at the magnificent Wormsley Estate as part of our Awards and Finals Day.
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Coaching Courses Update 2023/24
19/09/2023Oxfordshire Cricket are delighted to announce a variety of Coaching and First Aid courses for the winter months. See below for more details on course dates and links to book: Core Coach (Level 2) Dewey Sports Centre (Bloxham School) on 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th October from 9.00am to 4.30pm. This course is SOLD OUT First Aid at Horspath Cricket Club on Thursday 12th October from 6.00pm to 9.00pm. Course cost is £45 and you can book HERE Foundation Course (Level 1) Moulsford School on 19th and 26th November from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Course cost is £150 (Bursaries Available). Limited spaces left, please book HERE Core Coach (Level 2) Cokethorpe School on 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th February from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Course cost is £300 (Bursaries available) and you can book HERE Foundation Course (Level 1) Headington School on 30th March and 6th April (please note when booking this is half term so double-check your availability). Course runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm each day. Course cost is £150 (Bursaries available) and you can book HERE Which course is right for you? Foundation Courses are designed to coach softball cricket and pitched at a beginner level. You can read more about the Foundation Course HERE Core Coach courses are designed to coach hardball cricket and are suitable for players at beginner and intermediate stages of cricket. You can read more about the Core Coach course HERE Click HERE for more information on choosing the right course for you. Prerequisites for each course: 18 years of age Valid safeguarding training e.g. Safeguarding Young Cricketers Valid ECB Disclosure and Barring Service check. Bursaries available: We have a number of bursaries available (for courses booked before 31st January 2024). The bursaries are available as follows: 100% - for those in financial hardship 75% - for those coaches that are female, from ethnically diverse communities or those with a disability. You can find out more about our bursaries, and apply HERE If you would like more details about any of our upcoming coaching or First Aid courses, do not hesitate to contact Ed Wilson on ewilson@oxoncb.com.
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Oxford Crowned 2023 Hartwell Cup Champions
19/09/2023Oxford produced a terrific fightback to lift the Hartwell Senior Cup and be crowned Oxfordshire T20 champions for the first time in 11 years with a 30-run win over local rivals Horspath in a low-scoring encounter at Wormsley. With the game reduced to 15 overs-a-side following torrential rain shortly before the scheduled start, Oxford were restricted to 85-6 after choosing to bat in the showpiece decider on Oxon T20 Finals Day. But then they produced an excellent display with the ball to send Horspath crashing to 55 all out and end a wait stretching back to 2012 since their last triumph in the competition formerly known as the Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup. It was only fantastic work by the ground staff which enabled the game to take place following a 90-minute delay with the super sopper the star of the day as it removed 5000 litres of water from the flat sheet covers on the square. Manan Parmar and skipper George Tait put on 27 off five overs for Oxford's first wicket in front of a crowd of around 100 before Jehan Mohammed (2-12) came into the attack and trapped the captain lbw for 12. With boundaries and wickets in the picturesque setting somewhat incongruously greeted by music and pyrotechnics, leg-spinner Josh Richardson (2-11) then struck with his first delivery when Justin Clarke ran in from long off to take a good catch above his head to dismiss Dominic Whinfrey and make it 28-2. As mist lifted from the trees on the surrounding Chiltern hills under grey skies, conditions were favourable for seam bowling while the pitch was also amenable to spin, and Richardson knocked Jack Wilkins's middle stump out of the ground, before Mohammed removed Harvey Jupp's leg stump to make it 44-4 in the 10th over. Parmar, though, continued to accumulate the runs while surviving a chance to mid-wicket to collect his second boundary, adding 31 for the fifth wicket with Dylan Swanepoel, who made 14 before being caught by skipper Amin Rafiq at cover off Tyrone Eyles. Parmar had made 35 from 43 deliveries when he was run out at the non-striker's end off the final delivery by Charlie Turner's throw from deep mid-on as he attempted a second. However, it was to prove a match-winning innings with the real merit of his knock only borne out when Horspath came to bat. The three-time winners made a disastrous start in reply with Christopher Hofen run out off the second ball. With Oxford's bowlers, led by left-arm seamer Swanepoel (2-10), turning the screw plus another run out, Horspath were quickly in disarray at 27-6. Richardson was the only batsman to make double figures, striking 16 off 15 balls, but when he holed out to Whinfrey at mid-wicket off Jupp's left-arm spin to leave Horspath 42-8, Oxford were on the brink of victory. To add to Horspath's agony, Rafiq suffered a calf injury. He batted on with a runner, before being the last man out when he was bowled by Jupp, who finished with 3-6 off eight balls. It capped a stunning fightback by Oxford with Tait (2-13) and Wilkins (1-11) the other wicket-takers as Horspath subsided in just 12.2 overs to finish runners-up for a second consecutive year. Scores: Oxford 85-6 (15ovs, M Parmar 35), Horspath 55 (12.2ovs, H Jupp 3-6).
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Henley Crowned 2023 Wilf Bennett Cup Champions
19/09/2023Henley were crowned 2023 Wilf Bennett Cup Champions on Sunday 17th of September at Wormsley after securing a five wicket win over Thame in a close match. After Henley won the toss, they put Thame into bat. Thame got off to a good start with opener Ubaid Kiani scoring an impressive 66 not out off 49 balls. He was supported by captain Luke Hayes (21) and Hassam Mushtaq (44) as they posted a competitive 180-3 off their twenty overs. In response, Henley got off to a flyer in their chase with Johnny Connell hitting 89 off just 37 balls, as he was supported by fellow opener Liam Hilditch who hit 45 off 43. This took the match into the final over, as Harry Jordan hit a four off the second ball in the final over to secure a five wicket win for Henley before the rain started to fall. To view the full match scorecard click here
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