Oakley two’s produced a remarkable comeback yesterday to gain an excellent victory over high flying Petersfield in what was a thrilling contest.
Asked to bat first Oakley were blitzed by the excellent Petersfield attack and were reduced to 68-8 with only George Rutt making double figures. However, Michael Constantine remained firm and was aided by some wonderful stoical defence by Peter Holcroft in a stand of 64.
After Peter went, youngster Lofty Worth carried on his good work with a further stand of 24 with Michael who was smashing the ball all around the park before he was eventually dismissed for a brilliant 83.
This inspired Oakley in the field and a brilliant performance all round saw the Petersfield batting line up disintegrate, with Steve Bown the pick of the bunch with 4 wickets.
Further wickets came from Constantine (3) Ravi Kancharla (2) and Julian Worthington (1) as the Oaks bowled out Petersfield for 118 resulting in the most unlikely of victories.
Of course, all the plaudits go to Michael Constantine, but without the gutsy performances from Holcroft and Worth his innings would have not been possible and it has to remembered the Petersfield target was still a low one, so huge cricket to Oakley in the field for keeping the belief and winning the game.
Dan Beckall was rightly a proud captain yesterday evening.
Up the Oaks