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Result - Demijohns

Sun Jul 1st Grannies lose by 84 runs

Match report

What could be nicer than a summer's day in the midst of Victorian Oxford with battle joined between old and familiar foes? A new look Demijohns side put paid to that image, fielding a side unrecognisable from previous seasons with a singularly unfamiliar "ring". A thumping 84 run win resulted with very little contribution from our regular opposition.

But enough of the sour grapes. The Demijohns won the toss and batted on the traditionally good St John's pitch. The first 4 DJ's all thumped the ball around merrily playing a mixture of conventional "in the V" whacks over the top and the slightly more than occasional steer to cow.

Grannies stuck to their task however and some persistent bowling brought rewards before lunch was convened, in particular for the Yeates family who appeared in one form or another in each of the first 5 dismissals. Admittedly there were 3 of them in the side but discretion prevents revealing which one of the 3 failed to contribute, although one particular Nick over mid off which presented an opportunity to rectify resulted merely in keen observation. (with Jim on my shoulders it might have been a vague possibility, get over it. Ed.)

The DJs resumed after lunch at 125-4 and Grannies sensed a chance as we pinned down the number 3, who seemed to have run out of gas, and attacked the other end. Unfortunately this tactic proved successful bringing another new face to the wicket, one in fact from the other side of the world, who then proceeded to score 60 or so from 25 balls. One over in particular is unlikely to make it into the Yeates family album. He used his feet well to begin with but the bottom hand started to feature and he perished to Ely, trying to herd the cattle once more.

The DJ's declared on 270-9 at about half time, with the wickets shared among the bowlers, plus a run out courtesy of a fine throw from Ely. Mention must also be made of the heroic fielding of Jeremy Wynne who appeared to find himself in bomb alley where ever he was placed and put body (in particular) on the line for the side - in fact his insistence on using his body rather than his hands led some to question whether a new "nail bar" had opened in Oxford with early opening times on a Sunday. His body will bear the scars on Monday.

So the Grannies had a mountain to climb anyway, not helped by the loss of 3 early wickets, including a run out of a particularly sluggish opener, in the 45 minutes possible before tea. However Sykes and Good put together a good partnership either side of the interval giving some hope before Good gave a return catch to an unfamiliar bowler. In truth any chance of the win died at that point. Grannies 120ish for 4.

However Sykes persisted, looking in commanding form with the bat, supported by Yarker after a great effort with the gauntlets, and these 2 looked well set until the DJ's did turn to a familiar face, whose commission in the Grenadier Guards has clearly affected his bowling.

This proved too tempting for Sykes who didn't quite get to the pitch of one delivery (probably a feat in itself given the hang time) and skied it to cover, departing the field for 70-2. A few lusty blows from the Yeates triplets followed but wickets continued to fall until the last pair were at the wicket with 4 overs to survive to save the game. Unfortunately this was not to be and the Grannies were all out for 186.

In the pub afterwards Sykes was presented with his Copper Award by an exultant 6 year old Godson, Jack Philpott, who with great pomp handed over the 1 penny piece found on the floor in the car amidst cheers and beers.

Match info

Very pleasant all day game against keen opposition. Now at a new venue - St John's College sports ground, fantastic lunch and tea. Bowlers please apply early.

Location
St John's College sports ground,
Woodstock Road,
Oxford,
OX2 7AD

How to get there
Travelling north on the Woodstock Road in Oxford the turning to the ground is on the left hand side after Frenchay Road and before the turning for Lathbury Road on the right. The ground is hidden behind the houses so the entrance is a small lane between 2 of these houses. If you get to St Edwards School on the Woodstock Road you have gone too far. If you turn the map to a satellite picture you can see the ground to the left of the pointer.