Report by Dan Beckell
The under 15’s got off to a winning start over in Medstead this morning. Asked to bat first, opening batsmen Savindhu and Ryan picked up the scoring after a quiet first over with Ryan’s steady accumulation working well with Savindhu’s more aggressive batting. Some good running between the wickets helped the score increase and both retired not-out after 8 overs with the score on 59. Savindhu scored 40 and Ryan 9.
The next batsmen in were Noah and Josh who put on a stand of 70 in 8 overs, again with neither of them getting out. Noah scored all around the ground for his 18 and Josh peppered the boundary for his 46 runs. Some really good, positive running moved the score along.
Tom and Adam T then came in for the remaining 4 overs and, whilst the scoring slowed a little, they did face the best bowler in the Medstead line up who, curiously, was only given 2 overs. Pleasingly, neither got out which meant that Oakley ended up on 140 for 0, effectively.
Skipper Noah made sure that those that did not bat opened the bowling and it was a pleasure to see Logan and Adam N bowl so well. Both bowled as well as I have seen them and is a reflection of all the hard work they put in. Logan ended with figures of 3-1-6-1 and Adam N (who can consider himself very unlucky after bowling some beautiful away swing) 3-0-8-0.
Adam T and Harry then came on and the tight bowling continued, Adam picking up 3-0-7-2 and Harry 3-2-2-0. Harry was most unlucky with a dropped caught and bowled; showing scant regard for Newton’s Law of Physics, he decided to meet the dropping ball half-way, leaping like a salmon. However, Newton knew a thing or two, and his Third Law (for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction) saw Harry’s waiting hands now propel the ball upwards and out of his grasp.
Noah, Savindhu, and Josh finished things up, Noah bowling some off-breaks (he tells me), and Savindhu and Josh doing the right thing by slowing down from their usual speeds.
Medstead struggled to 58 in their 20 overs with the mighty Oaks running out comfortable winners.
An enjoyable game played the right way and in good spirits despite the cold and grey clouds.