In a friendly match which was played in the true spirit of Cricket, both sides kept it close in a 16 over match which ultimately saw the youngest Didcot team victorious over their Warborough & Shillingford opponents. The application and skill on show was a credit to the coaches and was enjoyed by the supporters who were witness to a thoroughly entertaining match.
Batting first, Didcot got off to a steady start in the face of some disciplined bowling from the away team. The opening pair of Alex Freeman and Hrim Kapatel put on 15 runs (plus 5 extras for Wides and No Balls), for the loss of 1 wicket. The second pair of batters, Harley Hill and Arthur Dubovsky, faced some skillful bowling and disciplined fielding from Warborough & Shillingford. The batters applied themselves well, taking a further 15 runs off the bowling attack. The third pair of Didcot batters ultimately made the difference, Dexter Barratt (25) and Benedict Howman Bett (11), accumulated 47 runs (including extras) for the loss of one wicket. The opposition bowlers and fielders responded by limiting Christopher Bull and Cherish Reddy Gopu to lower scores with some accurate bowling and wicket taking deliveries, finishing with just 6 runs conceded from the final four overs with two wickets falling.

Didcot’s final score was 88 from their 16 overs.
As with the opposition’s bowling, Didcot’s opening bowlers showed great discipline and accuracy. Benedict and Hrim, conceded just 3 runs without allowing any extras. Harley and Cherish carried on the good work, with Cherish returning a wicket maiden from his over. Christopher altered the angle of the bowling attack, bowling around the wicket, conceding 1 run from his first over. Alex snagged an amazing caught and bowled from the next over to keep the scoring under control. The second overs from the Didcot bowlers allowed them to retain a modicum of control, albeit with a few Wides and No Balls creeping in to keep the Warborugh & Shillingford batters in the game. Harley and Alex picked up a wicket apiece in their second overs to close out an extremely well matched contest.

Warborough & Shillingford’s final score was 79 from their 16 overs.
Didcot win by 9 runs.