PRCC Match Reports 2005

1^st XI: The 1^st XI had a welcome win away to Brackley. Winning the toss and batting skipper Adam Morton (43) and veteran Dave Brooker (36) saw PRCC to a respectable but far from impregnable 156.
However Brackley simply couldn't cope with the bowling of Tim Brooker, whose 6-43 saw them to subside 49 runs adrift.
PRCC (151) ... 30 points; Brackley (102) ... 14 points.

2^nd XI: The 2^nds played their last game of the season - and probably their last in Div 8 - at home to Dinton 3^rd. Dinton won the toss and batted against a side denuded of bowlers, amassing 277-5 before declaring before the end of the 46 overs.
Unfortunately for Dinton they had overdone the runs and left themselves insufficient time to take the last 3 Risborough wickets. The seconds struggled grimly and thanks to 40 not out from 'Evergreen' Dave Hasted (who else?) and a stodgy 38 from an injured 'Matt Fields' ended with an inglorious draw.
Dinton 3^rd (277-5) ... 17 points; PRCC (156-7 ) ... 11 points.

1^st XI: The 1^sts were at home to Cumnor 2^nd, occupying second place in the League. The visitors won the toss and batted, losing their last wicket in the final over with the score at an apparently attainable 208.
This was a lost opportunity because earlier Cumnor had been reeling with the score in the 140s with only a couple of wickets left, thanks mainly to Gareth Lawson (4-53). However, with Andy Hitchcock on holiday and Steve Greaves hampered by shoulder problems, the Cumnor tail put on what proved to be a match-saving performance.
Several of the PRCC batsmen, including Brian Piggott (promoted as part of the Club's youth policy), flattered to deceive and got themselves out just as they started to look set. This did not apply to skipper Adam Morton who made a good and solid 67. The final 7 or so overs were rather tedious to watch with the injured Jon Witney struggling to run and holding on for the draw.

2^nd XI: The 2^nds visited Henley 3^rd (also second in their division), lost and now look set for the drop after just one season in Division 8.
Winning the toss again Graeme Pitt elected to bat but only Graham Linger (34) contributed to a meagre 83 runs with one wicket standing.
This was never enough and Henley had little difficulty in knocking off the requisite runs to win by 7 wickets.
PRCC (83-9) ... 6 points; Henley 3^rd ... 30 points.

1^st XI: The 1^st XI, away to Buckingham 2^nds, had the doubtful privilege of winning the toss yet again. Batting first they made a creditable 227 for the loss of 6 wickets off their 50 overs. Most of the early batsmen contributed, with Rafe Morton making 57 followed by Dick Griffin (46), Dave Linger (26) and Tim Brooker (27 n.o.).
However the total just wasn't enough with PRCC short of bowling. Despite the sterling efforts of Brooker, who took all 4 wickets to fall at the cost of 71 runs, Buckingham cruised to a 6 wicket victory.
PRCC (227-6) ... 14 points; Buckingham 2^nd ... 30 points.

2^nd XI: The 2^nds, at home to League leaders Horspath 2^nd lost the toss and were put in. Against extremely tight bowling run-scoring was hard work and they struggled to get over the ton, even though they still had 3 wickets standing at the end of the 45 overs. Graham Linger top-scored with 33 runs.
Horspath had little difficulty in knocking off the required runs and won by 6 wickets.
PRCC (116-7) ... 9 points; Horspath 2^nd (117-4) ... 30 points.

1^st XI: The 1^sts were at home to Challow & Childrey 2^nd and, on a weekend when the entire league was washed out, reached 50-2 off 12 overs before the rains came. The teams departed with 10 points each.

2^nd XI: The 2^nds travelled to Bicester & North Oxford 3^rd but the match was abandoned without a ball bowled. Once again the teams collected 10 points each.

1^st XI: Visiting League leaders Horspath, who look set to make it back-to-back promotions, the 1^sts made 202 all out after a cracking start by Dave Linger (73) and Adam Morton (54) who put on 94 for the first wicket.
After Adam Morton took 3 of the first 4 wickets PRCC looked as if they might be in with a shout but they missed Steve Greaves, away on holiday. An unbroken 5^th wicket partnership took Horspath to a comfortable win, Morton ending with 3-60.
**PRCC (202) ... 14 points; Horspath (206-4) ... 30 points.

2^nd XI: The 2^nds, at home also faced strong opposition in the shape of Cumnor 3^rd. Once again Risborough's batting let them down, albeit against a good bowling attack and they paid the penalty for not scoring enough runs.
Graeme Pitt won the toss and, batting on a good wicket, PRCC struggled against the tightest bowling they'd seen this year. With only Damien Piggott (57 n.o.) and Nick Thomas (31) making any sort of score, the 2^nds lost 9 wickets in posting up a quite inadequate score.
Cumnor duly cruised to the required total, though they lost 5 wickets in doing so.
PRCC (125-9) ... 10 points; Cumnor 3^rd (128-5) ... 30 points.

Bucks Senior Cup: For the first time in recent memory the Club failed to raise a team for this prestigious tie and had to concede to Beaconsfield without bowling or facing a ball!

1^st XI: The 1^st XI was at home to Didcot, 1 place above us in the league and, if PRCC had hopes of closing the gap, we were sorely disappointed. The day got even gloomier with PRCC batting first and making only a modest 110. Didcot duly knocked them off even though they lost 5 wickets in the process.
PRCC (110) ... 9 points; Didcot (113-5) ... 30 points.

2^nd XI: The 2^nds at least made a respectable score, away to Cropredy 2^nd. After winning the toss Graeme Pitt's men made 171 in their 46 overs thanks mainly to Graham Linger (49) and Brian Piggott (39).
However the score was clearly not enough for our limited bowling to defend and Cropredy cruised to a 7 wicket win, allowing them to overtake us in the points table and putting the 2's into the relegation zone.
PRCC (171-7) ... 10 points; Cropredy 2^nd (172-3) ... 30 points.

1^st XI: The 1^st XI, away to Long Marston, once again paid the price of winning the toss and inserting the opposition. On the usually high-scoring Marston pitch PRCC thought they had done well to restrict the home side to 224-7, Andy Hitchcock taking 4-62.
However PRCC struggled to make the required runs and ended up 29 short of the target with 4 wickets left. Although the tactic meant that Marston gained only 9 points over us they could not have overtaken us this week and closer rivals Buckingham 2^nd moved 8 points nearer.
Long Marston (224-7) ... 16 points; PRCC (196-6) ... 7 points.

2^nd XI: The 2^nds were at home to Chearsley 2^nd and, unlike the corresponding fixture 2 years ago, had a thrilling and enjoyable match. In a thrilling finish to a match played in very good spirit Chearsley made the winning runs off the penultimate ball.
The visitors won the toss and put us in. On a beautiful Risborough wicket Graham Linger (58) celebrated his return after knee surgery by opening and scoring a half century. Further down the order Dave Brooker continued his purple patch with an unbeaten 68, the whole being rounded off with 38 n.o. from Damien Piggott.
When the visitors batted, veteran Brooker made it difficult for them with tight bowling. However with a lightning-fast outfield most of the batting side contributed and Chearsley 2^nds won by 3 wickets
PRCC (209-2) ... 16 points; Chearsley 2nd (210-7) ... 30 points.

Sunday - President's Day dawned wet and miserable and this continued until all hope of play had been abandoned! However there was a super buffet lunch and wine enjoyed by all present, courtesy of Mrs President Witney, resplendent in her new PRCC t-shirt.

1^st XI: The 1^sts came back from Wallingford with a full haul of 30 points after outclassing the opposition.
Wallingford won the toss and batted but could only manage 90 all out, thanks to Tim Brooker (5-57) and Gareth Lawson (4-27) leaving Chairman Steve Greaves wondering what his figures might have been after bowling one over and taking 1-1.
Although the wicket was not as true as Risborough's PRCC had little difficulty knocking off the runs to win by 6 wickets with the runs spread between Adam Morton (23), Dave Linger (20) and Dick Griffin (22 n.o.)
Wallingford (90) … 7 points; PRCC (91-4) ... 30 points.

2^nd XI: The 2^nd XI recorded their first true win of the season at home to Wallingford 2^nds.
Wallingford won the toss and elected to bat. They had a very slow and shaky start and were fortunate to reach the 150 mark after being pinned down by Nick Thomas and veteran Keith Campbell (3-67) in the early stages. Dave Brooker pinned them down later taking 3-29.
Openers Dave Brooker (43) and Dave Hasted (48) nearly reached their combined ages but were parted when the PRCC total reached 100. Jug-avoidance specialist Brooker went in the forties for the second week running. Then, with only 20 or so runs needed and with Paul Daly going well, Kamikaze Hasted went for a stupid run. Daly and Damien Piggott saved their averages and duly collected the points. PRCC won by 8 wickets
Wallingford 2^nd (157) ... 8 points; PRCC (158-2) ... 30 points.

Bucks Cup 17 July although we were all ready and waiting Stoke Green failed to appear! More...

1^st XI: The 1^st XI won again, this time at home to Milton Keynes Park 2^nds. The visitors won the toss and good bowling led by Tim Brooker (5-36) saw them subside to 82 all out.
Openers Dave Linger (37 n.o.) and Adam Morton (38 n.o.) had little difficulty in knocking off the runs without loss.
Milton Keynes Park (82) ... 3 points; PRCC (85-0) ... 30 points.

2^nd XI: The 2^nds, struggling for players, managed to hold on for an inglorious draw away to Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 4^th. Having won the toss the home team proceeded to 200-8 despite the sterling efforts of Dave Brooker (5-53).
Dave must have felt that he was on his own when PRCC batted, having contributed 41 out of the meagre total which the 2^nds had made when stumps, like the match, were drawn.
Oxford & Bletchingdon (200-8) ... 13 points; PRCC (103-4) ... 12 points.

1^st XI: The 1^sts were at home to Brackley and, winning the toss, made a respectable 220-5 thanks to Adam Morton (49) and Andy Hitchcock (46) who were presumably both fined for jug avoidance!
In reply Brackley struggled against the bowling of the two Tims - Brooker (4-57) and Chubb (4-38) (more jug avoidance?) and succumbed 75 runs short of the PRCC total.
PRCC  (220-5) ... 30 points; Brackley (145 all out) ... 11 points.

2^nd XI: The 2^nds - details are awaited

1^st XI: The 1^sts away against Cumnor 2^nd struggled against the tight bowling of the league leaders with only Tim Brooker (40) making a significant contribution.
Their total of 157-6 was never enough and Cumnor needed only 31 overs to reach their target for the loss of only 3 wickets.
PRCC (157-6) ... 9 points; Cumnor 2^nd (160-3) ... 30 points

2^nd XI: The 2^nds regretted winning the toss (again) at home against Henley 3^rds. In an almost mirror-image of the first XI they made 155-7 thanks only to Sean Saunders (56) and Paul Daly (34).
Henley lost even fewer wickets than their Cumnor counterparts and cruised to a win by 8 wickets.
PRCC (155-7) ... 8 points; Henley 3^rd (158-2) ... 30 points

1^st XI: The 1^sts drew a high-scoring game at Risborough. Winning the toss Adam Morton put Buckingham 2^nds in, hoping to be able to force a win on a 'shirt-front'. The Risborough bowlers and fielders suffered on what was probably the hottest day of the season to date while the visitors ground on to a massive 273-7. On a lean day for bowlers Adam managed 3-51.
In reply PRCC had a number of useful contributions from Morton (74), Dave Linger (53) and Dick Griffin (45) but just fell too far behind the run rate, ending 45 runs short with 5 wickets still standing.
As a tactic putting the opposition in failed, with PRCC penalised to the tune of 8 points by the League scoring system.
Buckingham 2^nds (273-7) ... 15 points; PRCC (228-5) ... 9 points.

2^nd XI: The 2^nds lost heavily away at Horspath. Batting first PRCC never looked like making enough runs and only Brian Piggott (46) scored anything worthwhile.
Horspath 2^nd had no difficulty, knocking off the runs for the loss of only 4 wickets.
PRCC (124-9) ... 9 points; Horspath 2^nd (127-4) ... 30 points.

1^st XI: The 1^sts had the better of a high-scoring draw over at Challow. Thanks mainly to a fine ton from skipper Adam Morton (139 n.o.) PRCC ended on a substantial 240-3, with Tim Brooker (53) assisting.
With a few overs to go Challow started to lose wickets in an attempt to get the runs having been pinned down in the main by a long bowl from Chairman and veteran Steve Greaves (2-54). Adam Morton also contributed with 2-46 on what is always a good batting track, leaving the home side 19 runs short.
PRCC (240-3) ... 16 points; Challow & Childrey 2^nd (222-6) ... 13 points.

2^nd XI: The 2^nds were hosts to Bicester and North Oxford 3^rd. Graeme Pitt won the toss and batted on a beautiful wicket and a fine sunny afternoon. After a good start PRCC languished in the middle of the innings after the departure of Brian Piggott (41 - runs not age!) and despite a workmanlike 57 from Damien Piggott PRCC ended on 165-5.
PRCC probably regretted winning the toss later as, although an early breakthrough by Nick Thomas made things look promising, there were never enough runs to defend. Bicester and North Oxford started to take charge and knocked them off for the loss of only 4 wickets, C Heron starring with 110 not out.
PRCC (165-5) ... 11 points; Bicester and North Oxford 3rd (168-4) ... 30 points

1^st XI: The 1^st XI crashed again at home to Horspath. The batting simply didn't make enough runs with only Dick Griffin (53) and Rafe Morton (37) contributing anything worthwhile to the total of 141.
Horspath didn't find it as easy as might be expected and lost 6 wickets before they finally reached their target .
PRCC (141) ... 12 points, Horspath (144-6) ... 30 points.

2^nd XI: The 2^nds were away to Cumnor 3rd but didn't fare any better. Once again the batting didn't deliver and we struggled to 114 all out.
The hosts had little difficulty in getting home by 5 wickets.
PRCC (114) … 9 points; Cumnor (118-5) ... 30 points

1^st XI: The 1^sts lost their winning touch away to Didcot. On what is usually a high-scoring ground we held the home side to 196-7 thanks to Steve Greaves (4-34) and Adam Morton (3-26).
However the batting did us no favours and we struggled to 146 all out, Didcot taking the last Princes Risborough wicket with the penultimate ball of the final over to clinch a 50-run victory.
PRCC... 5 points; Didcot ... 30 points

2^nd XI: Short of bowling on a very easy pitch PRCC could not contain visitors Cropredy who made a mighty 246-3 off their 46 overs.
In reply the 2^nds ended on 156-6 to take a draw, thanks to Brian Piggott (57).
PRCC... 9 points; Cropredy … 16 points

1^st XI: The 1^sts nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory at home on Saturday against Wallingford.
The visitors batted first and languished for a long time and at the halfway mark it looked as if they might to struggle to get much above 150. Risborough's grip slackened and eventually Wallingford rallied to finish on 205-7, Gareth Lawson taking 3-43.
With skipper Adam Morton under the weather Andy Hitchcock was promoted to start the innings with regular opener Dave Linger. On a slightly slow wicket the pair grafted well and reached 137 before they were parted, Linger making 62 while 'Hitch' went on to 85. It looked settled with the home side on 164-3 and time to spare, but a series of careless shots in attempting to score boundaries rather than get the runs in ones and twos left us needing 8 runs in the last 2 overs. In the event PRCC scraped home on 206-6.
PRCC 30 points, Wallingford 15 points

2^nd XI: The 2^nds were away to Wallingford 2^nd XI and lost by 6 wickets.
Having won the toss PRCC batted first and made 157-7, the runs spread fairly evenly through the side. Wallingford had little difficulty in making this total and ended on 160-4.
PRCC 10 points, Wallingford 30 points.

1^st XI: The 1^sts beat Milton Keynes Park 2 away by 6 wickets. PRCC won the toss and put MKP in to bat. The home side struggled to 156-9 with Steve Greaves pinning them down and ending up with 5-48.
Raife Morton (78 not out) steered PRCC to 157-4 off 38.4 overs assisted by Tim Brooker (38)
PRCC 30 points MKP 10 points

2^nd XI: The 2^nds lost to Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 4^th by 4 wickets.
PRCC won the toss and batted, but only made 167-5 despite the efforts of Damian Piggott (91 not out) - incidentally he made the same score early last season!
The 2^nds just hadn't the bowling to defend this score and the visitors made 168 for the loss of 6 wickets thaanks to West's 51 n.o.
PRCC 13 points Oxford 30 points.