Upperthong CC - 1st XI v Delph & Dobcross CC - 1st XI
Delph & Dobcross 215 all out (46.0 overs)
Upperthong 190 all out (46.3 overs)
Delph & Dobcross won by 25 runs
Man of the Match: Harsh Rane
Delph & Dobcross were crowned 2026 Oddfellows Cup champions after holding off a determined Upperthong fightback to secure a 25-run victory in an absorbing final at Upperthong Cricket Club.
Having elected to bat first, Delph never completely dominated but produced enough useful contributions throughout the order to post a challenging 215.
Captain Nathan Jones set the tone with a brisk 36, while Jack Hague added 21 before Harsh Rane's impressive spell threatened to swing the contest firmly in Upperthong's favour. The home side's all-rounder ripped through the middle order with outstanding figures of 5-24, reducing Delph from a promising position to 126-6.
Just as Upperthong sensed an opportunity to dismiss their visitors cheaply, Delph found the response they needed. Arman Hussain made an important 34 before George Lee Partington changed the momentum with a lively 28 from only 24 deliveries, striking two sixes. Callum Sykes Quarmby then added a valuable 27 in the closing overs as Delph battled their way to 215 all out.
That total looked well within Upperthong's reach for long periods of the chase.
Skipper William Oakley anchored the innings with a composed half-century before Delph struck regularly to leave the home side wobbling at 120-7. But just when the tie appeared to be slipping away, Rane produced a sensational counter-attacking innings that almost turned the game on its head.
The all-rounder hammered 75 from just 65 balls, clearing the boundary six times and refusing to let Delph settle. With every clean strike the target looked increasingly attainable as the visitors' advantage steadily disappeared.
However, Delph kept their composure at the crucial moments. Daniel Jones led the way with an excellent spell of 4-39, while Stevel Rodney claimed two key wickets to ensure Upperthong could never quite complete the recovery.
Man of the Match Rane was eventually the final wicket to fall with Upperthong dismissed for 190, leaving Delph celebrating a hard-earned 25-run success.
Congratulations to Delph & Dobcross!
