Firstly apologises for a report almost as late as one of my attempted pull shots. We arrived in Bampton sometime in July (due to the lateness of the report I have no idea exactly when) with heavy sky’s and little prospect of a full 40 overs per side match. After some deliberation and negotiations with the opposition skipper we decided we would join the T20 revolution and opt for the shorter, dynamic and sexier game of t20 cricket between the now renamed Enstone Exiles and the Bampton Ballistic. In a change from the norm, we decided to bowl first hoping that Duckworth Lewis would play a part in the run chase. Enstone strode onto the field full of purpose, with surely our youngest ever debutant James Anthony at the age of 8 full of energy as he prepared to run from fine leg to fine leg for 20 overs! Things started well with a good tight start from the Skipper and TP resulting in an excellent run out by the former of their opener for 4. Will followed this up with the wicket of a small child for a duck and things were looking rosey for the Exiles. Unfortunately this brought some bigger hitters to the crease and despite some valiant fielding from Tom & young James the score increased at an alarming rate. Eventually one of Budgies teasing deliveries did for one of the Batsman for 46 but the relentless hitting continued until the last over which was bowled by James and went for a very respectable 9 runs and he was unfortunate to not pick up a wicket or two. A brave effort from the boys in the field as the Ballistic finished on a powerful 209-3 off the 20 overs (scoring at 10.45 runs per over) Will with 1-22 & Budgie 1-37 the wicket takers. After deciding to forgo Tea due to the impending biblical storm Simon & Will strode to the crease while the rest of the side built an Ark. All this biblical talk seemed like for some time it would inspire a miracle as Will with some powerful pulls and cuts (mostly off the same child he had earlier bowled out) propelled the Exiles score on at a rollicking rate. With Simon at the other end accumulating runs nicely it looked like we could actually pull this off. Just as the momentum was building and with the Exiles just behind on Duckworth Lewis the heavens opened and we retreated to the dressing room. The rain then relented but the momentum was lost and Will has cleaned bowled for a rapid 72 before firstly Simon for 48 and another debutant Ayam both fell LBW to the Ballistics young leg spinner. This left Freddie and James to play out the last couple of overs with Freddie not out 13 and James not out 1 as Enstone finished second on 156-3 from the 20 overs. An enjoyable if moist afternoon with Enstone finally dragging themselves into the 21st Century and embracing 20/20, as always though Cricket was the real winner.
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