Firsts Win as Whitchurch Say Goodbye
The First XI finished the season with a comfortable victory over beleaguered Whitchurch who with great sadness, said goodbye to Parsonage Meadow and local cricket in the town.
The Oaks batted first and a strong opening inning partnership between Dan Sumner, who top scored with 63, and Gerry Dique, put Oaks in command on a difficult track and a slow outfield, where fours became ones courtesy of a broken mower.
Top Gun: Dan top scored with 63
From thereon, several minor contributions came from a long batting line up, allowing the Oaks to post 177, a formidable total on a low scoring pitch.
And so it turned out, with the Oaks rattling through Whitchurch who were dismissed for a paltry 65, with Tom Barnes the pick of the bunch taking 4 wickets to finish the season in style.
Further wickets went to Jimmy Bright, Nellie Warner, with Dan Sumner completing a fine individual performanc with 3.
Captain, Gerry Dique, thanked his players for all their efforts from a season where 6th place was a credible finishing position. But for a slightly shaky start to the campaign, the Oaks could and perhaps shoul, have been in the promotion mix up.
The boys hung around for a drink after in what was a poignant day for local cricket where another good and long established club disappeared by all accounts because of greed.
Instead of turning water into wine, modern Christianity turns cricket pitches into housing developments.
Sad times.
Maximum Points Propel Seconds to Promotion!
An excellent second team performance sent Oakley up to RNE Division One on a cool and very windy afternoon at Oakley Park.
The Oaks batted first and despite no one registering a big score, contributions all through the batting line-up ensured maximum points from a total of 204.
Pick of the batsmen were Steve Savage (26) Alex Brundle (37) and Mike Askem who finished unbeaten on 37.
The Compton response was stoical and despite an early wicket for Mike Askem, at 70-1 they were right in the hunt to end a remarkable winning run for the Oaks.
However, after seeing off the openers, Compton didn’t reckon on what was to follow as Kalum Sappumanage (3) and Alex Brundle ripped the heart out of their attack.
Further wickets for Mike Tiley and Mike Askem saw Compton collapse to 116, resulting in a 24 point haul that puts the pressure right on St Mary’s going into the last game of the season next Saturday.
If the Oaks hadn’t suffered a draconian pre-season penalty, they would now be champions elect, however, they will now be relying on a favour from Hook who face St Mary’s next Saturday with a third place finish as an incentive.
Whatever happens, it has been a remarkable achievement to get promoted considering the Oaks only stayed up on the last day of last season with, somewhat ironically, a victory over St Mary’s.
The Seconds will start next season in the highest league in their history.
Up the Oaks!