CRICKET: Abingdon in a spin

1:21pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

Despite an excellent spell from left-arm spinner Paul White, Abingdon Vale made a poor start to their Division 2 campaign in the Oxford Times Cherwell League on Saturday.

Vale, who have hopes of promotion to the top flight this season, went down by 28 runs to Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts, who owed much to all-rounder Mark Strong.

In a low-scoring match, Strong hit 37 vital runs and then took 6-15.

Nondies won every match in 2007 as they raced to the Division 3 title.

But they looked in trouble after they limped to 141-9 from their 52 overs as White took 4-32 for Vale, who had decided to field.

Dan King hit 42 for the visitors, but off-spinner Strong proved too good as they crumbled to 113 all out.

Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 25pts, Abingdon Vale 4.

While Nondies and Abingdon were struggling to score, Nick Meadows hit 144 on his own as Challow & Childrey racked up 325-5 at home to Bourton Vale.

His marathon innings included a 114-partnership with Ian Demain (52), while Julian Penny smashed an unbeaten 39 just before the close.

Hamza Almuzahim then hit an unbeaten 112 and with Graham Newhook (53) saw his side to 236-7 and a share of the spoils.

Challow & Childrey 15, Bourton Vale 10.

A classy 102 from Martin Shepherd and a more workmanlike 82 by Rob Keates set Kingston Bagpuize on their way to an impressive 259-7 at Bledlow Village in Division 3 But it was to prove insufficient as Adam Mould hit an outstanding 137 not out, and with the support of Bob Floyd (44), saw Bledlow to 263-3 in 42.3 overs.

Bledlow Village 25pts, Kingston Bagpuize 8.

Challow & Childrey 2nd suffered a disappointing loss in Division 4 at Kimble, failing to chase down the home side's 141.

Only Justin Penrose (37) showed any early season form with the bat as Challow crashed to 109 all out.

Kimble 25, Challow & Childrey 2nd 6.

There was a close finish as Abingdon Vale 2nd suffered a one-wicket defeat at the hands of visitors Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 2nd in Division 5.

Graham Coates (58) and James Cook (53) took Vale to 170 all out, while Graham Frankland returned 5-58 for Nondies.

Matt Scrivener's 66 then helped the visitors on their way to 171-9 from 49.1 overs.

Abingdon Vale 2nd 12pts, Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 2nd 25.

Didcot had the worse end of a draw against Great & Little Tew 2nd.

Andy Darby hit 74 and Chas Taylor 70 in Tew's 220-8 from 52 overs at Didcot.

Julian Hitchman took 4-71 for the home side, who then limped to 157-7 from 58 overs against some good bowling by Sam Catling (3-44).

Didcot 8, Great & Little Tew 2nd 14.

An unbroken second-wicket partnership between Lee Ainsworth (66no) and James Barrett (73no) helped Wallingford clinch a nine-wicket home win over Bledlow Village 2nd in Division 6.

Earlier Ali Damirchi had taken 6-31 as Bledlow were dismissed for 157, in which Trac Walker hit 49 and Ben Moore 44.

Wallingford 25, Bledlow Village 3.

There was a disaster at Kingston Bagpuize 2nd crashed to 25 all out against Kidlington 3rd in Division 8A.

Tom White claimed an incredible 5-7 as Kingston slumped to the lowest score of the day.

White was ably supported by Kevin White, who took 4-17 in a 225-run demolition.

Earlier Jon Phillips smashed 101, with Simon Townsend (55) and Matt Giles (35) also contributing to the big margin of victory.

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