Middleton Stoney CC v Napton CC

This is a new fixture for the present Napton Cricket Club.; perhaps some earlier teams played them in the past?
Anyway, Hon. Fixture Sec. JP is to be congratulated on adding Middleton Stoney to Napton’s fixture list.
A lovely setting with a quaint 19th century pavilion. Their members and supporters were very welcoming and friendly. The club was founded over 200 years ago.

The ground is set in Middleton Park on the edge of the village.
Middleton Park was once the home of the Earl of Jersey. The 18th century house, built for the 3rd Earl, was replaced in the 1930’s with a house designed by Edwin Lutyens.
Lutyens is also known for his work on the Cenotaph in London and Thiepval, the Great War Memorial to the Missing on The Somme.
Middleton Park House is now divided into apartments.

Another first for this Napton team was the type of game played at Middleton CC.
It was a timed/declaration game, which is how much Sunday cricket was played ‘many moons ago.’
With no set number of overs everything was strictly timed.
Starting at 2.00pm with tea at 4.30pm. Re-starting at 5.00pm and then 20 overs after 6.00pm.
The nuances and subtleties for captains with this type of game are interesting.
For a comprehensive explanation see;
http://www.wyncoteramblers.co.uk/articles/blog/2013/02/20/declaration-cricket/

Middleton Stoney won the toss and elected to bat first.
The opening batsmen were settling in, building a base, until James struck with a leg-before in the 12th.
With not many runs added, the remaining opener cut to where Sam was standing at cover for him to take a corker of a low catch giving Mike E his first wicket of the match.
A catch by James gave JP a wicket during his unusually truncated spell of just 3 overs.
A risky single challenged fielder Nick’s arm. The outcome was a direct hit on the woodwork with the batsman out of his ground.
76-4 after 24 overs.
The 5th wicket was an LBW for Mike E.
A 12 over, 76 run partnership was broken up with James rattling the stumps for the 6th wicket.
The home teams No 5 was romping along, peppering the boundary rope regularly. He was on 68 when Sam, brought on for his second spell, claimed his wicket via a cracking catch by the captain running in from the boundary to dive forward and wrap his mitts around the leather.
Another catch by Mike E gave Sam his second wicket.
The pavilion clock showed 4.30pm which brought this session to an end
Coincidently, Napton had bowled exactly 40 overs, the usual allocation in their fixed-over games.

The home team were on 168-8 and decided to declare.
Wicket takers:
Sam Sensecall 6 overs 1 maiden 2-18
James Pelter 10 overs 3 maidens 2-23
Mike Eadon 9 overs 3 maidens 2-26
John P Eadon 3 overs 1-18

After an excellent traditional cricket tea, the game resumed at 5.00pm for Napton’s innings.
An hours play until 6.00pm and then 20 overs; about 35-40 overs total.
If Napton failed to reach the required 169 runs to win, but still had batsmen at the wicket after that period, the match would be a draw.

Olly and Mike N opened for the visitors.
Mike fell to an LBW decision in the third over with Olly, Gary and James departing by the 9th with just 37 runs on the board.
Nick at number 5 wasted no time at showing signs of what he is capable of with a few fours and a six.
Ed defended his end for 5 overs for a small but valuable partnership of 30 runs before he also returned to the pavilion in the 16th over.
The 17th over was disastrous for Napton with a double-wicket maiden.
77-7 after 17 overs.

The captain batting at No. 9, joined Nick in the centre.

After the 18th over the pavilion clock showed 6.00pm and Napton had 85 runs on the board.
So, 20 overs to go and 84 runs required; a little over 4 per over. Nick and Mike E were in the centre with Max and Sam left to bat.

Last week this correspondent had the pleasure of watching an exciting run-chase with Joe as the hero and once again this week Napton had a their very own ‘Bairstow’ to ‘bring home the bacon’ !!

One could just sit back and marvel at the array of shots that were on display from Nick.
Fours all over the place and sixes rattling off the sight screen.
He made batting look easy and effortless, just picking the balls that he instinctively knew were there for the taking.
Mike played exactly as was required; just protecting his end and letting Nick do the work.
However, Mike’s was no easy task. The home team realised that, as the score built, their only chance was to break the partnership. When Mike was on strike he was surrounded by a cordon of fielders, even a couple of leg-slips. He kept his cool and just prodded the ball into the ground at his feet.

Nick struck an almighty six to overtake the required total.
173-7 with a few overs to spare.
Nick and Mike’s partnership was a run short of a ton. Of these, Mike’s blocking, safety tactics had produced just 13 runs. A mature innings of patience.
173-7 off 29.2 overs
Nick Brown 109 Not Out 17 boundaries inc. 5 sixes
Mike Eadon 13 Not Out 2 boundaries
Olly O’Brien 15 runs 3 boundaries
25 extras

Following the game there was a barbeque and bar on offer which rounded of a great day.
Many thanks to Middleton Stoney CC for their wonderful hospitality and sportsmanship.