After a decent start between openers George Ford and Adam Bradley, it was Bradley who fell first, to Heath. Captain Abbley joined Ford at the crease, but it wasn’t long before Ford himself missed a straight one. Tom Waller strolled in at 4, and it was his and Abbley’s job to steady the ship. All was going swimmingly, until Abbley was struck on the pad to a ball angled into him. Much to his dismay, the umpires’ finger was raised, and he had to go. This brought Anton Lovatt in, and he and Waller played very well in a good partnership. AKCC seemed to be gaining some momentum, before they were both dismissed only a few overs apart, scoring 33 and 28 respectively. Ashton’s lower-middle order tried to wrestle the momentum back, but were not quite able to, finishing 174 all out for 39.4.

After a quick tea it was time for Oakridge’s reply. Early wickets would be crucial for the Pioneers and that was just what they got, with Mark Brookes taking a fine catch atbackward point off Lovatt’s back-of-a-length bowling. However, one did not bring two, and Ashton were made to toil in the field as the second-wicket partnership passed the 100 mark.

Ashton Keynes were giving it their all, but Oakridge’s batsmen had settled into a relaxed and sensible rhythm. The door, however, was forced open by AKCC as Waller had Woodcock caught behind for 54, and then Lovatt had Bryant for 62 in consecutive overs. But the door was slammed shut as Oakridge were able to find the boundary all too regularly for the Pioneers liking. The winning runs were hit in the 33rd over, giving Oakridge a 7-wicket victory.

Another great effort by the AKCC team, but 174 was just too few run to defend.