We won the toss and batted first, under greying skies, with some rain falling soon after. Moreton and Henchley got us off to a good start, but the latter, after two lovely boundaries, fell to a rather ambitious drive for 10. Moreton and Townsend continued the rapid start – 42 off the first 6 overs, before two extremely eventful overs. Townsend hit the first two balls for four and six, then sliced the fourth to gully where he was put down, only for the fielder to run Moreton out with a direct hit. Two balls later, Watkins skied a catch for a second-ball duck. The start of the eighth over saw Braine bowled first ball. Stevens responded to our having lost 3 wickets in four balls by hitting three of the next balls for four. This started a good partnership of 62 between two of our rugby specialists, though Townsend in particular played some lovely, elegant textbook shots, including an on-drive for four and another late-cut, placed between two fielders. Stevens fell for 25, as did both Thomases (Alfie 5, Sam 6) in the final overs. Patrick in his first cricket match since 2023 struck his first ball for six, but could not get Townsend on strike in time for him to reach a half-century, as he finished 47* . from 40 balls (5 fours, 1 six).

Our total of 151 was good, but with one short boundary and a lightning-quick outfield.

Bloxham’s opening bowler also opened the batting and took full toll of anything short (and our bowling was on the whole a bit short). Patrick continued to look as if he had been playing regularly all year, with just four singles and a wide off his opening three overs. As in our innings, a good start was wrecked by a spell of three wickets in four balls. Perry got the first breakthrough with a top-edged pull well held by A. Thomas at fine leg, before bowling their no 3 for a golden duck. Patrick then caught a huge skier off his own bowling to leave Bloxham on 26-3. Dowson continued to play well and had reached 39 off 29 when he hit a short ball to Braine. Even then Bloxham continued go for it, and the half way point was reached with them four wickets down, but slightly ahead of the required rate. They were even further ahead when their number 5, who had previously scored 10 ones and 5 fours off his 15 balls, hit Stevens hard, but straight to Braine at cover for a sharp catch. When Owen got two wickets in his next over (including another catch, this time a dolly to Braine), we were firmly on top. Perry returned to pick up a third wicket (3-29). There was still time for one more fielding wicket for Braine: this time a brilliant stop left the batter well out of his ground as Watkin completely demolished the stumps. A. Thomas clean bowled Bloxham’s last man as we won by 31 runs.

WS 151-6 (Townsend 47*) beat Bloxham 120 a.o. by 31 runs.

MVP – Townsend, with the highest score on either side

Champagne moment – shared between Patrick’ hitting his first ball faced since 2023 season for a big six over long-on; and Braine’s fine run out for his fourth wicket in the field.

Thanks to Mr Drew (umpire) and Cottom for operating the scoreboard.