Middleton Stars as Second XI Get Off to Winning Start

The sun finally shone on Oakley Park yesterday, with the Two’s entertaining Odiham’s Third XI. With a 0% chance of rain showing on the weather apps, it was hard to for the chairman to find anything to talk about. So he walked the dog.

Oaks Bowl First

Oakley bowled first and it was soon apparent this was a good decision. With the warmth of the sun sucking moisture from the pitch, there was incredible amounts of movement. The cherry was swinging like a 1970’s suburban dinner party.

Dave Bowers buoyed by being called metronomic by the chairman, opened with a wide. Dave quickly got his range though and he and Big Mike Bryant were soon causing problems. They removed both openers between them in stingy spells that went for not much. George Lethaby replaced Big Mike and also bowled well. This despite getting nailed for a huge six that came straight out of the screws. George also had some luck. It featured a wayward half tracker smashed straight into the palms of a stunned looking James Middleton.

Shane Middleton

AB replaced the excellent Bowers and bowled really well, keeping any chances of an Odiham surge at bay. The good bowling set the stage for James Middleton, who is looking like a bargain in the Fantasy League. James, a spinner learnt his trade on YouTube and became obsessed with becoming Oakley’s Shane Warne’ (without the nose candy and hookers). He ripped through the middle order and tail and was only denied a five wicket haul by a Mike Bryant jug intervention wicket. 

So, Odiham were all out for a paltry 89. The wickets went to Middleton (4) Bowers (2) Bryant (2) Lethaby and AB. Shane Middleton was the pick of the bowlers but they all did well.

The Chase

Chasing down the target was never going to be a complete cakewalk. Especially when Odiham unleashed 17 year old bowler, Archie Horne. Horne would go on to cause all sorts of problems but Jack (7) and Rutty (17) did well to use up the overs. The Oaks knew some more generous bowling would eventually arrive.

Rutty went to a Horne Jaffa and Jack got suckered into a wayward Lee Noble vomit inducer, but they had both done a decent job. Nige Bishop used up more of Horne’s deliveries before going to another great ball from the Odiham opener, who was getting understandably excited about the prospect of ripping through the Oakley order.

Enter Bully Boy Bennett

Fortunately, Ian Bennet and Alex Brundle saw off the last of the quick stuff, then it was lift off. AB, a great team player, was more than happy to play second fiddle to Ian, who was typically gorging on some slower wayward stuff, putting The Oaks in control. 

There was to be another twist though, with Ian’s enthusiasm getting the better of him, calling AB through for an unnecessary single. Ian was run out by about a mile and left the field in a state of incandescence with everyone except himself. It was a certain 50 missed and it was all his fault, the daft bugger.

When Neil Warner was out LBW  first ball, some on the balcony were discussing the kind of collapse that every village cricket club in the land thinks only they are capable of. A typical (insert any team name here) collapse. However, AB and George Lethaby weren’t particularly tested and eased The Oaks home without further alarm with a couple of lusty 4’s. Ok, we could have avoided losing 5 wickets but it was still a satisfactory batting performance.

In Summary

So, a win first game up, with a strong team delivering what it was capable of. The Two’s were caught out a few times last year by being complacent, thinking what looked a good side on paper, would deliver. On this evidence, they appear to have learnt from a few metaphorical custard pies in the face in 2022 and are ready to do themselves justice this year.

Talking of metaphorical custard pies in the face, next up…Bentworth!