As the temperature soars this weekend, so does the pressure for The Oaks to win some games. All three teams will be looking to put their recent narrow defeats behind them.
First XI
The First XI entertain Sparsholt II’s at Oakley Park in what already looks like an early season relegation battle. Despite a narrow defeat last week, the lads will be boosted by a good performance, with half-centuries for Clive Welsman, Dan Jones, and Mickey Wood. in a roller coaster of a game offering much encouragement.
There are several changes though, with Gayan Liyanage, Fawad Amin, George Lethaby and Ross Hunter all unavailable. Josh Carpenter is back from a minor injury and Chris Morris’s shattered nose is healing, so he is also back. Campervan Bayliss returns to show Ross Hunter how it is done with the gloves. Mike ‘Bronson’ Bryant, fills the vital ‘scaring the opponents shitless’ role.
We don’t know much about Sparsholt, other than the fact they must be underperforming. It is vunusual for a club that plays SPL cricket, to have a weak second string; they are bound to bounce back soon. To stand a chance, The Oaks will need to be on form and seeking to build on last week’s effort.
Personally, this game is a bit special, as it is sprinkled with stardust. Back in the early 90’s when I lived with my friends in Reading, we had a signed photograph of Sparsholt batsman, Andy Steggles.
The photo was hung next to another that featured former TVS weatherman, Carl ‘Cold damp and nasty’ Tiler. Both were gifted to us by my then girlfriend, who worked at the AA Press Office and had privileged access to the stars. Steggles, a semi-ironic pin-up in our house, could be seen late on a wet Tuesday night, presenting football matches between the likes of Southend and Maidstone. His stoical attempts at enthusiasm gave him cult status in the back streets of Reading, if nowhere else.
Second XI
The Second XI will be looking to put right a baffling run of form where they appear to have mastered the art of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Captain and run machine, Jack Brundle, has another ‘good on paper’ team, and will be looking to gel several encouraging individual performances into a winning formula.
There are changes. Steve ‘Blouse’ Bown, is unavailable, whilst Josh Carpenter and Mike Bryant are back in the ones. They a replaced by the returning George ‘Behind the Stumps’ Ruttman, Noah Beckell and Ollie Rabley, who step up from third team duty last week. Jeff King is also back from a vintage top edge hospitalisation at Whitchurch.
Old Basing III’s are always a decent outfit and Sherfield is a horrible pitch to play on (lids on lads). The boys will need to be bang on it to halt a losing streak that needs to end soon. Otherwise, Jack won’t be staring down the barrel of a dreaded ‘vote of confidence’. No people whatsoever are queueing up for this enviable role.
Third XI
The Third XI will be looking to bounce back from an exciting defeat at Basingstoke last time out. Looking at Dan’s line-up, he appears to be in great position with bowlers but a bit light on batting. The absence of the obdurate experience provided by Phil ‘Chippy’ Carpenter (injured) is a real blow to the side. However, Dan is good at producing unlikely heroes to partner him.
This week the batting heroes could easily be, Kris Tucknott, Will Rabley, or Ravi ‘The Vijayawada Express’ Kancharla. It won’t be Deano ‘The Journo’ James, who misses out despite impressing with last week’s match report. Deano is replaced by Matty Clift, who makes his first Saturday appearance of 2021.
Having youngsters, Herbie Hamilton and Harry Tucknott as genuine strike bowlers, is a big bonus. There is also plenty of bowling back up from 80’s pop stars Avi and Ravi, as well as South African duo, Mike ‘expensive’ De Vos and Taner ‘Export’ McEwan.
Opponents, Ramsdell, have had a shocking start to the season, but The Oaks need to be aware of ageing local journeyman all-rounder, Mat Vickery. Matt could win any game on his own, especially if he was allowed to open both the batting and bowling. He is that good. They also carry the threat of Pete Ballard. If anyone bowls into his ark, Pete will hit the ball into laps of a bemused rowing team sat on The River Thames, just west of Hammersmith Bridge.
Going to be a close game this one and I have a hunch it will be one that is won by the bowlers. Don’t take my word for it though, as I am generally wrong.
So, have a great weekend chaps. The promise is for wall to wall sunshine, with no rain threat. Sun lotion out, hats on…vroom, vroom, the Oakley bus is ready for three victories and a cold after match beer in the June sunshine.
What could be better?
