CRICKET: Cumnor teenagers take centre stage in Village Cup win

Mannering, 18, claimed 5-23 before 17-year-old Ackland hit an unbeaten 51 as the hosts defeated last year’s finalists – who were under-strength – with a fine display yesterday.

Cumnor’s decision to bowl first paid immediate dividends when Adam Jones struck in the first over, having Markus Jeacock caught at square leg by Mannering for a duck.

However, Robbie Catling and Jordan Garrett put on a half-century partnership for the second wicket, before Devane Warner trapped Garrett lbw with his first ball.

Harry Smith helped keep the scoreboard ticking over and, having progressed to 89-2, Tew were well-placed.

But Smith became Warner’s second wicket and soon after Lloyd Brock was bowled by Carl Thompson as the visitors slipped to 105-4.

When Thompson removed Robbie Shurmer, Tew were in trouble at 109-5.

And then Mannering skittled the tail.

His first dismissal was claiming the crucial wicket of opening Catling, who fell for 45 when he was caught by Joe Dale at deep square leg with the score on 111.

Two more victims fell without any addition to the score, and Mannering wasted little time in claiming his five-wicket haul, Dale taking another catch in the deep to wrap up the innings at a below-par 121.

However, Cumnor’s reply got off to an equally bad start, Jimmy Lee caught at cover by Jeacock in Shurmer’s opening over.

Dale was then trapped leg before to left-arm spinner Thomas and – controversially – skipper Matt Lake was out off the seventh ball in the same over, caught by mid on by Shurmer to make it 23-3.

Josh Washbourn-Calcutt and Ackland started the recover with a 45-run partnership, before the former was bowled by Kevin Taylor.

However, Ackland, batting with much maturity, joined forces with Thompson and their 54-run stand led Cumnor to victory.

The teenager finished the match 51 not out, hitting four fours in Shurmer’s final over, including three successive boundaries to wrap-up victory.