Report from Michael Wood
Oakley 2s Victor Cup campaign started with a home game with local rivals Kingsclere. New skipper Bown started the day badly by not having a match ball but he will get better with experience. After losing the toss the oaks were put in to field. It was a young opening bowling partnership of Foxy aka ‘The Hat Man’ along with Joshy carpenter.
My God did they start well! Josh got the first wicket which he didn’t even know about. A slight edge off the batsman’s glove straight into the hands of ever reliable Savage. From then the Oaks didn’t look back with ‘The Hat Man’ Foxy also getting a well deserved wicket. On came Nathan aka ‘And then there were 2’ who also bowled superbly grabbing 2 wickets, while at the other end Tall Jeff bagged himself 3 wickets with some hostile off spin.
The reliable Ravi also got 3 wickets cleaning up the tail. Special mention to ‘The Hat Man’ Fox who took a great catch. Oakley fielded well with Mozza saving runs with his pace and woody blocking everything that came his way at gully.
Bown’s Oaks were set 129 to win. With a strong batting line up the oaks fancied their chances.
Savage and Tall Jeff opened, with Savage going early and bringing Woody to the crease. Woody and Tall Jeff looked in complete control ticking the run rate over with Woody hitting a huge 6 which landed in the fish and chip shop in Kempshott. However just when it looked like it was going to be a simple run chase, Woody, Tall Jeff and Bown all went in quick succession in what looked like a typical Oakley collapse.
This meant Jack Brundle and Mozza had to steady the ship and that they did. Mozza turning 1s into 2s with some good running between the wickets and Jack looking good. The game looked won as Oakley reached 90 before Jack went to a sharp caught and bowled. This brought Brad Welsman to the crease who is beginning to look like a very handy batsman. Mozza was batting beautifully and reached 49 with Oakley needing 8 to win. Brad was facing with the whole of the club house expecting him to get a single so Mozza could get his 50. Instead he whacked two lovely 4s meaning Oakley had won. Brad is my new favourite player after doing this!
However Mozza did bat really well getting 49 not out was man of the match. He’ll get a 50 in no time if he bats like that. It was a great win with everyone (apart from Bowny) chipping in.
Up the oaks
Bown’s army