First up the 1st XI hosted Cherwell League stalwarts Oxford & Bletch Nondies CC. After struggling to 123 all out, Nondies knocked the runs off comfortably as Stoney went down by 5 wickets and it wasn't the ideal start for the Stones

The following week saw Stones visit Hanborough CC and a rare poor bowling performance saw Hanborough amass 220/8, Stoney put up a good chase but fell 30 runs short, with skipper Tim (75*) running out of partners as he closed in on the target.

Another defeat in week 3 as Stoney visited old OCA foes Great Howord CC. Another below par batting performance saw the 1s all out for 122, before dropped catches cost the 1s a chance of victory with Horwood winning by 5 wickets.

With 3 defeats from 3 it looked as if it could be a long season ahead as Stoney desperately needed a victory with Twyford CC visiting Field Close. A much better batting display saw the 1s post 188/9 from 50 overs before a superb effort with the ball saw Twyford all out for 87. The wickets were shared between all the bowlers as Stoney had their first victory on the board!

Week 5 saw Stoney slump to another defeat, this time away at Cropedy CC! In what was becoming an all too regular occurrence, Stonesfield batted first and only a valiant effort down the order from Steve Litten (46) saw Stoney to a below par 126/9. Cropedy secured a 3 wicket victory with only 2 overs remaining, a great effort in the field, nearly snatching an unlikely victory with Tom Gubbins taking 4 wickets the pick of the bowlers.

Bicester & North Oxford CC were next up for the 1s and a comfortable victory ensued as Stoney skittled BNOCC for 78 with Sam Hibberd and Steve Litten picking up 4 wickets each. Stones knocked of the runs easily as they recored a 9 victory, a result they hoped would kick start their season!

A winning draw away at Stanton was next for the Stones. Batting first another below par score looked likely as Stoney slumped to 72/8 before Dan Farrant (88) and Tom Gubbins (57*) smashed Stoney to an unassailable 225/9. A good effort with the ball saw Stoney reduce Stanton 177/7 but couldn't find the final 3 wickets for victory, Tom Gubbins again the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets.

Next up Hook Norton CC and a solid effort with the ball saw Stoney bowl another side out for less than 150, as Hooky were all out for 141, with Steve Litten and Tom Gubbins taking 3 wickets each. A nervy run chase ensued but skipper Tim (30*) along with Graham Rowley (32) guided Stones to a 3 wicket win!

Defeat away at Banbury CC brought Stones back down to earth in week 9. Another superb effort with the ball saw Stones restrict Banbury to 136 all out with Steve Litten the standout bowler with 4 wickets. However Stoneys batting woes returned as they were all out 102 losing by 34 runs.

As the fixtures went full circle in week 10 the Stones got revenge on Oxford & Bletch Nondies CC as they secured a nervy 1 wicket victory! Nondies scored 171 batting first with Graham Rowley taking 6 wickets for the Stones! Ady Birkett (42) and a top knock from Bailey Hatton (63) guided the 1s close to victory before the tail saw them over the line with 1 wicket remaining!

Stoney recorded another victory in Week 11, as they reversed the form with Hanborough CC at Field Close. Ady Birkett (51) and George Redknap (37) helped Stones post 180 batting first before Steve Litten took 4 wickets as Stones won by 20 runs.

A 9 wicket victory followed for the Stones as they turned over Great Horwood CC. Tom Gubbins with a 5 wicket haul saw Stoney bowl Horwood out for 128, before Liam Hatton (65*) and George Redknap (57*) took the Horwood bowling attack apart and guided Stonesfield to a comfortable victory!

With 3 wins on the bounce, Stoney were climbing up the table, however a humbling defeat away at Twyford CC showed how fragile the batting line up can be. Another brilliant display in the field saw Twyford all out for 113 with Steve Litten taking 5 wickets! However a mixture of good bowling and poor batting saw Stoney all out for 79 in what was their worst batting display of the season.

Week 14 saw Stoney quickly get back to winning ways as Cropedy CC were beaten comfortably at Field Close. Tom Gubbins took his 2nd 5 wicket haul of the season as Cropedy were all out for 151. George Redknap (69) and Tim Wyatt (37*) saw the Stones home and to a 6 wicket victory!

With only 4 games remaining, Stonesfield had a slim chance of promotion, albeit relying on other teams results. A demolition job ensued as BNOCC were beaten by 167 runs in week 15! Stoney amassed 322/8 with Dan Farrant (73) Bailey Hatton (53) Steve Litten (44*) and Tom Gubbins (40*) scoring the bulk of the runs. Stoney then bowled BNOCC out for 155 with Dan Farrant taking 4 wickets.

Another victory in week 16, as Stoney beat Stanton Harcourt CC at Field Close. Dan Farrant and Sam Hibberd took 4 wickets each as Stanton were out out for 152, before a nervy run chase saw Stones secure a 2 wicket win with Bilal Khan (40) guiding Stoney to victory.

Defeat away at Hook Norton CC put pay to the Stones slim chance of promotion. Bailey Hatton (48) and Tom Gubbins (31) helped Stoney post 191/10 before a rare below par effort with the ball saw Hooky get home with 3 wickets and 3 overs to spare.

League Champions Banbury CC were the final opposition for the Stones, with Stoney finishing the season on a high as they thrashed the Champs. Tim Wyatt (96) fell just short of a much deserved ton, as Stonesfield posted 187 batting first. Banbury were then shot out for only 66 as Stoney put in another great effort with the ball, Liam Hatton with 4 wickets and Fred Holloway taking 3 the pick of the bowlers!

A 3rd place finish after promotion exceeded many peoples expectations for the season. Only 19 points off the Champions and 11 points from 2nd place, there is plenty of promise for next season! Some great performances this season, with the bat, skipper Tim Wyatt being top run scorer with 430 runs. Dan Farrant 318, George Redknap 292, Ady Birkett 244, Bailey Hatton 234 and Tom Gubbins 214, all chipping in with important knocks throughout the season!

Another great year for the Stoney with the ball saw Tom Gubbins take a Division leading 41 wickets! Steve Litten 30, Dan Farrant 21, Sam Hibberd 16 and Graham Rowley 12, all bowled brilliantly throughout the season, as Stoney bowled out teams for under 160 eleven times, including 6 under 150 and 3 under 100!

Onwards to next season after a solid year and hopes of a promotion push!

#monthestones