This was the first fixture between these clubs since Napton CC was ‘re-formed’ at the Priors Marston Road ground.

Due to a communications mix-up over a kickball game that was being televised, the start of the game was delayed.
For clarity, that’s the cricket game that was delayed not the kickball match.

Wellesbourne is a large club with 1st & 2nd Saturday league teams, Sunday teams and various mid-week teams.
The ground was really well kept with a hard track and fast out-field.
Dave was drooling over the well-ordered shelving in the equipment storage/repair shed --- with electric roller doors !!

Captain Sam won the toss and elected to bat.

Mike (E) and Tom opened for the visitors and made steady progress; although they stuttered in the 4 overs 6,7,8 & 9, only adding 7 runs.
However, they moved the score on satisfactorily until Mike got his leg before in the 18th with Napton on 85 runs. A valuable partnership.

‘On-form’ Joe then joined Tom and they rollicked along until in the 30th Tom reached his century and, to the consternation of this correspondent, magnanimously retired with Napton having 161 runs on the board.

Joe then lost his next three partners pretty swiftly after they had only accumulated 12 runs between them.
Callum came in at No.7 to ‘steady’ the other end and give Joe some support.
This pair were still there at the completion of the allocated 40 overs with Napton on 247-4.

Batsmen in double figures:
Tom Hancock 101 runs Retired 18 boundaries inc. 2 sixes
Joe Alsop 64 runs Not Out 8 boundaries inc. 5 sixes
Mike Eadon 25 runs 4 boundaries
Callum Tuck 19 runs Not Out 1 boundary
James Cooke 10 runs 2 boundaries
Extras 26.

With a target of 248, just over 6 per over, and a good batting track, this game was in the balance.
A maiden from Sam and a wicket-maiden from Stuart in the first 3 overs gave Napton an encouraging start. 5-1.
However, it was a long old haul before another Wellesbourne batsman returned to the pavilion.
In the 24th over a splendidly taken catch by Callum near the boundary gave Stuart another wicket. 142-2. A 137- run partnership.

The home team’s batsman No.1 was still putting in a class-act until in the 29th a C&B from Tom put an end to that. 175-3.
After 30 overs Wellesbourne had 184 runs on the board for the loss of 3 wickets. Almost spot-on target with plenty of wickets in hand.

Tom and Mike (E) both disturbed the sticks to put the home team on 216-5 after 35 overs.
32 runs required off the last 5 overs.
A three-wicket haul by Tom in the 36th over put Napton in a strong position. 218-8
Wellesbourne’s run-chase then led them into taking risks that resulted in 2 run-outs to end their inning after 38.4 overs on 229-10.
Catches by Tom, Callum and Gary with accurate returns for run-outs by Tom and Mike (E) supported the bowlers and kept Napton in the game throughout.

Wicket takers:
Tom Hancock 7 overs 5-37
Stuart Alsop 7.4 overs 2-31
Mike Eadon 8 overs 1-48
2 Run-outs.

A red-letter game for Tom with a century AND a 5-wicket haul. Congratulations.
Another well-earnt win for Napton CC-- again taking it ‘to the wire’.