Report from Noah Beckell
Oakley hosted St Mary Bourne on a wet Saturday where Ian did brilliantly to get the game on. He was up there at 6:30 for some reason, the madman. The 2’s were feeling confident after their brilliant win last time out and after we found out we were bowling in helpful conditions, we were ready to go. The frog-box wasn’t however (thank god in hindsight).
Oakley Struggle with Lack of Bowlers
Noah and Mike started brilliantly picking up 1 each early to put us on top. Mike bowling his usual quality and Noah not pitching it at his own toes. They were 17-2 after the first 10 with the Oaks in great early spirits. Mike then picked up another to leave them 47-3. After this, not much quality followed from many really. Jack picked up the important wicket of Alfie Smith who batted really well to 50 and then picked up another, clean bowled.
Jack says he could of had 3 with another LBW immediately after but that’s not village cricket apparently. His words not mine and I am not buying that it was out. Bowling depth was an issue at this point as Ian Bennet came on to bowl. With all due respect to Ian he isn’t really a bowler but still picked up a wicket after bamboozling the batsmen. Then the fun started for St Mary Bourne who from 141-6 finished on 288-6 and I’ll explain how.
First ball for George Bullpitt he skies. Surely a catch? No, a miscommunication between Nigel and Nelly means the ball lands safe. 12 fours and 7 sixes later he had a 100. An interesting last 12 overs to say the least, but credit to George Bullpitt, he batted really well. Credit also to Mark Lancaster , who finished on 65 not out. We all forgot he was batting to be honest but he played the situation perfectly.
Chasing 288
Opening the bat was Dan and Nelly. They put on 56 in no time to start the chase well for Oakley. Nelly was unfortunately run out for 25. Nigel then came to the crease and batted well with Dan until he was out LBW for 28. The 20’s become were becoming quite repetitive. Nick then came in and smashed it for a bit but was unlucky to get out playing on shortly after Nigel was bowled. At this point the game was still in the balance but we still had a lot of work to do.
Ian and George played well and and gave us hope as did Jack and Dave all getting out in the 20’s but in the end it was too much for the boys as we finished 256 all out. If just one of the 8 batsmen to get in the 20’s had gone on to make a bigger score, perhaps we could have won but it wasn’t our day.
We go again next week. Up the Oaks!