From our Third Team guest correspondent, Deano James
On a warm day at Stratton Park Oakley 3s won the toss and put Basingstoke 5th XI into bat. Basingstoke got to 19 without loss before Harry Tucknott got their captain out after gloving it straight into Will Rabley’s hands. This was the start of something special for the Tucknott family.
Basingstoke then lost their 2nd wicket after only putting on a 4-run partnership. It was great bowling by Ollie.
A big 3rd wicket partnership of 86 runs came for Basingstoke. Their number 4 batsmen made 49 before being given plumb LBW off Avis bowling. Basingstoke batsmen kept coming in and going. Next notable batsman for Basingstoke was their number 3 batsman who scored 54. I believe he was only a young lad, and it was a great knock.
I can’t remember who took what’s catches off what bowlers but a mention to Kris Tucknott who took a super one-handed diving catch. The done was that good Tom Daley would have been proud of it. He also said he was busy talking to squad leg which makes the catch even better.
So it was Oakley turn to bat and try and chase down 188 to win. Kris Tucknott and Dan Beckell opened the batting for the oaks. After a solid start unfortunately, Dan was first to go. That brought Phil to the crease.
Next to go with Kris with 11. Olly came to the crease and him and Phil put on a 61-run partnership. Before Phil departed for 34 but not before he hit a massive 6. Sav came in and swung the bat, but he soon got out for 5 he was. also dropped twice I do believe. In came Will Rabley
Olly then got out for 37 then. Ravi came in for a hit. Ravi and Will put on 49 partnerships before Will departed for 29.
In came Deano. The little said about his innings the better. He did make Ravi run 2 lots of 2 and they put on a massive partnership of 8 before Deano was bowled for a Duck.
Avi came in and we all thought he was going to be the hero until he decided to run out not 1 but 2 of his own teammates. First to be run out was Ravi who was batting brilliantly and could have won us the game; then in came Harry Tucknott.
Avi then decided to run him out. So, in came Herbie. By this time Oakley needed 10 off the last over to win. First ball of last over went for a wide and the oaks thought that we might just do it until unfortunately Herbie got bowled and Oakley lost by 9 runs.
It was a tough defeat to take but all the Oakley boys dug in and had parts to play in the game. Up with heads and let’s get back on the bus ready for next weekend’s game.
Up the Oaks.