CHERWELL LEAGUE

Graham Scott's Match of the Day

AN outstanding 124 by Harry Smith set Great & Little Tew on their way to a 24-run win over Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts in Division 1.

Put in to bat, Tew recovered from a slow start to set up a declaration one over early on 250-8. Ross Brown (3-37) fared well at the beginning and end of Tew's innings, but some wayward bowling by his teammates in between left Nondies with a mountain to climb.

Smith, who struck 13 fours and four maximums, was only separated from opening partner Joe White after the pair had put on 113 from 30 overs. The middle order capitalised by more than doubling that score.

Nondies’ openers, Aftab Alam and his son Shabaz, got the reply off to a flier, crashing 25 from the first two overs and surviving a scare when Aftab was bowled by a Liam Manley no ball.

Shabaz was trapped plumb in front for 38 by Andy Harris, but Nondies were in still very much in contention until Pablo Mukherjee and Aftab fell in quick succession to leave the visitors on 119-3.

Four more wickets then fell for 40 runs as Tew took control, and victory was secured despite a late flurry when Jon Guthrie skied an attempted hook and was caught by Lloyd Brock.

Nondies are left to look over their shoulders at the two teams below them, and will miss opening bowler Brown, who has moved to Auckland, New Zealand.

The win strengthens Tew’s grip on second spot and leaves them well placed to better the third-place finish they managed two years ago.

Great & Little Tew 25pts,
Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 8