1982

1982 saw a change at the helm with Bob Campbell taking over the reins as captain. However the squad remained the same and optimism was high that the team could make it three promotions on the trot.
However this looked less than likely in the first match of the campaign at home to Eydon. With Marshall & Bloom both absent the visitors rattled up 170-9 in their 40 overs which on an early season wicket was going some and far too many for Bodicote, 61 all out. The deadly duo returned the week afterwards and Bloom's 5-9 helped dismiss Twyford for 60. At 35-8 victory looked unlikely but the nerveless Bristow, who rarely let the situation in a game bother him, added 24 for the 9th wicket with Marshall before falling for 27. No 11 Bloom hit his second ball for 4 to secure an unlikely win. Next stop was Hinton-in the-Hedges which in those days was Hinton-through-the-farmers-field-on-top-of-a-hill and as rustic a ground as you could come across where cows tended the outfield. Another batting collapse saw Bodicote manage 63 which the home side knocked off for 1 in under 12 overs. Onto Preston Capes where the outfield had not been tended by anything for weeks and the grass was 2 feet high. Preston managed 68 all out which given the state of the outfield and Bodicote's batting form up till then was pretty competitive. Memorably just as Bris was about to bowl the previously docile horses in the field behind him neighed into life. Alan's equine/bovine nature always seemed to rouse the horse, sheep or cows att he more rural SNCL locations. The long meant that the best tactic was to boserve that there was plenty of room in the air and if there was one man to hit the ball up there it was Gary Harker who came good with 49 NO.
Bodicote's blossoming relationship with Charlton was developed the following week. Despite 38 from Brain J (Taylor R) the home team were bundled out for 86 with Thurby taking 4 for 1! The total was easily reached with the skipper 39 NO. League leaders Thornborough were visitors a week later and despite being 0-2 then moved onto 153-5 off 35 overs. Local legend Ronnie Gall may be remembered in the song "Ronnie Gall, Ronnie Gall when he hits the ball he gets **** all" but actually was a fine bat and hit 76 NO. Bodicote's reply of 89 meant they had fallen a long way off the pace.
Finmere away saw the meeting of the two promoted sides and scene of an epic rain affected encounter the previous year. There was nothing epic about the match which Bodicote won 85-8, 26 all out apart from the figures of Michael Cook 5 for 4. Cook, with Alan Bristow gave the team an improved depth of bowling talent. What sticks in the memory most about the day was the world's worst tea - two sandwiches and one chocolate biscuit each served at the local pub by a new landlord. In those days Bodicote's appetite was more than healthy and teas were generally devoured with great gusto so it was surprising the team were in any condition to bowl and field after the meagre offering.
There were even caravan rallies in those days so the next home game against Claydon was played at North Aston. Claydon's 63 was passed with 3 wickets down. Gary Harker took his average to 24 with 28 and opener Colin Parfitt improved on his average of 4 with 20 NO. The following week Bodicote's 97 against Middleton 'A' proved more than enough. The visitors, who included JR, current umpire John Rutland, not the Dallas oil baron, made just 27 - Marshall 6-10, Bloom 4-10. Twyford, and a pig of a pitch a week later. Who better than to draft in than Bodicote's own version of Brian Close, Kevin Quinn? Kevin had joined the club at the beginning of the season but had failed to break into the side so the club had yet to see his most eccentric side. Bodicote's 99 was easily enough as the home team made 45. Onto Eydon - a lovely place to play, who sadly folded in the mid 1990s having been the epitome of SNCL village cricket. From nowhere Paul Harper burst back into the team with a cheery "Alright lads?" "Alright boysee" and thumbs up no doubt. He took 4-11 as the home team made 84 which Bodicote passed for the loss of just one wicket thanks to an opening partnership of 74 between Campbell (44 NO) and Parfitt C (33). Their good form continued a week later as they added 58 against Hinton out of a total of 126. Hinton made 80-9 in reply with Harper bowling 11 no balls.
Preston Capes visited Bodicote next and amassed 151-7 with Marshallunfortunately injured having bowled 8 overs 1 for 7. However Bodicote were on a roll by now. Parfitt and Campbell put on 71 for the 1st wicket with Bob scoring the only half century of the season and Barlow & Harker finished off the job as the total was reached for the loss of only 4 wickets with 7 overs to spare.
Bodicote's seven match winning run had taken them up to second, just two points behind leaders Thornborough who they were to play next. With Marshall's injury preventing him from bowling Michael Cook did well with 6-45 as the home team made 132-7. Sadly this proved too many and Bodicote slipped to 80 all out to put the title out of reach. However the runners up spot was still up for grabs but Bodicote struggled to beat an 8-man Charlton side 75 - 76 for 7. It took an improved performance to win at Claydon who included former Bodicote man Pete Goodway in their ranks. The home side's 98 was passed with 4 wickets and 2 overs to spare. Promotion was clinched with a 121 - 54 win over Middleton "A" and the season ended with Bodicote making their highest league score of the time 181 against Finmere (PT 49) who were bowled out for 134 in reply. So promotion was achieved - a little disappointing not to have won the title but a poor early start to the season put pay to that. Captain Campbell lead from the front and was the only batsman to average over 20 (by 0.1). Harker, Woodruff, Miles and Parfitt C all provided support at different times of the season. Maurice finished with 38 wickets at an average of 7, Bloomy took 38 at 9.2. Alan Bristow took 12 wickets in the first 6 games but only 2 in the remaining 12 to finish with a "lot less wickets than I wanted to", Michael Cook's 19 were at an average of 5.6 in only six games.
As well as the SNCL Bodicote continued to compete in the Brackley Midlweek League and various cups with seemingly endless trips to Chacombe and Middleton and bizarrely two games at Helmdon on successive nights. At Middleton they came up against Glen Letheran who played in goal for Leeds amongst others and Wales. A number of Sunday friendlies were also played including a win at Alcan Labs, another ground sadly no longer in use, Farnborough, an unbelievable pitch where the grass off the square was 3 feet high in places, Warborough & Shillinngford, very posh and the team Rob Bowley's boss played for so a 6 run defeat went down badly with him. If you have ever wondered why Woody can't perform the long barrier in the field it is a result of a trip to Aynho which saw Woody hit in the face whilst fielding when a ball reared up off the outfield. In the last game of the season Bodicote achieved their highest ever score - a record that still exists today - when TV Rogers of Blisworth (but not for much longer) brought over a "team" for a friendly. Bodicote made 268-5 in 37 overs. Col Parfitt, not a man to look a gift horse in the mouth, ground out 52 in an hour and three quarters whilst Bristow happily hit 122 NO in 90 minutes. This was the first time a Bodicote player had reached three figures. Blisworth made 148 with TV scoring 33 (more than he has ever got for us!)
So three years after finishing bottom of Division Four the team would be entering the top flight of the SNCL in 1983 and walk with the Gods - Wardington, Middleton, Byfield et al.

1983

Another promotion even before the season had started saw a place in SNCL Division One upgraded to the Faccenda Premier Division thanks to a sponsorship deal with the local poultry suppliers that saw new balls provided for each game.

Unfortunately for Bodicote a number of players were off to improve themselves for much of the summer - Col Parfitt & Maurice Marshall to Exeter Uni, Michael Cook to Bath Uni, Alan Bristow to Leeds Uni and Ivan Veall to the meat counter at Gateway (now Somerfields). His job earned him the sobriquet Rasher and prevented regular Saturday appearances for most of the season but allowed him to captain the midweek side. Another player not able to play on Saturdays was Skipper Bob Campbell who stood down due to child care duties on Saturdays meaning that Ian Bloom took over at the helm. Budding thespian Gerald Heys was appointed secretary which had disaster written all over it. Fortunately Stephen Barlow was later able to execute a bloodless coup in taking over the post when his sandwich course placement saw him return home to work at Export Packing at Chipping Warden a hot bed of SNCL cricketers akin to the Woodford railway yard of the 1930s.

The season kicked off with a visit to one of the big three - Byfield. This was to prove a veritable baptism of fire and Bodicote were bundled out for 47 with only PT (14) making double figures. Debutants for Bodicote were Alcan man Eric Barlow and Rugby club stalwart Graham Source. The home team reached this with two wickets down inside 12 overs with the fear of rain hurrying them to through to their target. The dreadful weather was a feature for the first third of the season with the sun not appearing until mid-June. The conditions gave Arthur just the excuse not to cut the outfield so it was lush and soggy when Long Buckley visited the next week. They still managed to reach 120-2 off 33 overs after an opening spell from Harper and the previously metronome Bloom which saw the ball sprayed high, wide, low and generally all over the place. It was great shame for Ian who took on the captaincy then saw his own performance plummet, never regaining the consistency of old. In response Bodicote made 38 with John Harding, a friend of Barrow's from University, top scoring with 12 as the team lost their last four wickets for 0 runs including a second ball duck for No 11 newcomer Swanson P.

More new players the week after included Chris Reynolds, Mark Faux and another Barlow Uni. friend, David (Dixie) Dean. Westbury visited on another miserable Saturday and Bodicote at least managed some respectability scoring 83 with Al Parfitt making 30 and Woody 21. Dean had played a couple of good shots but was run out by Reynolds much to his chagrin as the latter poked around in what was to become trademark fashion failing to get the ball off the square. This was all the worse because the square only consisted of 4 strips Westbury easily reached their target with Al Parfitt's analysis 0.1 overs, 0 maidens, 0 wickets for 6 runs finishing off the game.

Week 4 saw the visit to Lords to play Wardington and this time the weather was poor enough to see the game rained off with Wardington champing at the bit for the easy five points on offer. King Sutton were the visitors the following week and with runs still hard to come by on a shin high wet outfield were dismissed for 93 with Woody taking 4-17.This again proved too much for the home side who managed 52, debutant Gerald Heys (wonder where on earth he is know) finished with six not out.

With Kingsfield not available for the next home game Bodicote played leaders Middleton Cheney at North Aston. Boosted by the return from Exeter of Marshall and Parfitt C we even managed three figures, 103-8, with Woody and PT both making 20s and another new boy Swanson M, heart throb of all Bicester, 11. As the rain clouds circled Middleton went for the quick win and SNCL legend Paul Wilkins and J R(utland - still umpiring to this day) both scored freely. However wickets for Barlow (surprisingly) and Paul Harper (miraculously) saw Middleton fall to 80-7 before edging home by three wickets - still at least we had competed for once.

The week after the sun shone at last as Bodicote made the long trip to fellow strugglers Thornborough where the home team rattled up 163-7. With the top three of Quinn, Miles and Richard Beard (a useful ringer from Warmington & Alcan) all scoring 20s the situation didn't look too bad at 96-3, unfortunately this became 113 all out to leave Bodicote marooned at the bottom of the league. Culworth also enjoyed the Bodicote bowling attack a week later as they managed 159-4 - how times have changed Fred Eaton batted at 4. However Bodicote made a spirited reply with Beard, Woodruff and Barlow all in the runs and at one stage were 122-6 before slumping to 127 all out.

The halfway point of the season came with Syresham the visitors - remarkably Bodicote's sixth home game in nine matches, John Blower's computer must have been playing up. Syresham's 126 which saw a four wicket haul for Paul Harper, proved over 100 too many as Bodicote managed just 23. They were blown away by Banbury School teacher Bob Prince's 7-7 and by all accounts he was just unplayable on the day. This game proved to be the last league game for Gary Harker. With no cheap runs on offer he had failed to make double figures up to that point of the season and chose to concentrate on his career as a traffic policeman - which offered the chance to drive fast cars and be pretty unpleasant to others who did so, ideal really. Still it gave Alan Parfitt the chance to occasionally take over with the gloves …. which suddenly took on a greasy sheen as the youngster found his feet behind the stumps, usually with the ball nestling next to them.

With Marshall, Parfitt C and Cook back in the fold for the second half of the campaign the team took on Byfield looking for the elusive first win. They spent much of the afternoon looking…for balls in the hedge as Byfield ran up 238-8 which in 40 overs on the hand-rolled Bodicote wicket of the time was a complete pasting. The openers, the legendary Cyril Green and Kevin Worrall put on 130 in the first 20 overs. Some of the bowling figures make grim reading, particularly as Marshall only went for 30 off his 12 and Thurby picked up 4-33 off 6 and claimed a "hat-trick" of two wickets in two balls and Nigel Cook timed out! In response Bodicote opted not to "chase" the target and settled for batting practice and made 137-6, their highest score to date with Col Parfitt scoring 40 and Quinn, Miles, Woodruff and Cook all making useful contributions. The team was further boosted the week after on the long trip to Long Buckby as The Fist, AKA Alan Bristow had also returned. The home side made 150-6 and Bodicote looked good at 100-3 with PT going well on 43. However when he fell the rot set in and only a few late order biffs from Bristow took the total onto 130.

Mid July and Westbury away and with Veall's time behind the bacon counter at an end he moved noisily into the side. Batting first Bodicote posted their best score of the season, 164-8. The team got off to good start with Col Parfitt (37) and PT putting on 85 for the second wicket. PT made 51, the first time a player reached his half century in the top flight and the first of many for Paul. The inevitable collapse followed but Veall with 30 helped the total on to 164. Bodicote's openers Marshall and Bristow both took 4 wickets to keep the team in the hunt but the rest of the attack were pasted round the ground. When the last over arrived stand-in captain Quinn entrusted the ball to Veall with the home side on 161-9 and he did the trick to leave Bodicote winners for the first time in 12 matches. The team duly celebrated in style at The Plough although the pub was experiencing a power cut. In the gloom Barlow suffered a nasty gash on his calf from a broken glass. On asking Young Jim for any medical help he was given a bar towel. An hour or so later the blood was finally staunched and the towel duly returned to be laid carefully back on the counter.

Leaders Wardington were in town the next week for their first visit to Kingsfield since the 1980 cup shock. They made 183-8 although Bodicote had the satisfaction of removing Ian Sloan for 0, c&b Thurby. Bodicote's response never got going and they made 102. Woody scored 30 and 20 came from the bat of stand-in captain Quinn, whose captaincy star was in the ascendancy at the time, remarkably as his future leadership skills came to the fore! King Sutton away and the teams improved batting form deserted them as they could only manage 87-9 with Al Parfitt top scoring on 26 NO. Surprisingly this looked a winning target as Sutton slumped to 33-8 thanks to 5-23 from Marshall but again the back up apart form Bristow was lacking and Sutton managed to wriggle free to win by one wicket. A visit to League front runners Middleton Cheney the week after saw a game which still frustrates the author 20 years on! The home team were restricted to 129-7 and in reply Bodicote made 113-5 with some desperate pottering about from the early order when just a little more oomph and victory could have been possible. To protect the names of the guilty stonewallers lets just say Flares & Ern.

Bodicote then produced their most abject performance in the second half of the season against Thornborough losing 117 all out, 118-2. The only highlight was Woody's 71. Woody was again in the runs with 35 at Culworth the following week where some later order hitting from Cook (33) and skipper Bloom (20) helped the team to 152-8. A couple of early wickets saw Dennis Cadd and Nigel Rush come together for the home side. Then came a song-inspiring moment as Rush edged a ball to keeper Parfitt off Michael Cook. Edge implies a thin contact, this was not, it could be heard all round the ground but unfortunately umpire Reynolds did not see/hear it. Rush did not improve the situation by announcing yes he had hit it but as he got some bad decisions he wasn't going to walk.

The song to the tune of Terry Jacks Seasons in the Sun -
We had joy we fun
we had Culworth on the run
but we couldn't stay in front
because Nigel Rush is a cheating c*** (I think you can guess the rest)

After this the wheels came off, Cook missed a skier of a caught and bowled and Rush's 71 helped the side to a 5 wicket win.

So to Syresham for the last game of an eventful campaign and the home side ground out 124-5 with opener Linford carrying his bat for 42 NO! Bodicote chose to open with the Parfitt brothers and they were both back in the pavilion with 4 on the board but PT (39 and Woody (56) helped the team to a six wicket victory and Ian Bloom's only success as captain in what proved a difficult season for him.

The team had undoubtedly found the step up in standard very difficult with no easy wickets or runs to be had. Woody and PT both did well with the bat and Maurice carried the bowling with good support from Bristow. However many other in the team did improve as could be seen in performances in the midweek league and a series of Sunday friendlies in the second half of the season.

Highlights on Sundays included a score of 216 at the Bartholomew Arms Blakesley where PT flicked one off his toes which such venom that it took out a pavilion window, narrowly missing the shocked home team's scorer on the way. PT scored 64 on the coconut matting at Greens Norton as the home side's 148 was reached with 6 wickets down. Bob Campbell (52) and Woody (47) put on 100 for the first wicket in a rain affected match at Priors. There were two fixtures against Grendon Underwood which were the fore-runners to today's annual Beaujolais Golf match. The first saw a resounding 172-6 to 134 all out win and the second on August Bank Holiday saw a ringer strengthened Grendon make 180-4 to which Bodicote replied with 177-7 with Woody scoring 53. Warborough were made to suffer for 49 overs as Bodicote ran up 234-8 with Bristow scoring 54. Veall took 6-10 as the visitors totalled 49 and quietly dropped Bodicote from their fixture list for being too competitive. Even Barlow got in on the act with 67 NO in a 167-5 to 100 all out win at Deddington. The team even managed to score 111 at Farnborough with its knee high outfield.

A rare loss came at Radway but it did produce one of the classic Bodicote fielding moments and a remarkable evening's entertainment. Early in the Radway innings a batsman played the ball to point and set off for a run, indecision set in and the two runners were both stranded in mid-pitch. The Bodicote fielder at point was Col Parfitt who it is fair to say was no Jonty Rhodes. Col picked up the ball and examined the options, a throw to either end and a run out would be achieved. He then delivered the ball in his inimitable shot putt fashion. The batsmen were surprised and relived to see the ball not go to either end but pass over their heads in mid-pitch. It's looping parabola ended at the feet of Barlow at mid -wicket. He was joined by square leg Blincowe and the two of them were slumped together in hysterics as the batsmen easily completed the run. Despite another fine innings of 66 from Woody Bodicote narrowly failed to reach the 175 target. All of this was captured on video by PT who had borrowed his father’s video recorder. Blincowe’s selection had been made on the basis that his parents owned a video player which in 1983 was not common but as the Blincowes had been the first house in Banbury with a colour telly back in the late 60s, not surprising. The game came before the Culworth song (see above) but did feature the other greatest Bodicote hit, to the tune of – well no tune really…

Have you heard of Botham and Mike Brearley?
Have you heard of the Road End, Headingley?
No said Joe I don’t think so
But I have heard of the Bodicote COW END

A trip to the Castle Inn saw the team meet Alexi Sayle and then after many drinks it was back the Blincowe house in Sinclair Ave to watch the video, sadly lost in the mists of time. Following this it was generally agreed that a team skinny dip was in order. The pool joined onto the house in a large greenhouse and there was a keyboard close by which allowed the talented Al Parfitt to do his impersonation of the start of Monty Python on the ivories. Unfortunately the pool was used to the sedate swimming of the Blincowe family and was damaged in the process but generously Mr & Mrs B did not seek payment for the damages!

To counter balance the lack of success on Saturday's the Veall captained midweek XI enjoyed a good season in the Brackley Midweek League. Many of the Saturday regulars played along with Bob Campbell, Nick Wills (Horley), John Coombes and occasionally the now sadly departed Paul Morgan. Morgers was an absolutely top man who was mainly a (superb) hockey goalkeeper who would have loved to have played more cricket. He scored the only 50 of the midweek season at Brackley.

Towards the end of the season Bodicote, Middleton and Bibbys were all in contention for the title. Bibbys were seen off when the Parfitt boys opened and secured a 10 wicket win chasing 92. Although they did time their innings to perfection as only 2 balls remained when the target was reached which saw much pacing beyond the boundary for other team members - Barlow in particular.

This result set up a grandstand finish with Bodicote two points clear of Middleton Cheney who they would meet on the last round of matches. A win for Middleton would force a play off the following week. With teams playing each other twice in those days the game was played on 21 August meaning the toss would be crucial as it would soon be dark even with a 6 pm start. Veall called correctly and 94-7 which included 43 from Bob Campbell looked to be enough as the evening set in.

Bodicote were supported that evening by Tim Rogers who had recently escaped from Blisworth to return to the village with a young damsel (Jessica) in tow. They watched (some of) the game from the boundary although even the usually unflappable Blincowe was surprised how close they were when he retrieved a ball from close by them. Despite the game finishing in almost pitch black Middleton stayed in touch and by the time the last ball was to be bowled by skipper Veall they had reached 93 with the last pair at the wicket. Veall will claim tactical genius but his next ball was a wide which took the scores level. However in the excitement the Middleton non-striker was already halfway down the pitch and the batsman also ran to allow keeper Campbell to run out the non-striker and the tie meant that Bodicote took the title!

1984

In any club's history there are good years and bad and 1984 unfortunately, in terms of results has to go down in the latter category.

After one season in charge Ian Bloom stood down a captain to be replaced by Kevin Quinn who, it was hoped, would bring cerebral talents to the role - alas how wrong we were! On the playing side Ivan Veall had joined Colin Parfitt, Michael Cook and Alan Bristow at college, studying Theatre Studies. On the positive (?) side Maurice Marshall's sojourn at Exeter University had ended after one year where unfortunately he claimed more wickets than exam points. However Stephen Barlow was also unavailable for much of the season as his studies took him to the Alsace/Vosges border in France where he spent the summer making incontinence sheets, speaking French and playing boule - at least with his bowling action he was able to adapt to the game pretty quickly.

Another departure was the tree that stood diagonally opposite the current tree at deepish mid on bowling from the village end which had died and was cut down. Part of the trunk was placed outside of the village hall and became a useful seat / something for the scoreboard to lean on / primitive slip cradle. It was also famously rescued from a blazing inferno later in the season by Firefighters Barlow and Parfitt R (Sister of Col and Alan) one night on a return from Town when it was spotted alight with the flames licking the village hall.

The opening week of the season saw Eydon rattle up 179-5 with the former captain Bloom's figures not improved by being relieved of captaincy duties -12-0-73-1. Bodicote's reply was a feeble 39. However the team bounced back at home to Twyford the following week. Batting stalwarts Woodruff and Miles turned bowling stars taking 4 and 5 wickets respectively to dismiss the visitors for 75. Bodicote edged home to a one wicket win with Chris Ro gers top scoring with 18 on the first time in recent season s that a father and son (Tim - who had scored a duck!) took the field together for the club. Long Buckby, who were relegated with Bodicote at the end of 1983, were looking to go straight back up an d their score of 176-4 proved almost 100 too many for Bodicote. Priors Utd also thrashed Bodicote the following week with Woody scoring 20* out of 62 and taking 3-13 off 12 as the total was reached for 4 wickets. Woody also did well the following week as he scored 36 out of Bodicote's 83-8 off 40 overs against Charlton who were playing their last season out of the top flight and they easily reached 84-3. It was PTs turn to play the all rounder a week later as he took 4 wickets in Croughton's 123-8 then top scored with 43 in Bodicote's reply of 81.

By now Bodicote were bottom of the table but received a boost the following week in the (sadly no more) local derby against Adderbury. Maurice, who had been travelling back from Streatham to play was rewarded wi th a five wicket haul in Adderbury's 122-9. In reply PT scored a six-studded 67* as the total was reached with just four wickets down. Bodicote achieved their third win of the season a week later at Claydon who were bowled out for 90. A partnership of 59 between captain Quinn (33*) and young Alan Parfitt (28) for the third wicket helped Bodicote to a comfortable seven wicket win. Their mini run came to an end at Middleton Cheney who made 112 and Bodicote, who met a young (and then a lot slimmer) Ty King for the first time, made 90 with King finishing with 6-23.

This was the halfway point of the season and the team was bolstered by the returning undergrads Parfitt C, Bristow and Veall for the trip to Eydon. Col (47) and Bob Campbell (28), whose availability had improved, put on 72 for the 1st wicket which helped the team to reach 136-8 and avenge the previous stuffing at the beginning of the campaign as Eydon were bowled out for 118. Twyford got their revenge however a week later when they beat Bodicote 90 - 61 on their dog of a pitch. Woody, who actually bowled quite fast in those days felled the home team's No 9 and as the players stood round the prostrate batsman Tony "Skipper" Instone cut a swathe through them with the immortal phrase "Let me through I am a teacher". Bodicote were no match for promotion chasing Long Buckby the following week who won easily 83 all out - 84-2. Another disappointing performance saw Bodicote thrashed 179 -8 - 63 all out at Priors. This game saw a Saturday bowling debut for the legendary PZ Kovacs - a graduate of the PT Academy, behind the garages up the Fairway. This game formed part of the club's first ever "tour" as a Sunday friendly had been arranged at Priors the following day. so the younger members of the club intrepidly camped at the Priors ground. Despite the presence of 1st Bodicote (Scouts) alumni Parfitts C & A and Woodruff the idea of not putting the tents up until the return from The Butchers Arms was not one of the best. Morgers had lent the team his huge family tent which with a myriad of poles, canvas and guy ropes was somehow inebriatedly put up in the dark upside down and meant that their was a 12 inch gap between the tent and the ground. Those who did not fancy this slept in the Priors' changing rooms under the sign "No studs in the changing rooms" - sadly only too true in those days! Actually the night under canvas worked wonders because Bodicote won 170-130 with PT scoring 52 and Barlow, back from France 43.

The following week saw the high spot of the season - the visit of league leaders Charlton. Rivalry between the clubs was intense in those days and Bodicote scored 116-3 off a rain reduced 29 overs with PT hitting a marvellous 78*. Charlton's reply foundered in the wet conditions and Dick Taylor produced his all-time Jelly Brain moment in letting slip / throwing his bat at Young Al fielding in close . Bob Campbell appealed for something - obstructing field? and JB was given out, much swearing and the decision was reversed only for Marshall to snare him soon afterwards in a pumped up spell of 6-37 Charlton were dismissed for 77 which as this messed up their title challenge made the win particularly satisfying. Croughton were well beaten the following week 131-7 / 90 all out with Barlow re-adapting from boule to take 5 wickets. The only double of the campaign was secured at Adderbury the week after but not without some alarms. After a typically breezy 30 from PT Bodicote slumped from 60-2 to 67-8 but were rescued by a ninth wicket partnership of 42 between Veall (25*) and Marshall (26 - including a six!). The total of 124-9 proved enough as Adderbury made 96. The batting also failed the following week against Claydon even though opener Colin Parfitt carried his bat for 45* and the new No 4 Marshall (!) made 18. This time 53-2 became 84 all out and despite reducing Claydon to 78-8 they won by two wickets. The league season was rounded off with a convincing win against Middleton with Bodicote scoring 132 all out and Marshall and Bristow both capturing five wickets each as Middleton made just 44 in reply.

The late burst of 4 wins in the last 5 games meant that the playing record was Pl 18, W 8 L 10 - no rained off matches at all which must be a record. PT batted well to score 345 runs at an average of 23 and Col Parfitt also averaged over 20. Marshal l again led the bowling with 40 wickets in 15 games and captain's Quinn's stock fell in light of bizarre field placings, batting orders and bowling changes!

There was to be no repeat of the previous season's success in the Midweek League. High lights included a 100 opening partnership between PT (55) and Ian Phillipson (48) who was to be lured away from Bloxham to play on Saturdays in 1986 and PT also scored 58 in a huge total of 138-6 against Sibford.

A programme of Sunday friendlies were played in the second half of the season. On a rare outing as skipper Maurice declared before tea at Greens Norton having thought we had got enough with 152-8 only for their 2}{\f1\super nd}{\f1 wicket pair to put on 127 in under 30 overs to win the game. Bodicote made a dismal 46 all out at North Aston who knocked them off for seven thanks to an unbroken 8th wicket partnership of 23. In the ensuing beer match Swanny made 54*! Maurice made his highest ever score, 45, opening against Deddington The final match of the season was a game at Grendon Underwood which was rained off at tea but not before PT had compiled his first ton, 108, in a seventh wicket partnership of 107 with Woody (43*)

1985

1985 arrived and the portents did not look good. Veall, Bristow, Barlow and Parfitt C were all finishing off degrees, Maurice was having his second crack at the world of Higher education at UEA and even Young Al was old enough to go off to college. PT took over the captaincy and he and Woody again shouldered the workload of the club.

Perennial opening day adversaries, the now sadly defunct Eydon, were Bodicote’s first opponents and they made 99 with quickie Woody taking 2-11 off 9 and occasional spin bowler Chris Reynolds 3-16. Unfortunately this proved too many for Bodicote with only debutant Michael Coombes making double figures, 12 in a total of 57. Michael was son of Adderbury player and Plough regular John and at one time managed the Horse & Jockey. He had a good eye but unfortunately never became a regular player. Chipping Warden visited for week 2 and they were strengthened by the move from Wardington of the Reynolds brothers Mick and Steve. They made 136 and a win looked possible when Bodicote reached 88-2 before the inevitable collapse to 103. Two debutants that day were Ian Phillipson and Nick Henning and their performances were a shape of things to come. Ian scored 22 and became a regular from 1986-1988 when he scored a stack of runs. Nick was a Quinn-signing from Banbury School who allegedly batted and bowled a bit. He scored 2 and took 2-44 off 8 and does not make the all-time XI. Even Helmdon also managed to make 136 the following week despite Woody’s 4-15 off 12. Bodicote’s reply was a meagre 48. Woody took over the captaincy at Priors for the next game and with Parfitts C & A and Maurice back from University hopes were high of a first win. This was not to be and Bodicote replied to Priors 115 with 39.

Maurice was still around the following week when high flying Syresham visited. He produced one of his best all-round performances, 5-19 and a grinding 31 but to no avail as Bodicote could only make 77-8 chasing 110. Runs were proving hard to come by and the nadir was reached on a wretched dog of a track at Croughton where Bodicote were bowled out for 23 with Vaughan Martin, who is still trundling them down for Evenley, took 9-14. Croughton knocked off the runs for the loss of 3 wickets. Local rivals Adderbury visited Kings Field in week 7 and Bodicote’s
batting got back on track with Woody scoring 35 no and PT 38 in an improved 125-5. However Adderbury reached their target with a couple of overs to spare thanks to 57 no from the Bodicote village bobby Terry Philp who was to enjoy a successful season for us in 1987. Week 8 and the first points on the board when the rain intervened at tea at Claydon after Bodicote had made 90 all out. Things got even better as the team reached the turn with a visit to league leaders Badby. Ian Phillipson (64) and PT (58) put on 99 for the 2nd wicket and helped Bodicote reach 146-4. In reply Badby were bowled out for 125 with 2.5 overs left. The metronomic PZ was the pick of the bowlers with 3-24 off his 12 overs. Remarkably in the 1st half of the season PZ bowled out his 12 overs for between 22 and 24 on six occasions!

Eydon visited Bodicote to start the second half of the campaign and the side was starting to strengthen up with Col & Al Parfitt, Ivan, Maurice and Barlow in the line-up. The latter was to feature memorably in the Banbury Guardian the following Thursday with the photo of a head up smear as his stumps were splayed above the caption “….. lifts his head with fatal consequences”. Bodicote recorded their second win but only narrowly winning by 2 runs 103 – 101. The good run continued at Chipping Warden where Woody made 58 no and Col Parfitt 32 in a total of 144-4. Maurice took 5-19 to help bowl the home side out for 95.

A crucial relegation battle against Helmdon the next week could not be played at Kings field due to the annual caravan rally and the salubrious surroundings of the Wykham Hall artificial turf wicket was used or the game. The wicket was not easy to score quickly on and Bodicote were indebted to Al Parfitt with 31 to take them to 107-8. Helmdon’s reply was always up with the rate but they kept losing wickets and ended up 92 all out with 5 overs to go.

The good run came to an end at Priors despite a useful all-round performance from Barlow. He took 4-17 in their total of 115 and added 43 in the Bodicote response of 102. The week after saw Bodicote well beaten at league leaders Syresham who knocked off 81 to win by 9 wickets. The poor run looked set to continue with another home game at Wykham Hall against Croughton. Bodicote made 68 all out in 31 overs but with Ivan, Maurice, PZ and Woody all bowling tightly Croughton could only score 43 all out in 26 overs. A week later the runs flowed more freely at Adderbury as PT went ballistic scoring 91 and with Kevin Quinn making 42 no Bodicote racked up a then record Saturday score of 196-9. Adderbury were never going to get near this and ended 98 all out. The next week a narrow win was achieved over Claydon. Bodicote made 102 all out with a useful contribution coming from “Skipper” Instone who made 20, his best Saturday score. Barlow took 5-35 to help the team to an 11 run win. The final week of the season saw Badby visit needing a win to ensure promotion. However they were never in the hunt being bowled out for 72. PT opened with Ian Phillipson and smashed a quick 49, including a 6 and four 4s in an over. They put on 71 before both were out as was Al Parfitt for a duck to leave Bodicote victorious by 7 wickets.

So after losing the first seven games on the trot Bodicote won 8 out of the last 10 to comfortably maintain Division 1 status. Outside of the SNCL Bodicote again competed in the Brackley Midweek League and some enjoyable Sunday friendlies were played. At Tusmore Park Col Parfitt ground out 51 no off 115 balls a knock of such tedium that saw his Dad pack up his folding chair and leave before the landmark was reached. The scorebook also annotates N Hennin to go 4 not 5 and to swap with A Instone. This change was made because Hennin objected to batting 5 when he had been told he would be batting 4! Bodicote enjoyed a good win 144-8 – 103 all out that day and continued the fixture for a number of seasons. The pavilion at the ground was suffering from some shabby curtains so the owner had a new set run up in club colours at Liberty’s.

Bodicote also enjoyed their first tour travelling all the way to the Railway Hotel, Gloucester on the “Jim says £2.28” tour. This title was a Bodicote version of the “Frankie says …” tee-shirts which were popular at the time and the fact that orders in The Plough in those days regularly seemed to result in Old Jim doing calculations in his head before coming up with the sum £2.28. Older members will still smile if they get a “£2.28” when out shopping. The tour tee-shirts also included the photo of Barlow taken from the Guardian. The first game of the tour was a 12-a-side game at Woodchester. Openers Col Parfitt and Chris Reynolds were in champagne tour mood putting on 26 in 22 overs. Col had no qualms about this although Chris claimed the extra fielder made all the difference – not the lack of shots or the bat held together with sellotape then. The rest of the team managed to add another 108 in 20 overs to take the total to 134-8. Woodchester finished on 111-8. Match 2 at Frocester was rained off during the day but a 20 over evening game arranged which Woody probably would wish hadn’t. Frocester kept Bodicote down to 79-9. and trying to defend this Woody dislocated his collarbone trying to prevent a boundary. Day 3 saw a trip to Tetbury. Directions were sought from the landlord at Railway Hotel and he advised a turning near “…the Ragged Cock, which isn’t what it was”. On a wet miserable afternoon Tetbury kept Bodicote in the field for 48 overs scoring 134-6. Left 33 overs to get the runs Bodicote made 96-9.

1986

With a number of key players still at college or having finished their studies living elsewhere, early portents pointed to another tough season. On the plus side Alan Bristow had finished his studies and was working at GF and after the odd game in 2005 Ian Phillipson had joined the club from Bloxham and would be available all season and could keep wicket. In addition Kevin Quinn had been busy recruiting signing up Paul Openshaw and Chris Buckingham. Openshaw was a taciturn Northener and Buckingham has moved into the area to live with Banbury School teacher Julie Turner, having hurriedly left Southampton in mysterious circumstances. Apart from Chris’s contribution it is also fair to say that Julie’s culinary skills helped the BCC teas reach gourmet status and she also became a loyal supporter of the club. Another newcomer was Geoff Smith, a young leg spinner who was lodging in the village and these four joined a slightly better known debutant – James Blencowe Jnr – for the first game of the season at Thornborough.

Buckingham talked his way into opening the bowling with Alan Bristow and did the business with 4-19 as Thornborough made 114-9 off their 40 overs. He also talked his way into batting at 3 and fared less well making 7. Bodicote slumped twice in their reply going from 58-2 to 58-5 then 93-6 to 94-9 however opener Philipson carried his bat for 54* and with the help of No 11 PZ Kovacs steered the team to an exciting win with one ball left. The week after Chipping Warden were shot out for 58 and Bodicote recorded a five wicket win. Availability issues thwarted the chances at Priors with less illustrious brothers Bristow C and Barlow Si playing. One bonus was the return of Maurice Marshall who having given another University, UEA, a year of his time was now working in London for BT. Bodicote could only make 81 and although Priors were struggling at 41-6 they held on to win by four wickets. The week after PT came good with 76 in a total of 133 against Chacombe. Chacombe made 82-8 off 24 overs and in a rain affected game undeservedly squeezed home on a faster run rate.

After the visit of Kings Sutton fell foul of the weather, the following week saw a trip to Croughton and this game probably defined Bodicote’s season. Croughton were all out for 109 which looked a long way off as Bodicote struggled to 62-8. However the Fist was a pretty good No9 and he found a doughty partner in Marshall and they took the team to victory with an unbeaten partnership of 48. Bristow proved a hero with the ball the week after taking 5-4 to help dismiss Adderbury for just 46 which, after some early alarms, was knocked off for the loss of four wickets.

Claydon away saw another significant debutant, Neil Young. Introduced to the club by Openshaw Neil ultimately prospered whilst Openshaw faded from the scene. Neil had been brought up in the tough school of league cricket in Yorkshire and would be a key player until 1996 when the call of the potting shed became too great. He scored 26 on his debut and with Woody making 63*, PT 33 and The Fist 32*, Bodicote made a good 180-4 which in those days was a match winning score which it proved to be. Bodicote were now running into form and made 200 for the first time in a league game the week after at Silverstone. In a total of 202-5 Woody hit 45 and PT 89, looking good for his first league ton before being denied by a run out given by Geoff Smith when he was miles in. Perhaps he was aggrieved with this or perhaps he was bored but in Silverstone’s reply Kevin Quinn enlivened proceedings when lying prostrate he launched a bizarre throw over his shoulder in the field to a startled Smith accompanied with the immortal line “he (Smith) should concentrate on his own game.” Although Silverstone made 149 they were never in the hunt and at the halfway stage of the season Bodicote led the Division with a record of Pl 9 W6 D1 L2.

Thornborough were the visitors in the first game of the second half and they were also riding high but were shot out for just 30 with Buckingham, Bristow and the returned Veall sharing the wickets. Thornborough put their low score down to a under prepared pitch but their whining struck a chord with the usually placid Phillipson who set out to prove there was nothing wrong with the track. He scored 25 in quick time as Bodicote won by 10 wickets inside 10 overs. His opening partner was Parfitt A, back from University and into the openers slot, no doubt to the chagrin as Buckingham who had quickly established himself as a member with plenty to say and one of his bugbears was players coming back from their studies and walking straight into the team. A hiccup the following week saw Bodicote lose 115-84 at Chipping Warden where Maurice got into a contretemps with their legendary bowler Alan Lickorish who was to sadly to pass away early. Chipping Warden was one of the many grounds where facilities were less than spartan – Bodicote’s shower facilities were almost palatial in that era, a shame they haven’t been updated since. The fastidious Maurice developed the “shower in the bag” which gave him a post-match freshen up!

This loss made the short trip to promotion chasing Kings Sutton all the more important. Bodicote batted first and after 39 overs had made slow progress to 126-5. However the last over of the innings saw a Bristow spectacular as he hit 28 off it with 4 fours and 2 sixes to move the score up to 154-6. The Fist who many (if not Veall) feel is the best all rounder to play for the club followed up his batting heroics with 5-21 as Sutton fell 14 short. The week after it was PT’s turn to take the honours against Priors United. He hit 123, the first time a Bodicote player had scored a century in an SNCL game which helped Bodicote to a score of 233-5, which stood as their best SNCL score until 1995. He was matched in the early part of his innings by Ian Phillipson who scored 57. Priors were never going to get near this and were all out for 98 with Maurice taking 5-16.

Bodicote then visited Chacombe in a battle between first and second and the home side scored 114 with Bucks taking 4-19. This proved no target as Bodicote won by nine wickets. PT hit 76* and Bob Campbell, with the smell of silverware in the air, returned to the side with 27* in an unbeaten second wicket partnership of 103. Croughton were defeated 143-7, 68 all out the week after and then Claydon fell to a seven wicket defeat having scored just 67 with PZ enjoying a bowl taking 3-10 and Buckingham not enjoying having to wait behind another returnee, Barlow, before he got a bowl. Come to think of it Buckingham, who had earned the nickname Bloater on the back of his fisherman style cricket sweater, didn’t even think Barlow should replace Geoff Smith in the side!

The title was clinched the following week at Adderbury where the home side ground out 59-8 in 40 overs with 4 run outs! “It’s calypso time” announced Ian Phillipson and he hit a rare six adding a rapid 60 with PT for the second wicket to put Bodicote back in the Premier Division. The last league match of the season saw Bodicote defend a poor 110 all out, bowling Silverstone out for 71 with Veall’s fast bowling status dented by Al Parfitt taking a stumping off his bowling. This left Bodicote in the end of season play-offs where they travelled to Byfield to play the mighty Premier Division champions. The game was to be played on 13 September and Barlow severed all links with his University past by opting to play rather than attend one of his college friend’s wedding. (Dixie Dean, who played once for the club and world champion Mick Mills impersonator). As it transpired the game was rained off with Byfield handily placed at 153-5 after 31 overs. In the replay Byfield made 157-9 with Neil Brough and Barry Ellard both scoring 50s as they so regularly did against us. Bodicote made a meagre 64 in reply but this could not disguise an excellent season.

Away from the cut and thrust of the league the club thrived on and off the pitch. Tim Rogers organised an excellent 50/50 furniture sale which saw his auctioneer skills very much in evidence to boost club funds. This allowed the club to purchase it’s first motorised roller. A handheld affair which PT’s dad famously borrowed and sub-let as part of a burgeoning plant hire business. As well as the Brackley Midweek League and assorted cups, various friendlies were played and the new village shopkeeper Bill Read proved himself to be another useful acquisition although it was not until 1987 that he would be able to play on Saturdays. In the annual Priors double header Woody followed up PT’s ton the day before with his maiden century. The club went on tour to Northumberland playing at the Rivendale Hotel, Bellingham and in the first match faced fellow tourists Pannal. An early wicket gave Bodicote hope before Col Parfitt dropped their opener Goldthorp. To say this proved an expensive drop is an understatement as he went on to hit 209 out of a total of 347-6 in 40 overs with more lost balls than the Bodicote Open. Bodicote’s reply was looking shaky at 9-4 before Woody hit a creditable 67 to help the score up to a respectable 137. The next fixture was against a “David Barker’s XI” and featured the Northumberland captain Malcolm Younger. His 14 overs saw figures of 5-20 but PT played him really well hitting 74 including 4 sixes and with Woody making 30 BCC managed 146. With Buckingham taking 5-22 the opposition were bowled out for 78 to give Bodicote their first ever tour win. With no game the following day the hotel owner generously offered a pair of sports socks for the winner of a single wicket competition before Bodicote beat Corbridge in the final game of the tour with PT hitting 60 and Woody 42. PT scored over 550 runs on Saturday’s during the season averaging a shade under 40 whilst both he and Woody hit 1000 runs in the season – a fantastic effort. The team celebrated at the annual dinner with the ever loud Veall aptly served with a pig’s head stuffed with an apple! A forerunner to the Beaujolias Golf Day also saw a few hardy members thrash there way around Cherwell Edge after Doreen’s fine breakfast.

Bodicote Cricket Club

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