A baking hot weekend in Hampshire saw another mixed bag as the First XI extended their lead at the top and the depleted seconds wilted in the heat to record a second successive defeat.
First XI Win Battle of The Oaks
The First XI saw off the challenge of Fair Oak with reasonable comfort on a roasting day down in southern Hampshire.
Arriving early for a 12:00 PM start (so they could watch the football during an extended tea break) The Oaks batted first, knowing a good start was important without captain and opener, Gerry Dique.
However, Clive Welsman departed early, leaving it up to Dan Sumner and Mick Wood to steady the ship, get the scoreboard moving, and most importantly of all, see off the openers.
They did so but Dan went for 21 with Woody also departing for a battling 34. However, Mike Tiley (24) and Alan North (who hit two huge sixes) kept the scoreboard racing along in a chaotic last quarter of the innings.
At one point it looked like maximum points with Brad Compton-Bearne pumping the ball around but when he departed in the thirties, it was up to ‘tail enders’ Rob Wood (21) and Dave Pistorious (10) to see the Oaks past 200.
It was another batting display where all eleven batsmen played a role, with Rob in particular, once again showing he is a more than capable batsman at this level.
So with 203 on the board, it was off to the local pub to cheer on the young England Lions in the World Cup Quarter-Final against Sweden. Well, it wasn’t actually, as the Fair Oak Captain changed his mind, making the whole point of an early start well…pointless.
This fired up The Oaks with Brad Compton-Bearne ripping through the Fair Oak top order, taking four vital wickets as he did so.
Rob Wood and Alex Brundle then took over, taking a couple apiece, with Alex taking the vital wicket of their opener who had passed 50 and was looking decent.
As far as I am aware, Sumner cleared up the tail but I haven’t received the score sheet so this is something a guess taken from the best parts of Woody’s report that, if you are a member of the ‘Alternative Oaks’ Facebook page, is well worth a read, if only for comedic purposes.
So the Oaks missed the football but they didn’t miss out on 23 points, despite missing their opening batsman and bowler. This demonstrates the depth in the squad and with nine wins on the bounce, they really are well set for promotion and the challenges that lie in wait.
Lacklustre Two’s Wilt Against Strengthened Overton
The Second XI succumbed to a second successive defeat on a scorcher of a day against Overton II at Oakley Park.
Already weakened by unavailability, The Oaks didn’t need to discover that Overton had promoted a First XI bowler and batsman into their ranks after their opposition (Silchester) had bailed out of a fixture.
Bowling first, The Oaks did make plenty of inroads into the Overton batting line up but found the excellent Andy Galvin, stubborn, belligerent and destructive as he made a match winning 74 in front of boisterous and occasionally moronic support from Overton first team players, who were under the influence of a bit too much sun and beer on World Cup Quarter-Final day.
The Oaks did stick in there in what were sultry conditions where tempers can easily fray, with Ollie Rabley (1) George Lethaby (2) Jack Brundle (3) and Ian Bennett (3) getting some reward for their efforts as Overton finished on 224 (I think). A special mention should also go to Will Rabley who fielded beautifully and throws the ball like an Exocet missile.
Both teams (Overton stuck to their pre-match agreement) then went in for tea and watched England win their Quarter-Final against Sweden in a fun and enjoyable clubhouse that was by now, impersonating a low budget sauna room.
Oaks and Overton players took an extended tea to watch the England v Sweden game
After the football, The Oaks went into bat looking tired after a long break and showed very little application against decent bowling. As far as I can recall (once again, I don’t have a scorecard) Steve Savage hung around for a bit as did Ollie, George Lethaby got 20 odd and James Wiltshire pumped the ball to all parts in an unbeaten 24 that added a bit of joy to what was a generally poor showing.
With any chance of an unlikely double promotion all but gone, The Oaks need to rejuvenate themselves and ensure that the season doesn’t peter out. However, much depends on availability as the focus understandably shifts to the First XI and their bid for the C4N title.
Overton and their captain, Steve, were sporting opponents who deserved their win, with most of them hanging around for a beer or two and a chinwag after a good spirited but one sided game.
We move on.
*Overton kindly donated their match fees to Oakley CC to help pay for the damage caused by the recent burglary. This was an excellent gesture from a local rival who we have a great relationship with. This comes along with other donations from Paul Sumner’s parents and Stuart Spalding, and goes directly back into repairs and improvements to security at OCC.