The first team produced a stunning performance to put their nightmare start at Bentworth last week firmly behind them and dish out a beating to local rivals Whitchurch in warm May sunshine.
Batting first the Oaks suffered an early alarm, losing Dan Sumner, but Gerry Dique (47) looked a class act in a game where most of the batsmen did their bit, with other notable contributions coming from Neil Warner (40) Tom Holbrook (34) and Clive Welsman (22) in a total of 216.
Mr Reliable, Tom Holbrook, was once again bang on form with the ball and set about the Whitchurch attack with 2 wickets aided at the other end by the clever veteran, Clive Welsman, who snared four wickets with slow bowling that was varied and perplexing in equal measure.
A Great Team Effort By the First Eleven Yesterday
Dan Sumner also bowled well without the wicket he deserved and it was left to Jimmy Bright and George Lethaby to polish off the tail with George taking the three wickets required for victory, whilst Jimmy, back on form and on a full length, kept it tight at the other end and was desperately unlucky not to get the reward his bowling deserved.
All in all what would have impressed captain, Darrell Dimond, the most, was that this was a total team performance, with everyone contributing in all areas, and it was obvious to see that the Oaks are blessed with a young and athletic field that is worth a good twenty runs a game.
It was also great to see the second team, early victors over Easton, turn up and cheer the boys on to victory, demonstrating the unity and good spirit throughout the club.
All in all, with wins for the 11’s, 15’s, the first and second teams, it has to go down for a great weekend for the club.
Up the Oaks!