Aston Rowant CC crowned U19 League Champions

08/09/2025 by Tariq Rahim

Aston Rowant CC were crowned champions of the U19s League after fantastic victories against Oxford Downs CC and Cumnor CC.

Game 1

Aston Rowant booked their place in the U19 Finals Day showpiece with a hard-fought 25-run victory over Oxford Downs in the opening semi-final. Having won the toss and chosen to bat first, Rowant posted 148 all out in 19.1 overs, a total underpinned by a series of valuable contributions through the order. After a brisk start from Conor Rogan (16) and Jack Veal (19), Teddy Purushothaman anchored the innings with 23 before falling with the score on 75. Oxford Downs wrestled back control through disciplined bowling spells, with Alfie List (3-20) and Charlie Sutton (2-22) both making crucial breakthroughs. Even so, a rapid-fire 27 from just 10 balls by Jack North late on gave Rowant vital momentum, lifting them to a competitive total despite being bowled out with five balls unused.

Oxford Downs’ reply began shakily, as Sholto Hunt and Joe Botha departed cheaply to leave them 11 for 2. Captain Charlie Sutton (29) and the in-form Will Ison rebuilt steadily with a third-wicket partnership worth 46, before Sutton was dismissed shortly after the halfway stage. Ison then combined with Will Owens to keep the chase alive, both playing composed innings under pressure. Ison’s 48 from 48 balls provided the backbone, while Owens struck 27 off 26, but once both fell in quick succession, the required rate became too steep. Downs eventually closed on 123 for 6 from their 20 overs, falling short despite a promising middle-order effort.

For Rowant, Logan Rainbow (1-12) and Jacob Eaton (1-16) applied key pressure in the powerplay, while Oliver Veal and captain Lewis North also chipped in with wickets to keep Downs in check. With sharp fielding and two run outs further stalling the chase, Rowant’s all-round effort proved decisive. Their blend of explosive batting at the death and disciplined bowling throughout ensured they progressed to the final, while Downs were left to rue missed opportunities in a match that ebbed and flowed before being settled in the final overs.

Game 2

Cumnor were to join Aston Rowant in the U19 Finals Day decider with a dominant batting display that set up a commanding 76-run win over Banbury. Having won the toss and electing to bat, Cumnor’s openers Chris Hofen and Dylan Driscoll tore into the bowling from the outset, racing to fifty inside six overs and reaching three figures by the 11th over. Both brought up half-centuries in quick succession, with Driscoll continuing his assault to a brilliant century from just 53 balls, striking eight sixes and nine fours in a match-defining innings. Hofen provided perfect support with a classy 87 from 57 balls before eventually falling in the closing overs, while the pair’s 183-run opening stand effectively batted Banbury out of the contest. Despite a late flurry of wickets, Cumnor powered to 223 for 3 from their 20 overs, leaving their opponents facing a daunting chase.

Banbury’s reply faltered almost immediately as Tom Finlay was bowled first ball, followed soon after by James Bristow and Murray Scott, leaving them struggling at 36 for 3. Ben Miller offered defiance with a composed half-century, making 58 from 45 balls and finding some support from Dan Shevket (21) and later William Rorich (21). However, the required rate spiralled out of reach against disciplined bowling. Cumnor shared the wickets around, with Will Simpson (2-22), Rory Nicholson (2-23) and Alex Oliver (2-15) all making crucial breakthroughs. Regular dismissals prevented any sustained momentum for Banbury, who closed on 147 for 7 from their 20 overs.

In the end, the platform laid by Hofen and Driscoll proved decisive, their opening stand being the clear difference between the sides. Banbury showed resistance through Miller’s fighting knock, but the scale of the target and Cumnor’s control with the ball ensured a one-sided finish. With such an emphatic victory, Cumnor advanced to the final brimming with confidence and momentum.

Final

Aston Rowant were crowned U19 county champions after edging past Cumnor in a tense, shortened (due to light) final that delivered drama right to the closing overs. Asked to bat first in a 14-over contest, Rowant suffered early setbacks as Jack Veal and Teddy Purushothaman fell cheaply to leave them 14 for 2. Conor Rogan then counter-attacked with a fluent 43 from 24 balls, striking four boundaries and three sixes, before he was dismissed with the score on 69. The innings was steadied superbly by Xavier Garvs, who anchored proceedings with a composed unbeaten 52 from 35 deliveries. Though wickets tumbled around him, including a four-wicket burst from Cumnor’s Rory Nicholson (4-22), Garvs held firm to lift his side to 135 for 8. Extras also proved costly for Cumnor, as 16 runs came via wides and no-balls to boost Rowant’s total.

Cumnor’s reply was built around Nicholson, who followed his heroics with the ball by compiling a fine 55 not out from 46 balls. He found early support from Dylan Driscoll (24) and later a rapid cameo from Tom Murkett (24 off 14), which kept the chase alive. However, regular breakthroughs at key moments stemmed their momentum. Oliver Veal and Logan Rainbow struck early to remove Driscoll and Hofen, while Purushothaman’s double strike, including the vital wicket of Murkett, left Cumnor with too much to do. Despite Nicholson’s valiant effort, Cumnor closed on 116 for 4, 20 runs short of their target.

Rowant’s success was a testament to their balance between aggression and resilience. Garvs’ calm half-century underpinned their innings, while a collective bowling effort ensured that Cumnor were always just behind the rate. In a final shaped by standout individual performances, it was Aston Rowant who held their nerve under pressure to secure the trophy and cap off a memorable Finals Day triumph.

Top performances

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