The Oakley first string narrowly missed out on a memorable victory versus Sparsholt today in a well fought game, played in good spirits.
Fielding first, all the lads bowled well to keep the score respectable but the introduction of Alex Dilley (son of former England player, Graham) turned the game Sparsholt’s way as he he started hitting the ball to all areas of the ground with an excellent display of aggressive batting.
Without any of the Oaks players doing much wrong this accelerated the score to a pretty formidable 247 with five wickets down.
Chasing the target, the Oaks got off to a bad start with Paddy Saines departing early, but captain, Darrel Dimond, steadied the ship and started going along nicely with in-form Gerry Dique.
Darrel went LBW whilst trying to push the score along, but his innings left the game well set up for Tommy Holbrook, who immediately looked in good touch whilst Gerry passed 50 at the other end
Unfortunately, a mix up cost Tommy’s wicket as both players collided mid-wicket and feeling partly at fault, Gerry lost a bit of composure and departed soon after for a well crafted 57, leaving the Oaks with it all to do.
Instead of caving in, every Oaks player worked hard to keep the game alive and after Clive Welsman and McLindon went, unselfishly pushing for runs, Steve Bown started an aggressive recovery backed up by George Lethaby who was pinch hitting at the other end.
Going Bown Fighting: Bownie tried to keeps the Oaks in it
When Bownie went, holing out after an excellent 35, the game looked up, but James Wiltshire, in his first innings for the Oaks, got his eye in and started hitting out and it looked like the impossible might be on, despite losing George at the other end who was replaced at the crease by Jimmy Bright.
Sadly, James was caught on the boundary for a brilliant 30, leaving Jimmy and Keith Cutmore with just a little too much to do as the Oaks were bowled out on the last ball for 236, just 12 short of victory.
Despite defeat, all of the Oakley players contributed to a spirited chase in a great game. It was just a shame they couldn’t quite get over the line as the result didn’t do justice to the overall team performance.
Up the Oaks!