After suffering a agonising defeat in the County Cup Final earlier in the season, the Boys U15s had another chance for silverware at Charlbury Cricket Club on Sunday. In the Semi-Final against Didcot, an outstanding bowling performance reduced the opposition to 28-8. Captain Dara Bannerman led from the front, taking 4-22, and received excellent support from Mustafa Shah, who claimed 3-6 with his off-spin. However, Didcot’s tail managed to add a further 40 runs setting, Oxford a target of 69 for a place in the final.

Kitt Goss (17) opened the batting with purpose, and took the score to 39-3 before being dismissed. Five wickets then fell for 8 runs before Joseph Parrack (16*) joined Dylan Parkinson (9*) to construct a mature partnership under pressure, to secure a two-wicket victory.

Aston Rowant were next up in the Final. Bannerman won the toss and elected to bat first and, despite an early run-out, Oxford looked much more comfortable setting a target than chasing. Bannerman (21 off 14) made good use of the Powerplay, before a vital fifty-run partnership between Angus Barnard (27ret) and Parkinson (29) set the platform for the middle-order.

Shah (16 off 10) and Fabian Hurt (19 off 10) continued to hit boundaries, and some aggressive running by Marcus Large (4*) meant Oxford closed their innings on 146 all out.

In reply, Aston Rowant lost important early wickets, and a strong bowling and fielding performance by the whole team restricted the opposition to 117-8 from their 100 balls.

Rupert Newsum (1-16) bowled with excellent control, and Siddhant Nirmal and Joe Joyce provided the skipper with useful spin options with the ball.

Coaches, Stephen Hurt and Peter Joyce were full of praise for the team’s efforts, and reflected on how victory in this final competition of the season demonstrated the strength-in-depth of the U15s squad, given it takes place through the school holidays when availability can be a challenge.

Image and report courtesy of Peter Joyce and Steve Hurt.