Steve Bown claimed the plaudits in a great all-round team performance as Oakley brushed aside recent poor form and a miserable weather forecast with a fine win against third placed Bishop’s Waltham.
With Gerry Dique missing, the Oaks opened with Scott Bright and Dan Sumner, with Scott racing to 28 before getting out. This left the returning Paddy Saines to come in and build a fine partnership with Dan Sumner.
Dan eventually departed on 48 and Paddy went shortly after, trying to push on after making an excellent 50. The gamble of putting in big hitting Brad Compton-Bearne didn’t come off but this did allow Chris Morris to return to form with a well constructed 36.
Steve Bown then hit a quick-fire 20 to aid the score along to a respectable total of 208 and give something for the bowlers to defend.
The Oaks put on a fine performance at a cloudy and muggy Oakley Park
The Oaks opened with Tom Holbrook and Jimmy Bright who kept the pressure on and the reward came courtesy of a sensational slip catch by Steve Bown (off the bowling of Tommy Holbrook) that was gushingly described by umpire, Paul Sumner, as the best catch he had witnessed in amateur cricket.
Waltham did start getting back on target with a decent second wicket partnership but wickets from George Lethaby and Dan Sumner pegged them back and created the scene for what was soon to become the ‘Steve Bown Show.’
With great back-up at the other end from Jimmy Bright, Bownie tore into Bishops Waltham and his five wicket haul was no less than he deserved on what was a day he will remember for some time.
All in all, it was also a great team performance that was typified by sound catching and a fantastic run-out between Brad Compton-Bearne and Paddy Saines.
Up the Oaks!!!