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Aston Rowant win Hartwell Trophy

Aston Rowant lift Hartwell Trophy for first time

Aston Rowant lifted the Hartwell Trophy for the first time with an eight-wicket win over holders Horspath on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in a rain-affected final at Challow & Childrey.

Making their fourth straight appearance in Oxfordshire’s showpiece T20 decider, Horspath posted a competitive 146-8 after electing to bat.
Rowant’s reply stood at 51-1 off six overs with Derval Green having produced a cracking delivery to bowl Chris Watling for 18 when rain forced the players off resulting in a 53-minute interruption and seeing the target revised to 99 from 13 overs.
With three overs remaining, Rowant required 27 to win, but then captain Tristan Rossouw, who averaged 133 in this season’s competition coming into the final, hit two mighty sixes over long on to put his side firmly in the driving seat.
He brought up his half-century off 34 balls with two runs to backward square leg in the penultimate over before being trapped lbw for 51 attempting a reverse sweep off left-arm spinner Sam Leslie’s next delivery. His fine knock also included four fours as he shared a second-wicket stand of 52 with Tom Condon (16no).
Rowant required four to win off the last over bowled by Green and despite the Jamaican’s best efforts they got home at 99-2 when Condon scrambled a quick single with a ball to spare.
It was a somewhat unsatisfactory conclusion to a contest which had seen Horspath, bidding for a fifth final success, recover from the loss of an early wicket with some positive strokeplay seeing Stephen Green and opener Tyron Eyles put on 57 in eight overs.
Green mixed some powerful cover drives with highly effective use of the reverse sweep, while Eyles pulled a six over mid-wicket as the boundaries flowed to the accompaniment of loud music.
Green made 31 off 24 balls before lofting a drive off Sebastian Grocutt (2-30) to Rossouw at mid-off, sparking a mini collapse.
Two runs later, Eyles fell to Luke Hayes for 19 as Finley Little took a good catch falling backwards at long on.
It was soon 65-5 with Rossouw striking twice in the space of three balls and Rowant were on top.
However, Derval Green and Rob Wight rebuilt the innings with a sixth-wicket stand of 61 inside eight overs.
Green played the leading role with some lusty blows and deft touches. He smashed a six over mid-wicket before bringing up the 100 with a four which split two fielders at long on and then hammered another maximum over square leg.
The West Indian all-rounder was closing in on a half-century when he was caught by Watling at long on off Grocutt for an excellent 48 off 30 balls, making it 126-6.
Sravan Konidena (15no) peppered the pavilion with a six in Horspath’s final flourish, which saw Wight’s sensible innings end when he was stumped by Jamie Revill for 16 as Rossouw finished with 3-34.
Rowant’s run chase began in light rain with Watling and Rossouw unleashing a flurry of boundaries to put them in the ascendancy before the break in play led to a revised target, which they achieved in a tight finish.
Horspath 146-8 (20ovs, D Green 48, S Green 31, T Rossouw 3-34), Aston Rowant 99-2 (12.5ovs, T Rossouw 51). Aston Rowant won by 8 wkts (DLS Method).

Match Report: Oxfordshire Over 70s County Champions

Over 70s County Champions!

But it’s a shared title with Kent after a rain wrecked final ends in stalemate

The joint Oxs/Berks Over 70s XI were crowned County Champions this week alongside their
play-off final opponents Kent when their Championship game at Cheshunt CC fell victim to
the weather after just 28 overs of the first innings.
The game only went ahead after an 8.00 am pitch inspection and when the captains went
out to make the toss just before midday both were praying the coin would come down in their
favour as there was little by way of a decision to make.

It was a case of win the toss, field first and use the conditions to restrict the batting side to a
low score or indeed bowl them out, to leave a nice easy chase in better batting conditions
later in the day in during the second innings. And it was Kent who looked to hold all the aces when they won the toss and ask the joint Oxs/Berks XI to bat.

With the ball unsurprisingly nipping around off the pitch, the visitors’ openers Derek Watts
and Ian Stuart were in no hurry and initially looked to see off the Kent opening attack of
Derek Towe and Terry Edwards.
Survival and risk free accumulation looked to be the name of the game but Watts refused to
be tied down as he struck four boundaries during his half hour stay at the crease.
Stuart meanwhile was battling away and keeping the scoreboard ticking over nicely and the
pair had taken the score on to 31 in the 8 th over before Towe managed to sneak one through
the defences of Watts to bowl him for 18 off 24 deliveries.

New batsman Charlie Anderson dug in beside Stuart but both found run scoring difficult and
the pair only added a single in the next two overs before Stuart was trapped lbw for nine off
28 balls again by Towe.

New batsman Ian Harvey fought gamely but could only manage three in 23 balls before he
was trapped in front by first change bowler Stephen Simonini when the score was on 44, and
a further three was all that was added before the obdurate Anderson was removed for nine
off 31 balls when he was caught by Chris Swadkin, again off the bowling of Simonini.
Skipper Adrian Manger (12 not out) and Pete Burrowns (two not out) then steadied the ship
somewhat as they added 16 priceless runs for the fifth wicket before the umpires called a
halt to proceedings at the end of the 28th over.

No further play was possible and given the fixture had already been postponed from the
previous week – reluctantly both sides had to accept the inevitability of a shared title.

After the game a frustrated but resigned Ox/Berks skipper Adrian Manger said: “Nobody
wants to see a long hard season of competitive cricket left undecided in this manner but we
can’t fix the weather.

“Winning the toss was vital and it was soon very clear that batting was never going to be
easy, but we were hanging in there and were just starting to turn things around when the rain
came.

“Had we been able to bat on and maybe post 140 or 150 it would have taken some getting
and we would definitely have been in with a shout if we’d picked up one or two early wickets.
Sadly we’ll never know what might have been.

“Its been a great season and its been a privilege to captain a squad that, despite only
coming together in 2024, this year truly lived up to its full potential by only losing one game
to eventually go all the way to this final round, where they battled hard in extreme conditions
to remain in the tie with a shot at winning before the game was washed out.”

Match Report by R.Clapp

Team News – Oxfordshire Women v Shropshire 21st September 2025

Disability Cricket Annual Report

Report by R. Giles

Oxfordshire Disability Cricket
Annual Report 2025

Richard Giles – Head of Oxfordshire Disability Cricket

What a year this has been for Oxfordshire Disability Cricket with an
expansion of the programme we are now delivering inclusive cricket to
more young people and adults than ever before. We now have six Hubs
covering all parts of the county and have also delivered SEND sessions
to fifteen Special Schools and Colleges.
This has been made possible thanks to the funding and support from
The Lords Taverners and The England and Wales Cricket Board but also
the fantastic backing given to the programme by the Oxfordshire Cricket
Board. Nick Pinhol has played such an important role in our
development as Head of Participation and his appointment as Managing
Director of Oxfordshire Cricket is so well deserved and we look forward
to working with him in the years to come. An old friend and past
colleague, Shaz Khan, has returned to the county as Head of
Participation and his knowledge and experience will help us all,
especially in the drive to further expand the Disability Programme.
The Lords Taverners Super 1’s programme delivering Table Cricket,
Softball Cricket and Hardball Cricket via our six hubs and The ECB/LT’s
SEND programme delivering the same activities to fifteen special
schools and colleges have helped over 200 young people and adults to
develop as individuals through cricket. We have also run three
workshops throughout the year covering health, work experience and
first aid and because we encourage parents, grandparents, carers and
other family members to join us at our Super 1’s sessions we have
become a close group offering support and guidance to each other. The
phrase ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ is so true within the
Disability Cricket family.
The expansion of the programme did not happen without a lot of
planning and hard work and the appointment of Charlotte Jennings as
Community Coach has enabled us, via Lords Taverners funding, to
allocate the majority of her time to the programme and the SEND
schools delivery. Her experience, coaching knowledge and empathetic
approach has made her so popular with everyone involved with
Oxfordshire Disability Cricket. She has also worked hard to become a

Coach Developer and featured in The ECB’s recent match day
programmes as the perfect role model for females in cricket. Well done
Charlotte!
My thanks also go to all the people that support our programme. The
family members who help out at our social ‘get togethers’, who transport
our participants to games and give help and advice to us all.
The 380 plus sessions, we deliver throughout the year, would also not
be possible without the trained volunteer coaches that help out on a
weekly basis. Lucy Hunter, Chris Cordell and David Mayers all have their
own stories to tell but are so important to myself and Charlotte and we
are so grateful to them for their help and experience.
Lucy was diagnosed as Autistic, when she was at college, and has
played in The Disability Premier League as well as representing
Middlesex in D40 cricket. Now committed to Oxfordshire she is such an
asset to the programme.
Chris has a son with ADHD, who is in the programme, and gives us the
help and knowledge that enables us to understand and react to various
situations that we encounter.
David is the Disability Cricket Lead at one of our Disability Champion
Cricket Clubs, a retired Orthopaedic Nurse his knowledge and
experience is priceless.
Finally I want to acknowledge and say a massive well done to two of our
participants who have been recognised for their contribution to Disability
Cricket locally and nationally.
Tom Jackson was our Disability Player of The Year in 2024. Tom is one
of our Down Syndrome players and has been with us for five years,
since he was thirteen. His enthusiasm is so infective and he will help set
up any session he attends. He would come to every hub sessions if he
could and we are so grateful to his family, especially his Nanny & Pappy,
for bringing him along and being such supportive grandparents.
Harry Watts is one of our older players and as well as being a very
decent cricketer is also a football referee. Harry is one of life’s doers and
when the opportunity arose to train for and become a Lords Taverners
Young Ambassador he jumped at the opportunity and is well respected
in that role. He has also begun a career with Chiltern Railways and we
know he will be successful and respected going forward.

Team News – Oxfordshire Women v Cricket East 14th September 2025

Moreton Mavericks win Home Counties Women’s Cricket League Premier Division

Report by T.Haworth

Back to back Home Counties titles for the mighty Mavericks!

It’s often said that winning a title is one thing, but keeping hold of it is actually the truest test of a champion’s status. Having won the Home Counties Women’s Cricket Premier League in 2024, that was precisely the challenge facing Moreton Mavericks this year. Based in the tiny village of North Moreton, known mainly for The Bear pub (a Maverick sponsor, along with local estate agent Singleton & Daughter) & its 167 year old cricket club, the giant killers have returned with another premiership title, defeating their much bigger cousins from Beaconsfield, Binfield, Charlbury, Newbury, Oxford, Stony Stratford & Thame. The Mavericks recruited a 21 year old New Zealander, as their first ever overseas player, to prepare for the inevitably fierce challenge that awaits reigning champs. Competition in the league this year was indeed noticeably strong, with no soft contests and in fact every team lost at least 3 times in the 14 match programme.

Maverick’s skipper, Georgia Haworth cited squad depth as a significant factor in their achievement: “Huge thanks & congratulations to the 35 Girls who represented the club in the Premier league this season and with several injuries to key players, we were very grateful to have that extra capacity at our disposal, making it very much a squad success this Summer.”

Moreton Cricket Club President Mike Howat was also fulsome in his praise: “We were all delighted at Moreton to see the Mavericks retain their Home Counties Women’s Premier League title. As a small village club we continue to punch above our weight in this competition and great credit goes to captain Georgia Haworth and her squad.”

With Thame Town taking some notable scalps in the Premier league and near neighbours Steventon also winning a Division 2 title, confirmation that female cricket in South Oxfordshire is certainly thriving.The Mavs also picked up the GU18 county title this year, indicating that their talent pathway is in rude health; preparations for 2026 are already well underway!

If you would like to join or help the Mavericks, where all ages & ability are catered for, please visit https://moretoncc.org/ for more information, or contact Tim Haworth (Coach/ Manager) direct [email protected]

OXFORDHSIRE SENIORS SHARE OVER 70S NATIONAL CUP WITH KENT AFTER RAIN

Aston Rowant CC crowned U19 League Champions

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

Bowling:

• Rory Nicholson (Cumnor) v Aston Rowant: 4-22 (3)
• Alfie List (Oxford Downs) v Aston Rowant: 3-20 (3.1)

Batting:

• Dylan Driscoll (Cumnor) v Banbury: 106 (56)
• Chris Hofen (Cumnor) v Banbury: 87 (57)
• Ben Miller (Banbury) v Cumnor: 58 (45)
• Rory Nicholson (Cumnor) v Aston Rowant: 55* (46)
• Xavier Garvs (Aston Rowant) v Cumnor: 52* (35)
• Will Ison (Oxford Downs) v Aston Rowant: 48 (48)
• Conor Rogan (Aston Rowant) v Cumnor: 43 (24)

Full scorecards HERE

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