The Oaks came up short just short in a game dominated by the bowlers on a scorching morning at the Bounty back pitch, the alternative venue, courtesy of rearrangements.
Overton batted first and an over or two apart, Oakley bowled and fielded pretty well, keeping the scoring rate down to a minimum. However, an expensive bonus over and a couple of late flurries got Overton to a respectable 124.
Overton and Oakley battling it out on a scorching morning
In reply, the Oaks just couldn’t get going in the face of some very good bowling from some aggressive deranged bloke behaving like an Australian Test Match player and apart from Alex Brundle (19) and Mike Tiley (23 no) resistance was minimal as the wickets tumbled.
20/20 is a nip and tuck game and if a catch from off the bat of Overton dangerman Andy Galvin, stuck, or one of three excellent catches Overton took, had gone down, the game may have taken another twist.
However, when all is said and done, in a game where the bowling and fielding was good from both sides, it was Overton who were marginally better on the day and they definitely deserved their victory in match that was generally played in good spirits between two clubs of similar stature.
Whilst spirits were temporarily dampened, Oakley can take credit for rearranging the game to suit Overton and if it was really that important, they (Oakley) could have demanded a 3:00 PM start against a depleted side.
But that’s just not cricket is it?
WE WON THE LEAGUE ANYWAY SO WHO CARES!?!?