The first team, weakened by the absence of Tommy Holbrook, Paddy Saines, Steve Bown and Gerry Dique, went down without much of a fight against Mottisfont, despite a brave 50 from Clive Welsman who was carrying a nasty hand injury.
Clive was one of a few who offered resistance
The game was shaped by the Mottisfont number 3, who after a couple of early scares, nearly playing on twice to a couple of George Lethaby short and wide looseners, got his eye in and took control of the game with an innings that combined stern defence when required and agricultural hitting of anything loose.
Although a couple half-chances came and went and Clive slowed him down for a while, his excellent innings of 160 not-out was pivotal in a final total of 252.
If you don’t get players like that out early in their innings, you pay a hefty price, and none of the Oakley bowlers will want to see their figures.
In reply, apart from Clive’s excellent 50 and 25 from Scotty Bright, the Oaks offered limited resistance or appetite for a fight against the odds with ducks and single figures littering the score-card.
A bad day at the office.
Up the Oaks!