As predicted, the weather gods sent us another scorcher of a Saturday on week 14 of the Hampshire League cricket season, with both teams delivering resounding performances in games that could easily have gone either way.
Bomber Barnes Rips Twyford Apart
The First XI travelled to high flying Twyford on a scorcher of a Saturday, knowing that a win would take them to the verge of promotion to County 3.
Batting first, The Oaks got off to a solid start before losing captain, Gerry Dique for 13. At 60-1 all looked well, with Nellie Warner (33) in particularly gutsy form. However, The Oaks needed to keep going as they were missing talisman, Michael Wood, who had gone on the first stag weekend in history to feature carp fishing.
Wood You believe it? Michael Wood went fishing for carp instead of outside off stump
However, on a tough track, it became obvious that any runs were a bonus and The Oaks were very grateful for the numerous extras Twyford offered them as they pushed hard for wickets.
As the wickets tumbled, the boys were grateful for any runs that came off the bat down the order, with 19 from Clive Welsman and 16 from Will Bentley proving very valuable.
Tom Barnes and Dave Pistorious dragged the score up to a total of 166 that looked precarious but also defendable on pitch that was offering plenty as it broke up in the heat.
In a bid to gain some advantage, Twyford rolled the pitch at the interval but in many ways that gave The Oaks a psychological advantage as they prepared to bowl. Rolling the pitch was pointless anyway as there was no moisture in it.
What The Oaks desperately needed was Tom Barnes on fire early on to seize the initiative and boy oh boy, did the lad deliver. In a devastating spell of opening bowling, Tom ripped the guts out of Twyford, proving that he is becoming one of the best pace bowlers The Oaks have had in recent memory.
With carnage unleashed and 4 wickets in the bag for Tom, it was left to the excellent Dave Pistorious (3-12) and Dan Sumner (3-14) to polish off Twyford who were left reeling at 60 all out. A total demolition job.
This team have hit peak form at just the right time, steam rolling their way to victory against strong opposition and reaching new heights every week. It was a marvellous team performance but the day belonged to 19 year old Tom Barnes, who took the game by the scruff of the neck from ball one, and obliterated the opposition.
Wonderful stuff.
Middle Order Put Wintney Bown and Out!
An inspiring middle order fightback was the key to an excellent showing from The Two’s on yet another roasting hot Saturday at Oakley Park.
After losing Brett King, Steve Savage and Jack Brundle to some good early bowling, The Oaks were reeling at 22-3 and were desperately seeking some inspiration to try to get the inning back on track.
Ian Bennett got things moving with a lusty 18 but at 50-4 it was Steve Bown and George Lethaby who swung the pendulum back towards The Oaks with a blistering 70 run partnership that deflated the opposition attack.
It was great stuff to watch and when George (39) and Bownie (52) finally departed, The Oaks were in the box seat on a tricky batting track.
Further cameos from Dan Jones (18) and the quite brilliant Bob Lethaby (10 not out) took The Oaks past the 175 mark with Dean James also in dashing form during a cultured unbeaten 2, his highest Saturday score for Oakley.
After a traditionally shaky start with the ball (a no ball four on ball one) The Oaks galvanised themselves, with Jeff King in particular, bowling his best stuff for a while.
Bownie was also bowling well and deserved more than the one wicket he did pick up but it mattered little as Jeff was busily picking up a five for at the other end.
With the genuine cricketers back in the hutch, Hartley were all but beaten, with just friends and volunteers making up the bottom half their batting line up. This allowed the excellent Rav Kancharla to mop up the tail and complete a resounding 100 run victory.
This was a solid team performance and with a second win on the spin, Oakley suddenly find themselves back up to 4th spot in RNE1 and in with a fighting chance of a run at the promotion spots.
Remarkable stuff from both sides this weekend.
Up The Oaks!