Witney Swifts CC

It was a miserable day with a grey overcast clouds as the teams trundled into the home of cricket for a match against promotion chasing Bampton.

With the absence of skipper Woodenleg and also vice captain Derek Errol Craig Kesser Bushwaker took control of the team with another 2s debutante and star for the future Max Harley Davison appearing in a young looking side.

Kesser broke with tradition and only went and won a toss. Choosing to put Bampton in with the hope that points might be garnered if, as the forecast predicted, heavy rain put an early end to proceedings.

Opening the bowling with Ben Wig Craig and Jonty F1 McLaren put the opening batsman immediately under pressure. The capture of grumpy opener Shepherd for 5 was pleasing. The bowling unit worked well together Vicky Apples Strudel (3) and Pratters (2) removed the Bampton middle order. Young Harley Davison bowled a good 5 over spell and was unlucky not to get a couple of wickets. However, the star performance was again by Jonty whose 3 for 17 was a superb performance on a misbehaving wicket.

Only brother Pitt the elder and Pitt the younger showed any resistance, both with 40’s. Bampton were all out for 132 in 31.4 overs.

Due to the swiftness of the Bampton collapse the players went straight back on. Swifts loosing opener and soul legend David Craig before tea was taken.

The tea was a superlative effort by Mrs. Sue Strode , carrot cake, scones with cream and jam and range of delicious fare was greatly appreciated. The sandwiches were constructed by Apples Studel and were really very close to being sandwiches so well done!

After tea the colossus that is Kesser Bushwaker strode back to the crease with Wig Craig hoping to carry on from their partnership of last week, sadly Bushwaker fell to a superb ball from one of the Botty brothers. Ben (32) rode his luck being dropped twice but managed to share in a partnership of 44 with Jonty.

A further partnership of 24 between Big Hitter Pratters and Jonty pushed Swifts nearer to victory. The win was rounded of by a final flourish from Stretch Jonno and Jonty. Jonno getting a good 19 not out including the only 6 of the day.

Swifts win by 6 wickets. Bampton a bit cheesed off as it has probably destroyed any hope of promotion for them this season, but it has also moved Swifts well out of the relegation zone.

Champagne moment was the fantastic run out by Ben Wig Craig who threw down the stumps from some distance from mid wicket.

Man of the match goes to: Jonty F1 McClaren for a top notch bowling performance as well as a solid, watchful and ultimately match winning performance with the bat.