So, after 5 days of Bazball and chaotic entertainment in the first Ashes Test (shouldn’t have declared) its back to the real thing as The Oaks look to go again in search of an elusive Saturday hat-trick. After a bit of volatility and much needed rain, the weather looks good again, with all three teams in action across the region. There is a great opportunity for a trio of wins but all three sides are playing teams in and around them, so it will be some achievement.
First XI v RAM
Perhaps the toughest gig of all three is the arrival of RAM CC at Oakley Park. RAM are a bustling, frantic and all action team (RAMBALL?) that can blow opposition away in the blink of the eye, so The Oaks will need to be prepared.
As is ever the case, there are changes to the line-up from last week, with skipper, James Bayliss, returning to the line-up along with Matt Burrell. Out of the team go Paddy Saines, Gerry Dique and Charlie Ead, with Nigel Bishop also coming in. Gerry and Paddy are unavailable whilst Charlie goes into the Two’s for some game time after a hip injury.
Otherwise, it’s as you were, with Gerry’s boots being big ones to fill after he (along with Josh Carpenter) stabilised The Oaks innings last week. The Oaks will certainly need someone to stick around in what will be a very hard game. There are several players who can step up and do that.
The bowling looks fine but will need to be prepared for an onslaught if RAM shift through the gears. If we can peg them back, frustration will set in, and chances will come. This is likely to be a tight game, but Oakley need to be bang on it from the first ball if they want to stick around at the top of the table.
It will certainly be a tough one.
Donnington v Oaks Two’s
The Good on Paper’s XI go to Donnington looking for a bounce back win as their season continues to have more ups and downs than the lift on the Shard. The Oaks welcome back several key players including Nellie Warner, George Rutt, Chris Morris, and George Lethaby. In an unlikely boost, Jack also finds himself blessed with First XI regular, Charlie Ead.
So, it is what looks like a good team (on paper) and presumably, it will need to be against a Donnington side who are feeling confident after two successive wins. However, one of those was against an Old Basing 4’s side struggling to keep going, and 2 of Oakley’s three defeats have been against a top two that look a cut above the rest of the league; at least so far.
That makes this game a difficult one to call and one a betting man would not go near, unless that betting man was Paul Merson. I am plumping for a narrow Oaks win. This is based on nothing other than the fact I am the chairman, and to say anything else would be tantamount to treason.
Basingstoke V v Three’s
The Third XI travel to the beautiful surroundings of Stratton Park where they will be looking to build on last week’s uplifting victory whilst avoiding treading on dog turds. Basingstoke Vs are the opposition, and they will be full of confidence after whacking C & CF V for over 300 last week.
The Oaks looked a good side at times last week (despite a spectacular collapse late in their innings) and they have a balanced line up. Chair, Bob Lethaby, has dropped out with Covid, so in comes youngster, Will McCarthy, who looks ready for an increasing amount of Third XI action.
With nothing more than a gnats testicle separating these teams, it is another game that will be too close to call. However, a positive result will strengthen the 3’s grip on 6th place and go a long way to help Jeff cling onto his childhood dream of captaining a Third XI to a top half finish in Hants County North 5.
