So, here we go again. It’s that time of the season where, once again, we have the B3400 double header. The local derby featuring ‘The Battle of The O’s. Not the ‘Fake O’s’ mind, we are talking the real deal. That’s right, it’s the two local derbies that everyone who plays cricket for Overton or Oakley is talking about.
A day when the biggest cricket teams in their respected villages meet. The match up that has been dubbed by not many, as a heavyweight clash of the cricketing gods. It’s so big, football legend, Paul Gascoigne, is coming to watch. In a Basingstoke Gazette exclusive, the journalist revealed that his nickname is ‘Gazza’. What a scoop!
Legend in Town: Paul ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne is an Overton Superfan
Fitting then, that there is a bit of jeopardy in the weather forecast. Players and literally ones of Oaks and Overton fans are scrambling for their weather apps that are so accurate, they can predict just one spot of rain landing in the hamlet of Deane. The truth is, such is the nature of thunderstorms, one could wipe out Berrydown, whilst Oakley Park stays dry. Some of the older barstool bullshitters at the club even claim that Oakley Park has its own microclimate.
Microclimate Myth
This, of course, is a total myth which has about as much truth in it as legendary Oak, Phil Bullen, once saying, “Just the 5 overs for me today chaps, it’s important everyone gets a game”. All any of us know, is that an afternoon storm is a genuine possibility. This would be a shame as both the ‘O’s First XI teams are showing excellent early season form. There is the potential for a cracker of a game that will be a (Frog) Box Office hit. Hopefully without a TikTok pipsqueak trying to play a leading role.
O’s First XI v O’s First XI – Oakley Park
The First XI shape up with James Bayliss once again making a few changes. Michael Wood, who decided to find some form last week, is celebrating by heading off to Chris Morris’s second stag weekend of the summer (is one not enough?).
Sadly, Mike Tiley is out for a year due to a snapped Achilles needing an operation and wicket keeper, Paddy Saines, is doing something else. I am not sure what? We wish Mike a speedy recovery and hope to see him back next season, poor sod.
Brad’s Back in Town
To soften the blow, Brad Compton-Bearne and Graeme Ridler are back in town and Ian Bennett replaces Paddy with the gloves. So, three players who are capable of big runs and plenty of chirp from the irrepressible Overton legend, Andy Galvin (don’t bite Ian, don’t bite). Otherwise, it’s as you were from last week’s comprehensive win when the opposition didn’t score nearly enough runs on a 250 plus, pitch.
The Oaks can’t possibly expect Overton to put on such a paltry total and it promises to be a game of fine margins. There is good batting and bowling match ups in both the sides. Overton have batting throughout the team, so expect this to be a game where the ol’ pendulum uses up more swinging energy than a Hurstbourne Priors dinner party. My prediction is that the winners will be the team that holds their nerve…unless of course the weather gets involved?
O’s Second XI v O’s Second XI
The second XI go to Berrydown after a couple of bruising defeats. This, despite posting 200 + with the bat on both occasions, indicating just where their problems lie. At the start of the season, Jack looked at the spine of his team and saw runs and wickets coming from, Mike Bryant, George Lethaby, Ian Bennett, and Alex Brundle. Could a promotion tilt be on? It looked a strong side.
Well, they all started well but have now, apart from Mike, disappeared from the line up. Ian and AB to the First XI and George off to a family event up north somewhere. So, not great for Jack but that’s second team captaincy for you. He has also lost Nellie Warner, Chris Morris, and Steve Bown from last week’s team, so the depth of the squad is taking a bit of a hammering.
Who Comes In?
So, who comes in? Is there anyone left? Well, Ollie Rabley, Dan Beckell, Ben Robinson, and Jeff Triner come in from the 3’s and George Rutt is back for his bi-weekly game. So, that’s those changes dealt with. Staying in the team from last week are Will Rabley, Noah Beckell, Jack Brundle, Tom Hartgill and Nigel Bishop, all decent players on their day. To have that many missing and still field a competitive side, is a sign we are in good shape.
This one ain’t going to be easy but there are enough bowlers and batsmen there to hopefully make a decent fist of what is always a close game. On paper, The Oaks won comfortably last year but, they were only one more Andy Gould wicket away from a collapse. The key is to get that canny old git out of the way and build from there. We need the batsmen to knuckle down and build an innings.
Without AB and George, the bowling looks a bit light. However, JT and Ollie will provide good support for Big Mike and Noah Beckell and can easily compete at this level. So, a tough gig for the Two’s but a bit of guts and desire will go a long way to having a good day.
Third XI v No One
The Third XI game has been cancelled. That’s the problem with playing against 5th Teams, they are always likely to let you down. Very frustrating when captains have spent the week putting teams together. Does a club really need a 5th team? Perhaps they do but creating additional teams just in case the 4ths occasionally have too many players, seems a bit ambitious. Something for the HCL to look at, perhaps?
Focus on a Good Day!
Anyway, whatever the case, let’s hope for a good day. Overton are a good club to play against. Like Oakley they have good times and bad but have a core membership that always keep it buoyant. The games, because of the location of the clubs, are often spicy, sometimes niggly, but never spiteful, and you will always see a bar full of Overton players after the game, win or lose. It should always be a game to enjoy on and off the pitch. Let’s do that again.
On we travel my merry men, on we travel.
