After a week of sun and blue skies, the boys from Tiddington were raring to go for the first friendly of the season away at Dicot. A good chance to dust off the winter cobwebs and get out on the grass. After a sharp drive up the A34, Goody lost the toss and we were asked to bowl first on what looked like a good batting deck.Taking the first over of the new season, was debutant Tom Weymes, and after seeing what he could do indoors we weren’t let down as the first ball of the day went quickly past the bat and safely into Goody’s gloves. Max took the ball at the other end and looked to apply pressure early. Both bowlers struggled to find their length early doors and Didcot but in Max’s 2nd over he bowled their young opener with a ball that just did just enough to come back and clip the top of off stump.
Another couple of overs went with not much to shout about. Max was replaced by Jamie ‘Bungalow’ Bates with first spell figures of 19-1 off 3. The first ball of Jamie’s spell started with a wicket and a leg side full toss was missed by the Didcot batsmen and bowled him leg stump. Much to the amusement of the team as Jamie took a tumble and was unaware of what had just happened. Weymo continued to bowl good areas with little luck and finished with first spell figures of 5-0-26. Another wicket fell in Jamie’s second over as his boss Nick Pykett took a fantastic diving catch at square leg to remove the Didcot opener for 26. A wicket for Stonor Recruitment if there was ever one…
More action followed at the other end as Chris Goodman came on at the other end and started his first spell back as a bowler with a wicket. This was then followed by an eventful over with another wicket for Goodman and a run out. Didcot struggling at 61-6 off 13 overs and the boys from the village in charge. The seamers were then taken off for Pykett and Smith both bowling strong areas and get the ball to turn on a dry deck. Didcot then started to have a revival with a 7th wicket partnership of 58, only being ended by some tight bowling from Ben and a good catch by Shrew. Another strong Didcot partnership followed with Didcot captain Richard Cook scoring a very steady 84, only to be sent back inside by a good delivery from Shrew coming back for his 2nd spell.
The Didcot tail continued to wag and ended on a hard fought 221 all out after 47 overs. A long stint in the baking sun for the villagers, not helped by the slow over rate, trudged off with the thoughts of an early tea left in the distance…
Now, tea was something to shout about. A strong selection of sandwiches and other savoury goods were consumed on the balcony as the sun continued to beat down. A picturesque scene made even better by the amazing carrot cake provided.
After a brief rest in the sun, the boys were back out there with the pads on and ready to get about getting the runs. Jacob Davis and Peter King were the first to hit the crease, with some promising shots from King. The partnership didn’t last long as Jacob wafted out at a wide one which was comfortably taken by gully. Tidd 7-1 off 2. King was joined by Charlie Elliott who looked to rebuild. They both looked comfortable, until a mix up led to King being run out for 12. Ben then strode out to the crease with an air of confidence and he and Charlie both played some lovely strokes to keep the boundaries flowing. Both looking strong and the scoreboard ticking over.
Didcot changed the bowling up and managed to slow the flow of runs, forcing Charlie into a false shot and being caught for 18. Matt Johnston was the next villager to walk out into the heat, but never looked settled and was eventually caught for 5. The skipper then came out and looked to build a partnership with Ben. Again, looking good for his start but not being able to continue (all be it to a bit of dodgy umpiring…) Tiddington now 106-5 off 21.
Ben didn’t let the fall of wickets distract him and brought up a well-deserved 50 after being pushed up the order. He and Nick (28) looked to be going comfortably until they both fell in quick session, with the score 152-7 off 40. With some big hitting needed, Shrew was at the crease and looking to go with attacking intent. He and young Joe (15*) looked solid until Shrew missed a straight one to bring debutant and ‘farmer boy’ Weymes to the crease. Some good running and big hitting from Weymes (22*) bought hope back to the Tiddington camp, but all was lost as we ended up with 206-9 off our 50 overs.
A good start to the season and a lot to work with. The team are looking to continue on an upward journey after a very positive last season.
MOM – Ben Smith, ending on figures of 7-1-29-1 and 51.
DOD – Jamie Bates – Dropping a catch off his bosses bowling and thinking he was going into bat without a wicket falling.
