For the second time this season Napton Cricket Club has had to travel with just 10 players. This truncated turnout included Chairman Howard who claimed that he had not played since his school-days. His luxurious mode of transport to Harbury, snazzy jacket and expensive loafers gave the impression that the last time he played the cricket tea was taken from a wicker basket out of the boot of the Rolls by 'James'.
This correspondent bemoaned the inability to field a full team in the match report following the game of 29th June so it will not be re-visited.
It needs to be noted that Harbury were also a man short.

Captain Chris lost the toss (again! ) and Harbury put Napton in to bat on a hard and dusty track. Perhaps their thinking was to take advantage of the hard surface and the new ball to dismiss Napton cheaply.

A brand new red cricket ball with lovely gold lettering and perfect seam is a thing of beauty to a cricket lover. It deserves its place on the shelf amongst the best pieces of Spode and Clarice Clift.
However, after Joe and Mike had finished with it the poor thing had the look of a home-made faggot !! The first chance it had to get itself lost it took it.

After an early Napton dismissal Joe joined Mike at the wicket. Joe has hit a 'purple-patch' again.
He was up for emulating his 60 Not Out at Stoneleigh.
Whilst Mike made steady progress, Joe punished both ball and bowling. One shot cleared the ground's perimeter hedge to bounce on the road and clear the opposite hedge. It was at this point that the ball decided to go AWOL.
In an exciting innings that included 4 sixes ( 2 in consecutive balls) during a partnership of 106 runs Joe was eventually bowled for 67.
Mike then took on the responsibility to move the score along. This he did even though he was once or twice tempted into a few impatient unproductive swings.
Mike was eventually caught on his career-best of 70 runs.
Callum smacked a four and a six, Sam made a swift 19 and Rory and Matt put shots over the boundary line.
After their allocated 40 overs Napton were 238-8.

Harbury's 2 openers proved quite an effective partnership clocking up 108 runs without loss and were threatening to run amok.
The purple-patch has been mentioned in regards of Joe's innings.
Well, there was a visitation of said 'patch' in the bowling line-up and the recipient was Sam.
In his second over he put paid to not only one of the openers but the No 3 batsman as well --- a two-wicket maiden over. 108-2.
A couple of overs later Sam served up another wicket maiden and later added a fourth wicket to his haul.
Two run-outs courtesy of Matt and Mike, wickets by Stuart, Callum and Mike and Harbury were all out in the 37th over for 191 runs.
Fielding was again one of Napton's strengths. Besides the run-outs there were catches by Joe (2), Callum and Chris.
Napton are usually very well served by those able to stand behind the sticks. This week the three recognised 'keepers were unavailable and the task was shared by Callum and Chris between bowling duties. The competence of this arrangement can be assessed by the fact that each took a catch and only 4 byes were conceded.

This win is another big result for Napton. This season they have produced the ability to 'punch above their weight' against the bigger league teams; Woodford Halse, Ansley, Stoneleigh and now Harbury.
It makes it even harder to understand the results from the earlier part of the season.
However, a great win for the team and the much appreciated band of supporters that are turning up at away games.