Barford currently play their games at Snitterfield. This is a ground unknown to any of the travelling team. After a tour around the lanes in the village all arrived at the correct destination. This added much to the fines-pot for late arrivals!

On this blistering hot afternoon both sides were hoping to win the toss so that the first allocated 40 overs out in the field could be handed to the opposition.

Captain Sam won the toss, so Napton batted first with Tom and Mike opening.

The track was dry and hard and whilst winning the toss meant that the home team had to endure the heat so too did Napton’s openers.

It was a slow start with just 31 runs off the first 10 overs.
Mike and Tom were still there after 20 overs and they had taken the score to 82 runs.
The run rate still needed to be improved.

Both were still at the crease after 30 overs and the previous 10 overs had more than doubled the score recorded after 20 overs. 168-0.

However, both batsmen were visibly tiring and Mike popped one up into the bowler’s hands.
169-1.
This was a record opening partnership for the club with Mike and Tom breaking the previous record of 164 which they both set on 30th April this year against Ashorne at home.

Soon after, Tom was bowled.
A spirited closing burst by James and Callum took the scoreboard to 212-4.

Barford needed just under five and a half run s per over for victory.

Stuart was handed the ball and his second delivery sent woodwork flying towards ‘keeper Tom.
His next over was a wicket-maiden with the remaining opener being dismissed in a similar fashion.
Jimmy at the other end was bowling with his usual pin-point accuracy. His height and strength coupled with his perfect line and length is making him a valuable attacking asset for the club.
After the 4 overs a-piece for these two the score was 24-2

Barford’s number 3 and 4 batsmen got settled and took the score along.
At 20 overs, although losing another wicket to Mike, the home team were on 101-3, nearly up to the required run rate.

Batsman No 3 looked set to take the game away from Napton until Sam’s ‘which hand is the ball coming out of’ action saved the day. 125-4.

A few balls later a risky single and a direct hit by Sam made it 126-5.
However Barford had batting in depth and at 30 overs they had 148 runs. The required run-rate was then at nearly 6.5 an over for the final 10 overs. Very gettable.

However, Sam and Jimmy took 4 wickets in quick succession – including a caught behind by Tom and after 34 overs Barford were on 159-9.

With just one more wicket to seal the match Sam tossed the ball to occasional bowler Ollie.
His first over was tidy and in his second he mopped up the tail.
This was Ollie’s first wicket for Napton ------ but it does need to be remembered that he took a wicket on the 30th April at Napton !!! A conundrum.

Barford ended on 163-10 after 36.2 overs.
A very satisfying victory for Napton.
Of particular note is the committed fielding by Napton. Even with the conditions, each ball was chased with the same enthusiasm from the first over to the last.

Considering the heat a mention is needed for Mike who bowled his overs in one spell and JP who delivered 7 overs on the trot.