The Seventies, a decade of stark contrast that started sedately enough with that nice socialist Harold Wilson and ended with Margaret Thatcher as Prime

Minister, enough said. We started the decade with no cricket ground and three years later, a playing area that we could finally call our own. Not anything run of

the mill of course, but a fabulous place to play cricket and for the rest of the decade a period of success followed, unparalleled in many ways. We took to

league cricket like ducks to the proverbial and up through the divisions we sped. At the end of the decade we left the OCA and moved on an upwards into the

Trinity League. Our home for the next fourteen seasons. A decade of tumultuous change, so we’d better begin at the beginning.

1971 What a summer, wet I mean - abandoned games, rained off matches and in June, everybody’s favourite MP, Margaret Thatcher’s planned to end free

school milk. Better news from the government when it announced crash helmets will become law in September. We played on a few that summer where it

should have been obligatory, in the interests of personal safety that is. Not for ourselves you must understand, we played on a few minefields and had two

bowlers who terrified. I was thirty yards away at slip wondering if I was about to be a party to manslaughter. One end was George Launchbury a six foot two

swinger (the cricket ball, not the other type!) who twisted the ball either way, all done without the benefit of any cloud cover. On a humid day he could be.

Some wickets, he was seaming it both ways as well. His partner was the same height only bigger and quicker and nastier.

The last adjective may appear to be a rather grandiose claim being as George had a mean streak himself. He was a useful footballer, who after getting run

ragged for most of one game against a particularly mouthy opponent decided enough was enough. When George threatened this nasty bit of work, he just

stuck his chin in George’s face and said the suicidal line, ‘Go on then you big pansy.’ This was a mistake, we all knew it was one insult too many and sure

enough George let a decent left hook go and this man fell and I was convinced there were cartoon stars coming out of his head before he hit the ground.

George was a always a practical sort, recognising the writing on the wall, he never waited for the referee, just walked off the pitch, straight into the changing

room and his early bath. He never played for Wantage again, although the local boxing club rang him a few times and tried hard to recruit him to fill their

vacant light-heavyweight position.

Anyway, over the years we’ve had a few with bacchanalian persuasion and George’s opening partner probably took all the plaudits in that category. A hell

raiser of Olympic capabilities. I've had the dubious pleasure of having a drink with him recently and it would be fair to say that he has slowed down somewhat.

But this is a relative moderation and within a couple of hours my liver was trying the short climb up through my windpipe. Chris Nugent a man, to use the

quaint language of the tabloid newspapers, of huge appetites. Everything was in proportion with Chris and the more nervous amongst us refused the chance of

a shower until he'd dressed and gone home. Chris was quick and on some wickets, we dared not bowl him. When we played United Oxford Hospitals, it was

flying all afternoon, but we hadn't scored many ourselves so Chris was turned loose. Got them out for twenty eight, one batsman got one that didn't bounce

and travelling at a towering velocity, hit him between the legs.

Batting Bowling Catches

Name Mchs Inn NO Runs H.S Avg Name Mchs Ov Mdn Wkts Runs Best Av Name Mch Ct Wk Tot

G.Wixey 13 12 2 306 61 30.60 G.Launch' 11 148 50 34 364 7-27 10.71 I.Pert 12 10 10

A.Haines 5 5 0 139 96 27.80 C.Nugent 14 142 41 33 356 6-44 10.79 J.Pilcher 14 9 9

J.Pilcher 24 14 1 330 53 25.38 A.Haines 5 50 16 11 147 4-18 13.36 G.Wixey 13 7 7

I.Pert 12 12 2 210 40* 21.00 D.Pert 12 6 6

C.Nugent 14 10 2 124 43 15.50

R.Blowfield 11 10 0 121 32 12.10

Two noises that could be considered unusual on a cricket pitch, a batsman screaming and something breaking, not bone you understand, but something

definitely man made. after a long period reassuring the batsman that he was still breathing and it wasn't some sort of Freudian nightmare. Although grave

doubts were expressed at the time about his continuing masculinity, he finally undid his his flannels and pushing his hand down the front of some funny

coloured Y-Fronts pulled his box out. A sight never seen before or since, the box was in two pieces, straight down the middle - mirror images. He left the field

gibbering away, men other than the umpires in smart white coats escorted him towards - well we never found out. Fortunately the hospitals team played their

games within the grounds of the Warnford, so excellent counselling facilities were close at hand. There's a collective watering of eyes whenever those that

survive that day mention the incident. But that wasn't the end of it all. Relaxing in the club afterwards, an incident occurred that concerned our opponents

scorer and his attractive, hot-pants wearing daughter. He was raging, kept ranting about someone trying to de-flower his innocent fifteen year old behind the

very club we were drinking in. Ranting and about to get the police involved. The perpetrator of this not very close encounter was of course Chris. Not that

anything happened, just some hormonal fuelled, teenage grope interrupted by an overprotective father, hers not Chris’s that is. The atmosphere immediately

went from the relaxed milieu of a hospital social club to Dodge City within the blink of an eye. We were confronted by an angry mob and you never have a

solicitor in the team when you need one most. But with the sound legal knowledge that comes with three or four quick pints, we all questioned the collective

logic of our opposition. After all, Chris was only fourteen himself, and we felt that legally if anyone should be pressing charges it should be the younger of the

two. Trouble was that he looked twenty five and no-one believed our reasonable observation. Our rational arguments succeeded in only further enraging the

baying lynch mob. Leaving us with a choice, have a fight – Chris and my option, or beat a discreet retreat – the other eleven’s assertive decision. All through the

ensuing altercation, I was giggling which would appear somewhat callous and from a distance of thirty four years I apologise unreservedly for such an unseemly

display. But I did notice the young woman’s hot pants appeared to be both inside out and back to front. Needless to say, we drove home, realisation to the fore

that this was another fixture we had lost because of activities away from the cricket pitch. There have been too numerous to mention over the years.

It goes without saying that, despite many wet, some indifferent and a few dangerous wickets, the season’s best bowling performance was on a docile Magdalen

college wicket and George's 7-27 a master class of controlled swing bowling. Even this game was not without incident. John Pilcher, ground down by an

afternoon of Chris's colourful language, went off on one during the tea interval. This took place in the scholastic, nay, cloistered setting of Magdalen's historic

cricket pavilion. Literary alumni giants such as C.S.Lewis and Oscar Wilde must have shuddered as John's language proceeded to be more colourful than Chris's.

Language the great men wouldn't have dared use in the printed form, John’s profanities could never be called original, but said with a concentrated intensity of

feeling, that for once Chris was speechless.

A postscript to the season and in September the 1d and 3d coins ceased to be legal tender in UK . This news caused panic in Challow, where a certain farmer was

seen digging furiously, like a scene from Treasure Island , but without the parrot. He just managed to beat the deadline and arrive at Barclay's bank with a

hundredweight of 1d coins.

1971 Overall Match Review

Date Opp Result Score Score B/Batting B/Bowling

9 May Purton Won 155-7 77-10 J.Pilcher 33 G.Launch' 5-27

16 May Bradfield Won 56-2 55-10 J.Pilcher 31* G.Wixey 3-1

30 May Moris's Drawn 116-6 136-10 A.Haines 34 C.Cornish 6-54

6 June Hatfield Won 130-4 127-10 J.Pilcher 48 C.Nugent 5-34

13 June Buscot Park Won 93-7 92-10 J.Pilcher 41 A.Haines 4-18

4 July Milton Ab'n'd 137-10 1-1 J.Pilcher 53 G.Launch' 1-0

11 July Moredon Drawn 121-7 146-10 G.Wixey 37* C.Nugent 4-36

12 July Vikings Won 88-6 87-10 G.Wixey 29 G.Launch' 4-38

15 July Chipping Norton Won 136-7 126-10 G.Wixey 58 G.Launch' 3-48

15 August Pressed Steel Won 175-7 126-8 G.Wixey 61 C.Nugent 6-44

22 August Oxford West Indians Drawn 91-9 148-5 R.Blowfield 17 G.Launch' 3-60

31 August Pickersgill Won 110-7 107-10 J.Pilcher 36 G.Launch' 7-27

13 Sept. Sonning Lost 74-10 161-6 D.Pert 17 C.Nugent 2-35

18 Sept Swindon Nalgo Won 171-8 124-6 A.Haines 96 C.Nugent 5-34

1972, a low key summer in many ways, six years of playing solely away games had begun to take a toll. It did with me anyway, never possessing Don’s stamina or JP’s

energy; I craved the luxury of leaving home ten minutes before the start of a match and just playing cricket. The stalwart’s of this decade already in place by now. J.Pilcher,

R.Blowfield, a man capable of starting an argument in a Jehovah’s mission. G.Launchbury, a man capable of finishing the said argument. A. Haines, D.Watkins, I.Pert and

G.Wixey. I’m on about constants here and only talking about cricketers, so no need to apologise to those I’ve not mentioned. Everyone’s turn will come, eventually.

Anyway, all these away games and our own new ground far and away over the distant horizon. The thought of a new ground probably kept the others going. Whilst for

me, a foot soldier, who could see no farther than the next game and it had all become a bit of a chore. The ones that had worked tirelessly towards the new ground took

comfort from the fact that one more season and we were there. It’s an amazing feature of this period that we kept going at all. Some talented cricketers could have taken

the easy (sensible!!) option and played cricket that involved the odd home game. The ironic thing is that there isn’t a single local fixture on the list, the half dozen in Oxford

being the closest. One notable retirement this year, Chris Cornish played his last game. A fine bowler, accurate and a prolific wicket taker.

What of the times? Glam rock had taken the pop music world by storm, Gary Glitter reached number 2 in the charts and some of the younger players amongst us tried to

dress like him. If not actively pursuing his proclivities for under age girls. Don picked me up before one game and even he noticed that overnight it seemed, I had gone

from just under six foot to six foot four thanks to my Gary Glitter diving boots. Well he laughed like a drain, although when it came to the fashion icon stakes, he couldn’t

talk. There seemed to be a couple of scandals bubbling away under the surface at this time and on the drive over to Sonning, I remember Don talking about last year’s

fixture and saying to one of our number. Who just happened to be sheepishly looking out of the window at the time, Don said that he didn’t expect him to have their

captain’s wife backed up against the wall of the pub this year. Nearly cost us a good fixture. Who the recalcitrant is will only remain a secret unless the usual blackmail fee

is posted my way by return of post please.

Batting Bowling Catches

Name Mchs Inn N.O Runs Hs Avge Name Mchs Ovs Mdns Wkts Runs Best Avge Name Mchs Ct Wkt Total

A.Ayton 9 8 0 278 86 34.75 G.Launch' 15 170 46 45 429 5-15 9.53 I.Pert 15 12 12

J.Pilcher 16 15 3 376 72 31.33 D.Watkins 17 195 50 40 387 6-47 9.68 J.Pilcher 16 6 6

R.Blowfield 11 11 2 224 42 24.89 A.Haines 13 44 2 16 187 5-18 11.69 P.O'Connor 4 5 5

G.Launch' 15 8 3 121 62 24.20

A.Haines 13 11 2 214 49* 23.78

D.Watkins 17 15 4 256 53 23.27

G.Wixey 11 11 0 153 29 13.91

I.Pert 15 12 1 131 29 11.91

But I digress, back to cricket matters. Memories of an uneventful season are restricted to a few. The game at Stokenchurch was abandoned. We had declared and it rained

during the tea break. Dark and murky as a gorilla’s armpit we went out to play on a wicket juiced up and pretty near unplayable. The inimitable Chris Nugent (he blamed

the wet ball) let a quick beamer go that parted the batsman’s hair. Whose nickname, for some reason, happened to be Porky, whether he enjoyed the taste of bacon, or

perhaps he had Gary Glitter urges toward pigs, we never found out. He stared back at Chris, whose concept of an apology back then, usually involved holding someone up

by the shirtfront and then saying sorry. Porky said, rather cryptically I felt, ‘That was so fast it never had time to bounce.’

Fortuitously, the game ended soon after and we had a drink with Porky who just happened to be a pigman and not some bestial freak. The journey went relentlessly on

and next week we played Wolvercote. A fixture much loved by one Ian Pert, who had fond memories of the ground. This year brought no joy for him however, but in one

of the half dozen score books that I’m unable to locate, you would see the record of when Ian scored a hundred on this ground. An occasion that I remember well, if only

for the convention back then that the centurion duly bought a gallon of beer. Being as I had the rich sum of seven pence in my back pocket, the chance of a couple of free

ones on Ian became an irresistible urge. After the game, we all went to the Red Lion in the village, umpire, scorer and ten players. Why only ten you might well ask? No

prizes for guessing who went straight home. One Kenneth Ian Pert never turned up and left others cursing and me cursing the fact that I was likely to remain drier than a

Saharan pebble for the immediate future.

On to Goring and playing against a former player. Danny Vandervill was a useful cricketer who had moved that way a few years earlier, did the sensible thing and played

for his local team. We gave them a bit of pounding and poor old Danny copped one in the mouth. A flier from George and Danny needed treatment. Getting hit like this

was in itself, not an unusual occurrence back then. But dear old Les Carter came out with a gem, we all like a joke at someone else’s expense and as Danny came off

holding his face together, Les said. ‘He walked off the field looking like a man playing the harmonica.’

The journey carried on into Oxford and our fixture with the Honourable Frederick Pickersgill Memorial X1. Alumni of an Oxford college, they consisted of lawyers, media

types, publishers … you get the picture. Frightfully nice professional people and always a pleasure to play against them. They had just put an advert in the cricketer for a

fast bowler, the wording of which went like this. 'Fast bowler wanted, must be able to play the piano.' Amazingly, they got one, fast and a good pianist. They already had

John Nagenda playing who went on to play for Kenya in the world cup. I hooked John once, missed the ball and my glasses went flying over first slips head. Wrapped

around the ball, a cartoon sequence as they flew off into space together.

Amongst Pickersgill’s number was a well meaning probation officer, come psychologist. He found Chris a fascinating subject and every time we played he couldn’t wait to

coax another confession from Chris. Who himself, couldn’t wait to confess. He played the part of the confessor to perfection, subsequently owned up to everything from

Trotsky’s assassination to the recent Post Office job in Blackbird Leys. It turned out that Chris had played a major part in the man’s dissertation for his PhD.

The bowling was once again carried by George, fifteen games and he had the best bowling figures in ten of them. The batting mainstays were John Pilcher and Tony Ayton.

Tony was a top class performer who never played enough games for us. And so the season ended, no more Sunday nights into Monday mornings with Donald, well not

until next season anyway.

As a postscript and whilst we’re on the subject of Donald. Over the years I’ve travelled in some decrepit, tired old vans that Don used, one at least deserves some

comment. A Muscovich van that pinked and backfired its was around the countryside. At Pressed Steel after a failure with the bat, I asked him if I could borrow it and go

up the Cowley Road and get a kebab. ‘Be careful with it.’ His parting words … who me? I parked, switched the ignition off and jumped out. My driving practice then the

same as it is now, leave it in gear and save the handbrake. Stupid boy, the van had serious pre-ignition problems. For those unaware of this rare electrical fault, the engine

doesn’t want to stop for some reason. As I walked the short distance down the street, I noticed the car was bouncing along with me, until … yes straight into the back of a

parked Hillman hunter. It was like a goat, despite half a ton stopping it, the van kept bunting away as if trying to mount the obstacle.

Anyway, no damage done to Don’s van and like any responsible adult I left Don’s phone number under the windscreen wiper and made my escape. I always felt the need

to confess, every time I drove Don anywhere. Well I did a couple of years ago and I couldn’t possibly repeat what he said.

1972 Match Review

Date Opp Res Score Score B/Batting B/Bowling

7 May Purton Lost 99 101-3 A.Haines 34 D.Watkins 1-11

14 May Pickersgill Won 139-7 138-10 J.Pilcher 72* G.Laumch' 5-45

21 May Hungerford Lost 61 62-2 R.blowfield 18 G.Launch' 2-17

4 June Morris's Aband'd 86 D.Watkins 6-47

11 June Hatfield Lost 133-5 135-4 A.Haines 39* D.Watkins 2-24

18 June Wolvercote Won 134-6 68 -10 G.Launch 62 G.Launch' 4-17

25 June Goring Won 166 - 9 88-7 J.Drewett 42 G.Launch' 3-15

2 July Stokenchurch Abnd'd 142-2 14 -2 D.Watkins 42* G.Launch' 1-3

9 July Milton Lost 110 138-6 A.Ayton 25 G.Launch' 2-36

23 July Moreden Won 210 - 6 51-10 A.Ayton 86 G.Launch' 4-10

30 July Chipping Nt'n Won 163-8 135-10 D.Watkins 53 G.Launch' 5-70

13 August Vikings Won 113-3 111-10 J.Pilcher 42 G.Launch' 4-42

20 August Pressed Steel Won 92-1 88-10 J.Pilcher 54* A.Haines 5-18

3 Sept. Pickersgill Won 136-10 45-10 J.Pilcher 55 G.Launch' 4-20

10 Sept Sonning Drawn 125-8 129-8 J.Pilcher 40 D.Walker 3-19

17 Sept Thatcam Won 144-8 140-7 A.Haines 49* D.Watkins 4-59

24 Sept Swindon Nalgo Won 80-3 79-10 D.Watkins 37* A.Haines 4-16

1973 April the 29th and the inaugural match at Challow. Rain threatened in the morning, but by the time the openers walked out against Bicester, the God’s smiled down

and the ground looked fantastic. A cricketing Taj Mahal amongst the cabbage patches that some of our rivals played on. On the day our most prolific and stylish batsmen

missed out on the first hundred at our new home, scoring a mere 83. Aubrey played his best years on wickets, some of which resembled allotments, but he is a more

philosophical sort than me. I’d be spitting nails about the injustice of it all – Aubrey just got on with it. By the way, I’m not suggesting Aubrey was in any way decrepit by this

time. Still a formidable player, he went on to play for another twelve seasons.

Not only a new ground, but it had a bar as well and on occasions over the next few seasons, we slept there after a heavy night. Nicely upholstered benches around three of

the interior walls and we often accommodated half a dozen or so. It was a cricket club and as was the culture back then we drank and sung the night away. Believe this or

not, but Les Carter had the voice of an angel and once and only once he sang. A grand rendering of ‘Oh sole mio.’ He was seriously loaded mind – as we all were and perhaps

I just dreamt that he had a good voice. Whatever, this quickly became a golden age for the club, that’s not me just thinking things were better back then. I was a young man

and that makes the memories especially warm ones. And I readily accept that players have other priorities now and those days of cricketing irresponsibility have well and

truly gone. Well behaved and sensible the norm now. For the first five or six seasons, that was how the evenings developed and we always enjoyed ourselves. For the first

time ever, League cricket and although we were successful, our priority remained focused firmly on Sundays. Myself, Ian and Bob Blowfield the only regulars from Sunday

that played League. Despite this we stormed through the divisions. The first game gave just a taste of things to come and played against Lucy Sports in Oxford. When I

mentioned allotments earlier, this was the wicket alluded to. The memory of the toss stayed with Donald forever. Four times the coin was airborne and each time the coin

landed and remained firmly in the vertical position. I kid you not, the grass was so long, there were even a few daisies flourishing in the early May sunshine, nowhere near a

length fortunately.

But we won and kept winning, Saturday and Sunday. Just to prove that our record concerning ineligible players is not a recent phenomenon, against Steeple Aston we

probably trumped everything that followed. According to the book, one Sid Hunt scored 80. Considering Sid, an ex-carpenter who was over sixty by now and had four fingers

missing on his left hand, a notable achievement you must think. Who was this man? A ringer? Most certainly and not just any ringer, one John Pilcher who got his fix of

League cricket in the top division playing for Old Botley at the time. I think if you’re playing a doppelganger then use the best. In fact we had another one, John Drewett who

also played for the same club as JP, made a dozen or so appearances for us over the next few seasons. Always under a variety of names and always with plenty of success.

With the interests of accuracy and the self interests of those involved, I feel that runs and wickets accrued should be credited to them. All the time hoping that the OCA

don’t dock points retrospectively!

We also had a Kiwi guy wander down from the hills, been farming out near Fawley - ploughing his way around Europe he said. He also claimed to have just missed the New

Zealand tour party that year. And for the half dozen games he played, you wouldn't have argued with that claim. He also got a few of us banned from my local, he upset the

landlord, one Major Ernest Quinn. Doing a haka on the bar and telling the Major that his beer tasted little better than Kiwi's urine. The Major had spent all of his service life

fighting for the Empire and his view of all noisy colonial sorts well aired - shoot the lot of them, it's the only way. We took our own wild colonial boy into the Berkshire

restaurant where he persevered with his trenchant view that all English beer was as limp as Gnat's. The next thing, our noisy new friend was suddenly quiet. On closer

inspection, he was face down in his chips. Weak as Kiwi's indeed ... we never saw him again.

Batting Bowling Catches

Name Mch Inn No Runs Hs Avge Name Mch Ov Mdn Wkts Runs Best Avge Name Mch Ct Wk St Tot

A.Ayton 6 6 2 213 66* 53.25 M.Hitchcock 5 42 13 13 97 4-29 7.46 N.Cassidy 19 1 15 16

J.Drewet 7 6 2 146 80 36.50 G.Launcb' 15 202 59 53 495 9-34 9.34 A.Comley 14 4 10 14

J.Pilcher 16 10 0 306 80 30,60 G.Wixey 27 160 51 42 400 6-23 9,52 G.Wixey 27 12 12

N.Cassidy 19 17 2 440 89 29.33 D.Watkins 15 138 37 31 299 6-41 9.65 I.Pert 21 3 5 8

G.Wixey 27 25 3 642 117 29.18 C.Haines 10 90 20 22 244 4-20 11.09

I.Pert 21 20 4 390 59 24.38 A.Haines 13 100 21 24 313 7-29 13.04

A.Haines 13 12 0 274 83 22.83 D.Walker 14 78 18 25 183 5-27 13.07

R.Blowfield 23 22 4 403 64 22.39 I.Pert 21 73 18 13 188 4-8 14.46

Two footnotes to end with, the first getting absolutely spannered with a Barbadian called George Bradshaw. He had played a couple of games for Barbados years before and

thought it amusing to get half a dozen of us drinking whiskey, with Newcastle Brown Ales as a chaser. Why do we do it? Finally Donald’s crap vans part 2. I had a Sunday

league (football) semi-final and Donald wanted to come along and watch. Even said he’d pick me up, which he did in a Bedford Dormabile – you know the one, sliding doors

and three speed column change, forty mph tops. We arrived in good time and Don drifted off before kick off and after the game I found him already on a stool in the bar. It

turns out that he persuaded the steward of the Shefford social club to open up a bit early – 10.15 actually! Anyway, I drove home and got the van rolling quite well –

considering the sheer weight of paint in the back, no mean achievement. Doing over fifty coming down Workhouse Hill, only to see some stupid driver stopped in the middle

of the road. The van had never stopped so quickly, but the upshot was a pot of paint flying over and hitting me squarely on the back of the head. The mass and momentum

meant that the pot became unstoppable, spinning on and crashing into the windscreen. The top burst off and five litres of pink paint went over my new cords and into the

floor well of the van. Pert called me, not for the first time and certainly not for the last, an effing disaster.

1973 Match Review

Date Opposition Result Score Score Best Batting Best Bowling

29 April Bicester Won 180-7 95 A.Haines 83 M.Hitchcock 3-21

12 May Lucy Sports Won 157-8 68-10 G.Wixey 72* G.Wixey 4-23

!3 May Pickersgill Drawn 115-9 142-10 D.Watkins 49* D.Watkins 6-41

19 May Garsington Won 66-0 64-10 R.Haines 29* P.O'Connor 2-20

20 May Hungerford Won 178-3 95 A.Ayton 48 D.Walker 5-27

26 May Wd&Ho Wills Lost 75-10 76-9 I.Pert 20 I.Pert 4-8

27 May Purton Won 151-10 115-7 J.Pilcher 68 G.Launcbury 5-40

28 May Steeple Aston Won 195-10 84-10 J.Pilcher 80 R.Blowfield 4-23

2 June Oxford Rescue Won 123-10 106-10 G.Wixey 34 G.Wixey 6-23

3 June Morris's Won 111-6 107-10 J.Pilcher 37 D.Watkins 4-32

9 June Garsington Won 125 92-10 I.Pert 37 G.Wixey 6-29

16 June Hailey Lost 94-10 157-9 P.O'connor 42 N.Upchurch 5-25

17 June Chairmans X1 Won 133-6 129-10 A.Ayton 66* D.Walker 4-31

23 June Steeple Aston Won 68-0 67-10 I.Pert 40* I.Pert 2-9

24 June North Oxford Won 142-10 86-10 J.Pilcher 49 G.Launchbury 4-18

30 June Long Hanboro Won 183-9 103-9 N.Cassidy 89 A.Rowland 4-42

1 July Stokenchurch Won 193-3 95-7 N.Cassidy 59 D.Watkins 4-27

2 July R.A.F Lynham Won 62-1 58-10 I.Pert 38* D.Watkins 4-27

4 July Milton Won 138-7 122-8 A.Ayton 34 R.Moss 2-5

7 July Lucy sports Won 216-3 107-10 G.Wixey 117 N.Cassidy 4-23

8 July Pickersgill Won 132-10 73-10 R.Blowfield 31 M.Hitchcock 4-29

14 July Cumnor Lost 48-10 184-4 G.Wixey 18 A.Haines 7-29

29 July Cowley YA Won 111-10 78-10 N.Cassidy 34 G.Wixey 3-52

4 August Garsington Lost 57-10 111-10 R.Blowfield 33* G.Wixey 6-32

11 August Vikings Won 108-10 74-10 N.Cassidy 41 G.Launchbury 6-27

12 August Bletchingdon Lost 61-10 182-6 D.Pert 24 C.Haines 4-52

18 August Pressed Steel Won 185-6 122-10 R.Blowfield 64 G.Launchbury 5-35

19 August Wilber Stoutes X1 Lost 183-8 184-4 J.Drewet 80 G.Wixey 3-29

26 August Hailey Won 199-6 125-10 A.Haines 73 C.Haines 4-20

1 Sept Pickersgill Won 87-4 86-10 R.Blowfield 32* C.Haines 3-20

2 Sept Cowley YA Abandoned 82-2 D.Pert 38

8 Sept Sonning Won 61-2 57-10 A.Haines 24 A.Haines 4-5

9 Sept Thatcham Won 81-5 79-10 G.Wixey 31 G.Launchbury 9-34

16 Sept Swindon Nalgo Won 204-6 37-10 G.Wixey 60 G.Launchbury 5-14

1974 and another season of unbroken success, victorious in all Saturday games apart from one and champions of the inaugural Evening League. The latter

involved several close battles, the one at Denchworth, a typical parochial affair, ending up as a hand to hand fight as one of our number told their scorer to get

back on her broomstick and eff off. Not very nice was it? But I have to say at the time, we all thought it hilarious, what does that say about us? Apart from ome

or two exceptions, not a very nice bunch I suppose.

Two quick bowlers bolstered the Saturday side, Chris Nugent and Colin Haines back to terrify opponents and in Chris’s case frighten the living daylights out of us

as well. New ball and a quick wicket balanced the equation very nicely as he bounced teams into oblivion, in nine of our league games our opposition totalled a

mere 381 runs – Kennington only scored 69 runs in two games. The wicket at Challow blameless, if very quick. One guy, a decent batsman maybe, but a man

lacking any degree prudence, tried to hook Chris. At gulley I saw the ball come off what I thought to be the bat and I dived and took a pretty smart catch.

Looked around and wondered where my adoring team mates had got to. The ball had crashed into the poor man’s temple and I’ve never seen anyone so

knocked out. A week of tests in the Radcliff infirmary ensued and an obvious advocate for the use of helmets stared us in the face. Despite this, helmets were

another ten years coming. So Chris bowled like only Chris could and Colin behaved like only Colin could. A big man, not as tall as Chris, but wider. Red faced,

enormous hands, slightly pigeon toed, you’d say to yourself this man could be nothing other than a farmer, which he was. A man of no little bluster, in actual

fact quite a genial sort. But he looked anything but as he glowered and huffed and puffed. A precocious talent as a young man, he took sackful's of wickets in

the sixties. Colin batted and never felt the need for batting gloves and he hit the ball miles. Or more often than not, he never hit it at all. He batted like a fast

bowler, a short life and a merry one. Incidentally, he worked part time as a bouncer in the Swan, one night I was going up the stairs into the town’s only

disco/club and Colin came bursting down the stairs six at a time. Flashed past me, his Doppler affected shout saying something to the effect of, ‘Don’t go up

there, there’s a fight.’ To which I shouted rather lamely after his disappearing back, ‘But you’re the bouncer.’ He never replied, last seen running across the

market place a blistering pace.

Batting Bowling Catches

Name Mtch Inns No Runs H.S Avge Name Mtchs Ovs Mdns Wkts Best Avge Name Mtchs Ct Wk St Total

A.Ayton 12 12 3 583 123* 64.78 G.Wixey 28 132 41 47 7-

15 6.02 N.Cassidy 28 30 30

I.Pert 30 26 7 636 81 33.47 C.Haines 18 90 17 29 5- 8.86 G.Wixey 28 17 17

14

N.Cassidy 28 24 6 585 87 32.50 C.Nugent 21 187 53 44 6-

19 9.48 G.Launchbury 13 11 11

G.Wixey 28 21 8 370 38* 28.46 G.Launchbury 13 173 54 33 7-7 12.00 I.Pert 30 3 7 10

J.Pilcher 15 12 0 261 72 21.75 R.Blowfield 24 36 4 12 8-

23 12.83 P.O'connor 23 10 10

R.Podbury 23 20 5 257 46* 17.13 D.Watkins 23 119 18 30 6-

30 13.07 R.Podbery 23 10 10

R.Blowfield 24 18 1 281 82* 16.53 D.Walker 15 79 17 16 4-

12 15.88

D.Watkins 23 16 1 217 45 14.47 A.Haines 22 127 12 19 3-

11 24.16

A.Haines 22 17 1 223 35 13.94

A team of strong characters and as you can imagine, we had our fair share of arguments. Usually with the common denominator called Bob ‘the beard’ Blowfield. Another mercurial type, bowl like a

drain one week, the next he’d manifest into Derek Underwood. Bob could grizzle for England, if moaning was an Olympic sport he’d be in the medals every time. Tell him to hit out and he’d block, tell

him to block and he’d slog. Once years before, playing out time with precisely those instructions, Bob was out second ball stumped for six. A captain’s nightmare in many ways, but a talented cricketer

nonetheless and we always like to indulge ability. If we have a quick scan at the batting averages, you’ll notice one Roger Podbery who had one season for us. Not appearing again until 1995 – was it

something we said? Don opened the batting for the first and last time in a League game against Kennington and running down a score of 39. Don returned unbowed and unbeaten on 1 not out as we

won by 10 wickets.

Two notable bowling performances, George took 7 – 7 and Bob, 8 – 23, both on blameless Challow strips. Quick you see, quick and flat and batsmen that played on slow puddings couldn’t cope. Fortress

Challow it became for a number of years until wickets everywhere began the slow improvement. Away from cricket and three of the team became pioneer lager louts for three weeks in Lloret de Mar.

International incidents, tour guides having nervous breakdowns and all ending up in a rather predictable visit to a special sort of clinic. Names may well be named.

1974 Match review

Date Opposition Result Ch. Score Opp. Score Best Batting Best Bowling

21 April Milton Won 119-9 103-10 D.Watkins 28 C.Nugent 5-28

5 May Hungeford 121-9 122-2 J.Pilcher 44 D.Watkins 1-35

12 May Pickersgill Won 61-5 59-10 I.Pert 22* A.Haines 3-11

18 May Lucy Sports Won 219-5 87-10 R.Blowfield 82* G.Wixey 3-12

19 May Hungerford Won 136-8 105-7 R.Blowfield 41 C.Nugent 4-22

22 May Denchworth Won 134-3 81-5 I.Pert 81 G.Wixey 2-6

25 May Garsington Won 145-9 59-10 N.Cassidy 38 G.Wixey 6-18

26 May Purton Won 164-6 160-6 A.Ayton 95* C.Haines 2-12

27 May Headington Won 120-0 119-10 A.Ayton 68* B.Hart 4-12

29 May Buscot Won 92-0 86-5 I.Pert 45* G.Wixey 2-10

2 June Morris's Abandoned 31-1 211-6 N.Cassidy 23* G.Wixey 3-43

8 June Oxford Press Lost 68-10 69-6 I.Pert 15 C.Nugent 2-20

9 June Hatfield Won 201-6 152-6 A.Ayton 60 C.Nugent 3-27

12 June Denchworth Lost 76-10 80-10 I.Pert 18* C.Haines 4-20

15 June Oxford Won 145-10 137-9 B.Hart 48 B.Hart 4-37

22 June Lucy Sports Won 40-6 37-10 R.Podbery 11* I.Pert 4-17

23 June Chairmans X1 Won 210-8 161-9 N.Cassidy 48 G.Launchbury 3-29

30 June Stokenchurch Won 57-6 56-10 R.Podbery 22* C.Nugent 6-19

3 July The Plough Won 109-6 72-6 N.Cassidy 25 D.Watkins 2-16

6 July Garsington Won 105-10 65-10 G.Wixey 22 C.nugent 5-17

7 July Milton Lost 136-10 137-4 A.Ayton 70 M.Hitchcock 2-16

10 July Buckland Won 69-3 67-9 J.Pilcher 23 G.Wixey 4-16

13 July Cowley YA Won 138-10 55-10 I.Pert 54 G.Wixey 3-10

14 July Buscot Park Lost 129-10 130-8 A.Ayton 35 C.Nugent 4-38

20 July Oxford Rescue Won 27-0 25-10 I.Pert 12* C.Nugent 5-10

21 July Moredon Won 223-2 116-10 A.Ayton 123* A.Haines 3-37

22 July The Plough Won 116-5 52-10 A.Ayton 35 D.Walker 4-12

27 July Clifton Hamden Won 109-8 59-10 J.Drewett 34* J.Drewett 4-16

28 July Chipping Norton Lost 202-4 203-3 N.Cassidy 87 I.Pert 2-29

31 July Buckland Won 41-1 40-9 N.Cassidy 23* D.Walker 4-12

3 August Kennington Won 120-10 20-10 J.Drewett 36 G.Wixey 7-15

7 August Buscot Park Won 78-9 77-6 J.Pilcher 21 G.Wixey 3-23

11 August Vikings Won 23-0 20-10 G.Wixey 17* G.Launchbury 7-7

17 August Kennington Won 40-0 39-10 G.Wixey 38* G.Wixey 4-4

18 August Pressed Steel Won 155-10 139-10 A.Ayton 66 D.Watkins 6-30

24 August Oxford Rescue Won 67-3 65-10 I.Pert 52* R.Blowfield 8-23

25 August Wilber Stoutes Won 226-8 73-10 J.Pilcher 72 G.Launchbury 7-33

8 Sept Sonning Abandoned 100-10 48-2 R.Blowfield 32

1975 The Telegraph Cup year and if not the clubs first trophy, then certainly the most meaningful thus far. But I’d be lying if I said that we’d won it

after an epic journey littered with titanic struggles. We breezed it, at a canter, didn’t even get out of second gear – any more clichés? Canter that it

was I’m still going to bore the pants off everyone with the chronological sequence that ended up with us bringing home the bacon. One thing I

remember is the weather. A hot summer anyway, every game was played under blistering sun and we won the toss every time. At Wooton I opened

up with Aubrey and scored 30 odd in three over’s only to be abused by some crusty old local. Berating me for throwing my wicket away, he said,

‘You scored 37 out of 40.' Then he pointed at me and moaned on, 'Must have been seeing it like a football, you’re bloody mad.’ What a thing to say

and unfortunate timing as regards opening the mouth. I replied with, ‘Why don’t you mind your own business you interfering old git.’ But as usual I

missed the point, in fact over a distance of 32 years I can see now that he was right. It’s too late now, he’s long gone and in fact he didn’t look too

good after I gave him a mouthful. Everyone scored stacks, except me and Colin put a couple through different windows in the pavilion and for luck,

a street light down the road. On to Merton and JF Powell’s 100. Freddy had bad knees and walked like a duck, but he could bat. I was away for the

semi-final. Amazing how things turn out. Last season’s lager lout, this season’s married lager lout. Anyway, I was ensconced in some seedy little

hotel in Torquay with my present wife, whilst the committed ones smashed Kennington in the semi-final. Ian Pert scoring a rapid fifty (did he ever

score any other sort?) Colin Haines took seven wickets and onto the final where Hook Norton beckoned. Coincidently we played the same team the

Saturday before the final where I walked out to toss only to be greeted by a wicket greener than a leprechaun’s arse. Here we were in the middle of

a three month hot spell, welcomed by a strip of greenish mud and not particularly flat mud either.

Name Mch Inn N.O Runs H.S Avge Name Mch Ov Mdn Wkts Runs Best Avge Name Mch Ct Wk St Total

F.Powell 17 16 2 449 102* 32.07 I.Pert 38 128 34 37 286 9-

35 7.73 I.Pert 38 2 26 1 29

G.Wixey 36 35 10 768 67* 30.72 K.Ducket 9 114 31 28 251 7-

18 8.96 G.Wixey 36 21 21

A.Ayton 12 11 0 310 93 28.18 D.Walker 16 107 22 23 276 4-

42 12.00 R.Blowfield 29 10 10

J.Pilcher 23 23 2 584 73 27.81 G.Wixey 36 135 32 34 412 4-

55 12,12 R.Haines 14 10 10

A.Haines 25 24 1 516 75 22.43 I.Cowan 14 83 11 23 279 5-

23 12.13

K.Ducket 9 9 1 171 32* 21.38 G.Launchbury 9 100 25 22 267 7-

14 12.14

D.Watkins 31 27 8 402 82 21.16 C.Haines 26 196 46 43 564 7-

27 13.12

I.Pert 38 36 4 639 65 19.97 A.Haines 25 167 26 42 584 5-

59 13.90

P.O'Connor 28 27 3 435 55 18.13 D.Watkins 31 249 66 48 668 5-

28 13.92

R.Blowfield 29 27 5 285 62 12.95 R.Blowfield 29 113 14 23 398 6-

19 17.30

I won the toss and decided to bat, why? I blame Don’s mantra burning away in my ears – always bat first. Always! Bat! First! So I did and we were

bowled out for 22. Top scorer one Norman Upchurch, a local builder we dragged, Don dragged out of the pub to make up the numbers. Batting at

number 11, Norman scored 10, almost doubling our effort. Not ideal build up for a final you might well think. Well when we turned up seven days

later at Hertford College with seven different players, you could see our opposition form one large collective question mark. Mumbles from them,

didn’t see many of this lot last week. You know how some people get, sullen when they imagine cunning plots conspiring against them. Dead, dead

sullen they looked and sounded. And they had good reason to be morose as we gave them a sound beating. Incidentally the game was played under

heavy cloud for the only time in the competition.

I’d bought one of these laughing bags back from Torquay, let it go in the changing room before the final. We must have sounded like eleven

deranged lunatics, five minutes before the game and hysterical whooping drifted through our opposition changing room wall. What must they have

though? You see it wasn’t all sex, drugs and rock and roll for me on holiday, I’d thought of the team got the laughing bag as some cheap distraction

to get the chaps going before the game. Not that they needed any geeing up.

Why I remember the aforementioned laughing bag, every Saturday night up at Challow we had a disco. TT’s laser beam disco, well he needed the

practice and we liked the noise. Every time he tuned his back. I stuck the laughing bag under his microphone, which everybody thought rather funny

except poor old TT. Towards the end of the evening, I did it once too often and our resident DJ snatched it from me and threw it miles out of the

open door.

Although breaking into several pieces, it wouldn’t stop laughing. The switch had broken and I’d got a Duracell in there. Don reckoned it was still

cackling away when he went to open up the next morning.

A brief footnote, a look at the bowling averages will see perched on the top, one K.I.Pert. Some mistake surely? Apparently not, he took 9-35 in a

tied league game. He should have got all ten, my single wicket came when the batsman (incompetent) tried to get out of the way and sat on the

stumps. 37 wickets at under 8 apiece and did he let us all know about it? For years and years.

1975 Match Review

Date Opposition Result Ch.Score Op.Score Best Batting Best Bowling

26 April Oxford Nalgo Won 89-4 84-10 G.Wixey 30* R.Blowfield 3-5

27 april Bicester Lost 90-10 94-3 J.Pilcher 31 G.Launchbury 2-23

4 May Purton Won 114-4 113-10 A.Haines 36 I.Cowan 4-35

10 May Cowley St Tied 150-8 150-10 R.Blowfield 42 I.Cowan 5-28

11 May Pickersgill Won 175-5 170-6 A.Haines 75 D.Watkins 2-27

14 May Denchworth Won 67-7 66-6 I.Pert 20 G.Wixey 2-6

18 May Hungerford Won 173-5 92-10 J.Pilcher 73 I.Cowan 5-23

22 May Buscot Park Won 86-5 83-9 D.Watkins 35* I.Pert 4-12

25 May Purton Won 81-9 79-10 J.Pilcher 25 G.Launchbury 7-14

27 May The Plough Won 69-0 67-10 J.Pilcher 42* G.Wixey 3-16

31 May Cowley YA Tied 104-10 104-10 F.Powell 42 I.Pert 9-35

1 June Morris's Won 196-7 122-10 A.Ayton 93 D.Walker 4-42

7 June Garsington Won 265-10 113-10 F.Powell 79 R.Blowfield 3-33

8 June Hatfield Won 126-6 123-10 G.Wixey 60 I.Pert 7-49

11 June Buckland Won 110-5 109-5 I.Pert 60 I.Pert 2-23

14 June Horsepath Won 106-10 87-10 R.Blowfield 26 I.Pert 4-39

15 June Oxford Nond Won 123-0 60-10 I.Pert 33 G.Launchbury 5-23

18 June Denchworth Won 98-3 96-4 D.Watkins 44* G.Wixey 1-15

20 June Chievely Won 105-9 103-4 G.Wixey 30 G.Wixey 2-24

21 June Horspath Won 140-10 90-10 R.Blowfield 62 R.Blowfield 6-19

22 June Presidents XI Won 111-10 108-10 G.Launchbury 27 D.Watkins 3-45

25 June Buscot Park Lost 91-8 95-2 F.Powell 22 K.Crook 1-13

28 June Cowley YA Won 115-8 114-10 C.Haines 29* C.Haines 5-37

12 June Kidmore Lost 133-10 134-4 A.Ayton 45 A.Haines 2-43

5 July Merton Won 214-10 135-10 F.Powell 102* G.Wixey 4-55

6 July Milton Drawn 154-6 219-6 I.Pert 33 D.Watkins 3-38

12 July Brill Won 122-7 118-10 G.Wixey 67* K.Ducket 4-49

13 July Abingdon Lost 113-10 114-4 A.Haines 44 D.Walker 4-52

19 July Kenninton Won 208-9 129-10 I.Pert 52 C.Haines 7-25

20 July Moreden Won 177-7 146-7 J.Pilcher 52 A.Haines 2-43

27 July Chipping Norton Won 166-10 126-8 D.Watkins 82 D.Walker 3-22

3 August Swindon BR Lost 128-8 202-9 P.O'Connor 36 M.Hitchcock 3-43

8 August Hook Norton Lost 22-10 24-2 N.Upchurch 10 D.Watkins 2-13

9 August Cowley St Won 174-9 96-10 P.O'Connor 55 C.Haines 4-21

10 August Ibis Won 105-5 101-10 A.Haines 55 D.Watkins 4-19

16 August Hook Norton Won 118-5 117-10 K.Ducket 32* K.Ducket 3-24

17 August Pressed Steel Won 182-7 131-6 J.Pilcher 69* A.Haines 5-59

23 August Hook Norton Abandoned 79-4 156-6 G.Wixey 27 A.Haines 2-20

24 August Wilber Stoutes Lost 155-10 181-8 C.Haines 33 D.Walker 3-47

30 August Hailey Won 45-5 41-10 F.Powell 12* K.Ducket 6-15

31 August Pickersgill Lost 79-10 88-10 A.Haines 22 D.Watkins 5-28

6 Sept Oxford Press Won 204-5 78-10 D.Watkins 74* K.Ducket 7-18

8 Sept Sonning Won 162-6 90-5 J.Pilcher 36 D.Watkins 3-10

13 Sept Brill Won 115-1 114-10 G.Wixey 52 R.Blowfield 3-21

14 Sept Milton Won 145-10 116-7 J.Pilcher 62 I.Pert 3-30

1976 Now it’s obviously true that any cricketing organisation should have noble, well intentioned ambitions. Attempt to assimilate within the community,

coach and encourage local youngsters, try to play the game in a spirit that reflects a well organised cricket club. But ultimately it’s always the players that

define how a club is perceived within its own peer group. I can think of half a dozen that have played for us over the years that will have knocked the good

intentions of many of our cricket committees into the proverbial cocked hat. Fights, arguments, some recalcitrant even urinating into an opposing umpires

shoes, not many know about that one and all will be revealed – eventually. Mind you, the umpire in question was the biggest, wall eyed cheat in

Christendom and deserved everything that came his way, but on reflection probably not that. We’ve had fighters, swearers, sulkers, a positive host of bad

sportsmen, convicts – even had an arrest during an afternoon’s play. Fortunately the arresting officer played cricket for us and allowed the felon to finish

his allocation of over’s. He was a class left arm spinner and a con man of impeccable credentials. He got three years and was on the verge of packing it in

anyway. Although he broke all sorts of records at Strangeways the next summer and Lancashire ’s a hard school at the best of times, they really rated him

up there. To cap all of these, we had Ken Duckett who for three seasons and this can be said without anyone daring to call into question what I am about

to say - he easily won more games of cricket during his spell at Challow, than anyone else. Lost only one game the previous year and Duckett was our totem.

What did that say about the club? Our best player, when he was only a callow seventeen year old, he dug the square up at his local club because they

wouldn’t pick him for the first team. A troublemaker, a fighter, profane to the point whereby women covered the ears of small children whenever he

approached – but what a fantastic cricketer. I have a theory for what it’s worth, outstanding achievers have a dark side, a mean streak that sets them apart

a mean streak that sets them apart. There are obvious sporting exceptions, in 1976 our nice guy was Ian Pert, outstanding cricketer and a good sportsman.

Tight as a duck’s arse in the bar but he genuinely played the game in a proper, good natured manner. The rest of the bunch – well what do you want to

know? One of the bowlers went out with a pocket full of Vaseline, for the cricket ball that is, not his haemorrhoids. How low can you go? Probably the story

of the umpire’s shoes, my anonymous friend was sawn off against Kidlington, he proceeded to – well I feel that he should own up himself. No naming and

shaming here, no kangaroo court, an amnesty will be observed. But as you all well know, I am open to offers, especially when stood at the bar. What

summers, both 75 and 76 turned out to be, absolute scorchers and a team to match the brilliant sunshine - lost one league game in those two years.Brilliant

batting, better bowling and in a team of all rounders, one man stood out - a colossus. Duckett was a giant cube of a man - built like a circus strongman – he

would be considered unfit by today's standards - photos are rare although his face adorned several police stations in the Reading vicinity. Unpopular with

some in the club, but more unpopular with opponents - overweight undoubtedly, but his feet moved like Fred Astaire's. A competitive streak so mean, he

caused an international incident at Denchworth when he told their scorer where she should store her broomstick. The village drums began to beat and we

only escaped by the skin of our teeth. It was my misfortune to work with him, in the politicised workplaces of the 70’s he was an employer’s nightmare.

He had a foreman that he didn't get on with, no surprise there! This man used to sleep in a galvanised shed at lunchtimes. Duckett drove his fork lift at a

towering velocity, rammed into this shed causing his boss to wake in the middle of what he thought was an earthquake, the only recorded one in West

Berks, albeit a very localised one. Post traumatic stress disorder was not in any medical dictionary at this time – but I must admit he did look unwell when

he eventually came out. I couldn’t stop fantasising about somebody with Duckett’s attitude, if he played cricket half as well as he argued, well this man was

for me and I’ll take the credit for getting him over to play for us.

Batting Bowling Catches

Name Mch Inn N.O Runs H.S Avge Name Mch Ov Mdn Wkts Runs Best Avge Name Mch Ct Wk St Total

N.Cassidy 10 9 1 371 125* 46.38 I.Pert 37 70 11 22 201 3-1 9.14 R.Haines 27 22 22

K.Ducket 33 32 6 900 97 34.62 G.Wixey 34 50 14 14 152 4-6 10.86 G.Wixey 34 18 18

J.Pilcher 10 10 1 308 75 34.22 K.Ducket 33 384 99 84 184 7-44 11.71 I.Pert 37 2 15 17

G.Wixey 34 31 2 860 80 29.66 K.Withers 10 64 19 12 160 4-44 13.33 T.Stock 26 10 10

A.Haines 17 16 0 405 65 25.31 C.Haines 23 204 44 35 506 5-12 14.46 N.Cassidy 10 2 6 1 9

I.Pert 37 35 5 744 67 24.80 A.Haines 17 102 6 26 406 6-43 15.62

R.Blowfield 22 20 4 291 65* 18.19 G.Launchbury 14 163 40 28 461 6-28 16.46

P.O'Connor 12 10 2 145 23 18.13 M.Wright 14 65 9 15 256 5-29 17.07

T.Stock 26 24 3 368 83* 17.52 R.Blowfield 22 101 6 17 368 3-16 21.65

F.Powell 20 18 1 277 63 16.29

R.Haines 27 23 8 236 30* 15.73

C.Haines 23 16 2 174 25 12.43

We just kept winning, even when rain threatened, the overs were bowled at such a rate we were always ahead of the game. One rain restricted game,

Duckett off one pace went through an over in less than two minutes. I know the batsman tapped every one back at him, but we bowled twenty three overs

in one hour. We bowled our thirty five overs in ninety eight minutes. What helped Duckett, was two top class wicket keepers. Ian Pert and Nigel Cassidy

both stood up to him, no mean achievement, Duckett bowled a heavy ball, usually closely followed by a weightier profanity. Ian was marginally the better

keeper, Nigel a world class sledger, not things directed at the batsmen necessarily. Nigel would say thing like, ‘My dick itches.’ Just as the batsman was

taking guard, ‘I think I’ve got a dose.’ Every couple of overs, ‘I can’t scratch it with this effin box on.’

There we have it, profanities from the bowler and a sex maniac keeping wicket, it was never anything less than distracting. Not that we needed any of that,

we were a country mile better than anything else, but it was something you just did. Not only was the wicket keeping top notch, they both got runs too.

Nigel, now well into his second career as a publican came out of semi retirement when we played at Long Crendon. Hadn’t batted for the best part of two

seasons, came in at 32 for 4 and hit 125 not out, fourteen fours and three sixes. We all went back to his pub afterwards and Gwen and I ended up stopping

the night and proceeded to break the bed. No, no nothing like that, the bed was unsound and Gwen was heavily pregnant. Which was the reason I only

played thirty four games that season, after all, I firmly believe you have to support your spouse through these difficult times.

This game was the only one Duckett missed, he took five wickets in league matches on five occasions, never missed with the bat and every weekend we

seemed to celebrate. The weather got hotter and hotter; we went to Risinghurst on the hottest day of the summer with only nine players and I lost the

toss. Duckett bowled twenty three overs and took five for twenty! We bowled them out for 82 and then struggled ourselves until Duckett hit thirty seven

not out, six fours and two sixes. Top stuff! Recollections of our valedictory celebrations are somewhat vague – thirty years ago and only two things stick out.

Ian lost a bet with Duckett and Ian is a pretty shrewd operator when odds are stuck under his nose. But Duckett persuaded him into a race around the

boundary edge, Ian fit as a butcher’s whippet and Duckett overweight, a glass in one hand and a roll up in the other. No contest you might think, despite

the big man negotiating yards for years, or more likely pounds for yards. Twenty yards difference at the start, all the smart money was still on the whippet.

He never got close, Duckett came around the last bend like a rocket propelled upright freezer. He still had time to roll a fag before Ian finished. Duckett

buoyed up by a bankroll, proceeded to drink like an aristocrat that had been kept away from the wine cellar for too long. Some of us didn’t need much

encouragement and it all ended up with a streak. How juvenile is that? Duckett managed to persuade one other into this little jaunt and around the field we

proceeded to go. Duckett did have an umpires coat on, albeit one with no buttons and he wore a ginger wig. I thought he looked rather gorgeous, until he

did the head stand that is.

He was in persuasive form thatnight and suggested to me that we go over the British Legion, still in our stateof undress. Always

easily led, I thought it a good idea, but of course thesteward wouldn’t let us in, it was obvious really – he would never let us in, weweren’t wearing ties. A

wonderful summer and Duckett’s endeavours drove us on.His star burned bright for a couple of seasons. I still see him occasionally, helooks no different.

Same bulk, same twinkle in the eye. One explanation for hiswaywardness may have been the fact that he played in goal as a young man. Noweveryone

knows that you have to be crazy to be a goalkeeper. The degrees oflunacy often reflect goalkeeper’s ability. That being the case, it’s a wonder henever

played forEngland

1976 Match Review

Date Opposition Result Ch. Score Op. Score Best Batting Best Bowling

18 April Milton Won 145-10 116-8 J.Pilcher 62 I.Pert 3-34

25 April Bicester Lost 148-9 149-4 G.Wixey 51 D.Walker 3-45

1 May Kidlington Won 117-10 70-10 I.Pert 37 G.Wixey 4-10

8 May Cumnor Won 244-6 139-10 K.Ducket 97 M.Wright 5-29

9 May Pressed Steel Drawn 156-7 226-2 A.Haines 46* G.Launchbury 2-74

12 May Denchworth Lost 84-10 85-5 K.Ducket 36 G.Wixey 2-21

15 May Buckland Won 35-1 34-10 P.O'Connoe 21 K.Ducket 4-3

16 May Hungerford Won 181-6 177-9 I.Pert 52 A.Haines 3-38

19 May Buscot Won 105-4 51-7 K.Ducket 34 K.Ducket 5-13

22 May Morris Rads Won 165-5 135-9 I.Pert 50 K.Ducket 7-44

23 May Purton Drawn 154-6 176-6 A.Haines 65 A.Haines 6-43

26 May The Plough Won 67-4 64-8 I.Pert 27* I.Pert 3-15

29 May Watlington Watlington 157-10 111-10 G.Wixey 78 K.Ducket 5-50

30 May Thame Drawn 148-3 186-5 R.Blowfield 65* A.Haines 4-64

5 June Horspath Lost 210-8 282-2 R.Blowfield 44 K.Ducket 1-59

9 June Buckland Won 127-4 88-5 K.Ducket 44* R.Blowfield 2-23

12 June Wolvercote Won 227-6 109-10 T.Stock 56 C.Haines 5-25

13 June Oxford Nonde Lost 153-10 166-10 A.Haines 40 D.Walker 4-54

15 June Oxford X111 Lost 145-8 146-4 N.Cassidy 72 K.Ducket 2-40

19 June Long Hanboro Won 204-3 81-3 G.Wixey 80 R.Blowfield 2-23

20 June Erratics Won 174-10 80-10 I.Pert 67 M.Hitchcock 5-18

26 June Risinghurst Won 86-4 82-9 K.Ducket 37*

27 June North Abingdon Won 199-6 90-7 J.Pilcher 75 D.Walker 4-27

3 July Long Crendon Won 188-8 72-10 N.Cassidy 125* K.Withers 4-44

4 July Milton Tied 134-10 134-10 M.Bostok 56 I.Pert 3-8

10 July Kidlington Won 147-10 105-10 K.Ducket 39 K.Ducket 5-56

17 July Cumnor Won 63-6 59-10 R.Haines 22 C.Haines 5-25

18 July Moredon R.O Drawn 119-4 140-4 D.Williams 48 I.Pert 2-25

25 July Chipping Norton Won 111-10 70-10 N.Cassidy 40 K.Ducket 4-30

31 July Morris Rads Won 189-10 106-10 T.Stock 83* K.Ducket 6-60

1 August Beaulieu Won 223-7 75-10 G.Wixey 63 G.Launchbury 4-16

7 August Watlington Won 109-3 107-10 G.Wixey 51* K.Ducket 4-36

8 August Ibis Won 106-9 105-10 K.Ducket 48 G.Launchbury 6-28

14 August Wolvercote Won 224-4 48-10 G.Wixey 62 C.Haines 5-12

21 August Long Hanboro Won 105-4 104-10 K.Ducket 40* K.Ducket 6-34

22 August Wilber Stoutes Lost 156-10 160-7 J.Pilcher 65 K.Ducket 5-39

29 August Risinghurst Won 115-10 106-10 N.Cassidy 21 C.Haines 4-25

30 August Swindon BR Lost 87-10 142-8 C.Haines 21 D.Walker 4-36

4 Sept Long Crendon Won 105-3 104-8 N.Cassidy 47 K.Ducket 4-32

5 Sept Sonning Won 129-8 128-8 K.Ducket 36

11 Sept West Ilsley Drawn 112-7 136-5 I.Pert 54 R.Blowfield 3-16

19 Sept Thatcham Won 184-3 183-3 J.Pilcher 57*

1977 The end on an era in many ways, the zenith of our success passed in September last year. Famine follows feast and four seasons of struggle about to

begin. A typical Challow phenomena here, you couldn’t put your finger on why. Lost a few players it’s true, but still a talented bunch. Whilst we are on the

subject of players moving on, two cricketing brothers retired together, namely Colin and Roger Haines. Here a perfect example of two cricketing careers

that highlight the effect of playing only away games. These two couldn’t make that sort of commitment and their best years became frustratingly

shortened. One I’ve already talked about and both made their marks fifteen years or so earlier. I’ve already mentioned Colin. Roger had a much more

balanced approach to the game and was a phenomenal hitter. That’s a bit unfair to him, he scored far too many runs to be described as just a hitter. The

coaches amongst us might cringe, but an exceptional eye and by playing straight he hit powerfully down the ground and to leg. Scored many runs and I

thought he was the best natural close catcher I’ve seen. In fact both of them had bucket hands and good reflexes, local boys and much missed over the next

few seasons. Typical of players at the more local level, no announcement of retirement. Just a word to a player here and there and we never see them

again.

A league season of inconsistency (sound familiar?) Stunning individual performances, good wins. Unbelievable defeats, shot Bladon out for 47 and what

happens? Bowled out for 43 – Donald was happy afterwards!

Batting Bowling Catches

Name Mchs Inn N.O Runs H.S Avge Name Mch Ov Mdn Wkts Runs Best Avge Name Mch Ct Wk St Total

N.Cassidy 17 16 3 686 130* 52.77 G.Wixey 22 62 13 18 137 4-33 7.61 G.Wixey 22 16 16

G.Wixey 22 20 2 593 58* 29.80 R.Hargraves 18 199 50 47 556 4-17 11.83 I.Morton 18 13 13

A.Haines 18 18 1 439 94* 25.82 R.Blowfield 23 85 12 18 284 7-17 15.78 J.Pilcher 23 11 11

K.Ducket 19 17 3 352 64 25.14 K.Ducket 19 198 45 34 559 6-16 16.44 N.Cassidy 17 5 5 10

R,.Haines 20 17 4 236 58* 18.15 D.Walker 9 64 7 12 203 5-31 16.92 I.Pert 31 2 8 10

I.Pert 31 29 1 453 74 16.18 I.Pert 31 58 6 10 192 3-28 19.20

J.Pilcher 23 21 2 296 60 15.58 G.Launchbury 8 105 28 12 299 5-49 24.92

R.Blowfield 23 20 3 262 34 15.41

Cassidy got a stack of runs in the league. Two hundreds and a 99. He scored big, we won. The bowling never any better than adequate relied on Duckett and

Bob Hargraves. An Oxford Don, a Lancastrian and a really good off spin bowler. Flat, relentlessly accurate and without doubt the clubs best ever appealer.

Umpires often left the field with their left ear bleeding as Bob asked the question and not quietly either, all this and at under three an over as well.

An example of the charm of the OCA highlighted with the first league game at Kidlington. Nigel had scored 28 out of 31 and going like the proverbial when

the umpire pulled him up. Not a bad decision as such, just a bit of distraction. Our impartial arbiter had to leave the field of play for what would no be

termed a courtesy break. Five over’s into the game and I think the old boy probably had a bit of prostate trouble. He didn’t chose to use the pavilion either,

instead he walked from square leg into the nearest hedge and lifted his stained umpires coat and peed and peed. Nigel’s concentration gone with the wind,

something Mr Bucket, for that was his name, didn’t take into consideration and we quickly realised what had stained his coat in the first place.

On a brief personal note, as the standard of cricket that we played improved, the number I batted seemed to change in direct correlation. Coming in down

the order and batting with Ian Pert once again. The sixth ball of the over lottery and Ian went hand in hand. but when we got it right, some teams paid. At

Combe we put on 64 runs in 26 balls … that’s the way to end an innings. Sat outside the pavilion at tea time, sat alone in bright sunshine. Enjoying the

moment and trying to catch my breath. Not helped by smoking one of Bob Hargraves Capstan Full Strength. An emphasymic, vertigo inducing smoke,

apparently designed to kill you before the age of puberty. Anyway, this American tourist wandered over and sat down with me, social; people the

Americans and this one no exception. Lots of polite questions about cricket, he asked me what everyone was doing in Combe’s small pavilion. Tea I replied,

how quaint he responded and strolled in. Coming out five minutes later with a cup of tea and a pile of sandwiches that probably started life earlier in the

day as one complete cottage loaf. Hey, he said, you Limey’s certainly know how to look after guests, all this free food. One happy tourist anyway, but then

again I suppose we have lots of players who never seem to pay for teas either.

At this moment in time, 1977 is the last score book from this decade. A sad fact, but an opportune time to take stock. Our youth section didn’t quite

coincide with the opening of the ground, it started the year after. The administration driven forward by excellence of Les Carter. I guess it wouldn’t be too

grandiose a statement to declare that our first two coaches set a standard of distinction that would always be mighty difficult to follow. Aubrey and

Maurice Smith had flair, talent, patience and an empathy that helped nourish and produce a rich crop. Roy Haines, Tim Nathan and Karl Humphries. Need I

say more, apart from probably 1995, this was the most talented bunch that have come through. We got ten years at a senior level from these, apart from

Karl and likewise ten years is all we got from the 1995 crop, again apart from one. It seems that there are too many distractions and the players finish

earlier. Perhaps it’s more intense now; Ian and Aubrey’s career spanned over thirty years, mine on and off for nearly forty. But I suppose you counter

longevity by saying who wants to watch someone play when they’re that old. Especially when there’s the chance that something might fall off, or break …

or worst of all, stop beating forever.

1977 Match Review

Date Opposition Result Ch.Score Op. Score Best Batting Best Bowling

17 April Oxford Nalgo Drawn 152-9 234-5 K.Ducket 42 K.Withers 2-29

23April Kidlington Abandoned 64-3 N.Cassidy 28

26 April Milton Drawn 113-8 124-10 I.Pert 35 D.Walker 5-31

30 April Cumnor Abandoned 19-0 J.Pilcher 13*

1 May Bicester Abandoned 133-6 I.Pert 53

7 May Bladon Lost 43-10 47-10 K.Ducket 12 K.Ducket 6-16

8 May Cumnor Won 173-10 96-10 N.Cassidy 86 R.Blowfield 7-17

14 May Old Botley Lost 164-6 165-8 N.Cassidy 104* K.Ducket 4-77

15 May Pressed Steel Won 163-5 97-10 R.Haines 58* R.Hargraves 4-17

20 May Headington Lost 98-8 102-5 D.Watkins 47 R.Hargraves 2-19

21 May Garsington Won 156-7 106-10 J.Pilcher 37 N.Cassidy 6-25

22 May Hungerford Drawn 124-8 197-3 G.Wixey 35 D.Walker 2-43

28 May Bloxham Won 200-2 198-8 I.Pert 74 K.Ducket 3-45

29 May Oxford Willow Won 195-4 108-10 M.Hitchcock 98 R.Hargraves 4-40

4 June Bloxham Won 209-2 207-7 F.Powell 94* C.Haines 3-51

18 June Tetsworth Lost 125-9 127-2 G.Wixey 42 T.Nathan 1-15

19 June Oxford Nonde Won 140-4 139-7 A.Haines 94* G.Launchbury 3-55

25 June Tiddington Lost 105-10 159-10 G.Wixey 42 I.Goodenough 4-24

26 June Erratics Lost 169-10 170-7 G.Wixey 54 I.Pert 3-28

3 July North Abingdon Drawn 90-9 164-6 R.blowfield 28 R.Hargraves 3-40

9 July Sandford St M Won 173-10 104-10 G.Wixey 40 A.Barnett 4-37

10 July Lucy Sports Won 96-8 94-10 Roy Haines 28 A.Barnett 5-26

16 July Kidlington Won 219-6 129-10 N.Cassidy 130* R.Hargraves 2-46

17 July Royal Military Won 184-5 182-5 G.Wixey 59* D.Walker 2-14

23 July Combe Won 221-5 101-10 N.Cassidy 99 R.Hargraves 3-27

24 July Moredon Won 129-10 103-10 G.Wixey 33 G.Launchbury 5-59

29July Combe Won 160-8 114-10 J.Pilcher 60 K.Ducket 5-41

30 July Horspath Won 160-9 126-10 N.Cassidy 75 R.Hargraves 4-46

31 July Chipping Norton Lost 131-10 132-7 A.Haines 46 R.Hargraves 2-16

6 August Bladon Abandoned 109-6 G.Wixey 4-33

7 August Purton Drawn 127-9 170-2 R.Haines 37 I.Pert 2-59

13 August Old Botley Lost 60-10 63-3 T.Stock 21 G.Wixey 2-16

21 August Pressed Steel Abandoned 71-1 G.Wixey 41*

28 August Wilber Stoutes Lost 66-10 118-10 I.Morton 22 T.Nathan 3-46

29 August Swindon BR Lost 71-10 76-10 M.Hitchcock 31 M.Hitchcock 5-19

3 Sept Bloxham Lost 75-10 78-4 A.Haines 26 G.Wixey 2-13

!7 Sept Garsington Won 187-6 150-8 K.Ducket 64 R.Hargraves 4-48

18 Sept Thatcham Won 210-8 77-10 A.Haines 55 R.Hargraves 3-7

Batting 1971 - 1977 qualification 1000 runs Bowling 1971-1977 qualification 75 wickets

Name Mch Inn N.O Runs H.S 100's 50's Avge Name Mchs Ov Mdn Wkts Runs Best Avge

A.Ayton 41 39 5 1434 123* 1 8 42.18 C.Nugent 38 343 100 79 799 6-19 10.11

N.Cassidy 75 66 12 2082 130* 3 10 38.56 G.Wixey 171 565 159 164 1713 7-15 10.45

K.Ducket 61 58 10 1423 97 4 29.65 I.Pert 184 369 74 91 999 9-35 10.98

G.Wixey 171 155 30 3692 117 1 19 29.54 G.Launchbury 65 1061 302 227 2711 9-34 11.94

J.Pilcher 117 105 9 2461 80 18 25.64 K.Ducket 61 696 175 146 1794 7-18 12.29

A.Haines 113 103 5 2210 96 11 22.55 D.Watkins 111 763 178 154 1984 6-30 12.88

I.Pert 184 170 24 3203 81 15 21.94 C.Haines 105 452 162 152 2001 7-25 13.16

R.Blowfield 143 128 19 1867 82* 5 17.14 D.Walker 74 626 90 94 1299 5-27 13.82

D.Watkins 111 92 20 1219 82 3 16.93 A.Haines 113 439 78 145 2246 7-29 15.49

Catches 1971-1977 A brief note on the averages and their misleading nature. A couple in the batting had their average boosted by

Name Mch Ct Wk St Total the big number of not outs. Compare that with the regular opening batsmen and it's plain to see that Aubrey and

John's averages suffered in comparison.

I.Pert 184 12 82 3 97

G.Wixey 171 94 94

N.Cassidy 75 8 57 5 70

R.Haines 97 56 56

J.Pilcher 117 40 40