Presidents X1 Sunday 16th July
Presidents XI 165 all out. T. Mundy 71. J.Dyke 51. W.Bryant 4-16. I.Knapp 4-31.
Oldbury 166-6. J.Russell 60 ret. N.Hopkins 50 ret. J.Dyke 5-39.
Oldbury won by 4 wickets.
A marquis, bar and union jack welcomed the President's XI to Vic's oval as at last it seemed summer had arrived. The years rolled back as Terry Mundy set about the Oldbury attack, proving to be the mainstay of the Presidents XI innings. Well supported by Jon Dyke, it looked like a big total was on the cards. With Jon falling just after qualifying for his jug, Terry (71) fought at one end while wickets tumbled at the other. Well supported by Ian Knapp with 4-31, and main thrust of the Oldbury attack was 13 year old William Bryant. William not only claimed his first senior side wicket, but followed it up with three more, and was unlucky to see a dropped catch off a hat-trick ball. The Presidents XI ran out of steam with a total of 165.
The early loss of Gerald Porter could have been a sign of things to come, but Nigel Hopkins (50no) and Jim Russell (60no) continued their tour form and took advantage of the fast outfield and not quite so fast fielding. Good bowling by Terry Lee and Bob Gazzard slowed the run rate, and retirements saw a change of fortune for the bowlers. Would there be a famous, late Oldbury collapse? It started, but the target was just not quite big enough. Fortunately, there was time for Jon Dyke to cause a scare with plenty of variety in his bowling and claim a second jug with 5-39.
Everyone then retired to The Marquis of Ian and Derek's Steak Cafe for a beer and a bite, and the testing of memories when Oldbury really was a first class side and W.G.Grace quivered in his boots. Many thanks to Derek for the grub.