2011 results

7th May - Langford 210 beat Ashton 47

(1st May 2010)

Ashton Keynes vs Blockley (Blockley won) 

Having lost the toss & been put in to bat on a typically soft early season wicket we struggled against a disciplined Blockley attack.  At 8 runs for 3 wickets after 10 overs we looked in danger of being dismissed very cheaply but recovered to post 104 for 6 with T Waller top scoring with 48 & M Brooks finishing 23 not out, ably assisted by P Humphreys who finished undefeated on 6.  As the excellent tea was served the heavens opened.  Fortunately it relented somewhat to allow play to start on schedule and our total started to look competitive with the opening bowlers T Finnie & D hughes combining to leave Blockley on 12 for 4 after 10 overs.  S Smith & T Waller continued to strangle the scoring rate, reducing Blockley to 41 for 7 after 20, by which time the rain had returned along with a biting wind.  Unfortunately there followed a partnership of 43 runs and the game was won by Blockley in the 33rd over (105 for 8) with their #7 finishing undefeated on 50.  Our bowling attack was outstanding and we were very unlucky to come second, another 20 runs would have done the job.  T Finnie finished with 3 for 17 off 8, D Hughes 2 for 24 off 9 and S Smith with 2 for 10 off 8.
 
Credit goes to both sets of players for completing a hard fought game in cold, wet & pretty miserable weather.  Roll on the summer.

(15th May)

Tetbury vs Ashton Keynes (Tetbury won)

Ashton took on Tetbury away, in a game that should have seen us as winners. Due to a poor batting peformance (3 first ball dismissals!), a late withdrawal (seeing us field only 10 players) and some poor application with the bat. (The exceptions, being Tom W, Steven Smith and the Humphries boys) we posted a score of 111, one that gave very little for the bowlers to work with. Alas, we sent too many balls wide of the mark, down the legside and short. This, combined with dropped catches meant we were going to struggle.

Once their openers were out after the majority of required runs had been scored, it was clear they did not have much depth, but unfortunately all too late, as the Tetbury tail slowly picked of the runs needed.

Mark Farham picked up four wickets and Tom Waller one wicket. All in all the report card would read 'could do better'

(22nd May)

Ashton Keynes vs Central Hall (Ashton Won)

This game marked a significant shift from the previous weeks effort, with all players contributing, the bowling was tight and the fielding positive, creating sustained pressure on an opposition who thought we were going to be a push over. The opening pair of (Hughes - 10 overs, 2 wickets, 40 runs and Smith- 10 overs, 1 wicket and 16 runs) set the stage for an expected run push by Central Hall in the final 20 overs, this was not to be! Change bowlers Farnham (7 overs, 2 wickets, 23) and Grier (6 overs, 5 wickets, 21 runs) bowled efficiently and economically to their set fields. Credit also goes to the youngsters Patrick Humphries and Bill Williams in his first senior game who stopped, ran and supported relentlessly. All up, our efforts if the field restricted Central Hall to just 106 runs. With the pitch 'behaving well', apart from the odd 'popper' the batsmen were required to watch carefully and the runs would come, which indeed they did, with Ashton reaching the required total with 8 overs to spare for the loss of 4 wickets (Grier 53, Waller 21). A well deserved victory.

Ashton Keynes vs Cirensester (Ashton won)

Ashton against Cirencester proved to be one of the most entertaining/ nerve racking/brilliantly timed victories I have ever played in! Ashton fielded without putting a foot wrong. Three catches by Hugh Humphries on the boundary (all perfectly judged) were typical of the teams fielding performance: sharp, committed and always threatening. Tight bowling, including a wicket for (new to senior cricket) Seb Stubbs. A team that (on paper) looked vulnerable with its emphasis on youth showed that against a side with so much depth we could compete shoulder to shoulder. We kept 'Ciren' to a total of 164. Off to a good start openers Mobley and Shipperbottom made 31 before Mobley fell to a fast yorker. With scoring progressing well with no further loss of wickets until the 90's, A couple of quick wickets saw Ciren' back in the game. Youngster Mike Abbley came to the crease, showing a maturity beyond his years, scoring a well crafted 27. As the runs crept up, courtesy of some steady work by Humphries and Abbley, the overs were running out. With Abbley running himself out, and Humphries departing things were very tight. Last over 15 runs to win. Taking a single of the first ball, brought Tom Finnie to the crease, four, 10 runs of 4 balls. Next ball, Six, 4 to win of 3 balls, 1run, SebStubbsat the crease, 1 run, Scores level one ball remaining, Six by Finnie. "Piece a' cake" why did we ever worry. All up a well fought victory, well done to all who participated.