The Sunday 11 eleven posted their first win of the season at a surprisingly sunny Oakley Park yesterday in what turned out to be a close and exciting encounter against a decent Waverley side who travelled down from Surrey.
Oakley battling towards victory on Sunday afternoon.
Waverley batted first and despite a few early scares, their openers put on a partnership of over 100 before being removed by George Lethaby and Tom Holbrook who both worked extremely hard along with Alex Brundle to stem the run flow. It is also worth noting the flying catch taken by Jack Brundle behind the stumps that still has the rest of the team reverberating in shock some 24 hours later.
Oakley stuck to their task with determined fielding and the Waverley total that at one point looked like 230/240 was restricted to 186. The fielders were also aided by some excellent spin bowling by Dan Sumner who took 3-33, showing a really determined response after taking a bit of a battering from the in form batsmen early in his spell.
The final total still looked quite a tough target but an opening partnership of 80 from Dan Sumner and Julian Worthington set Oakley on their way before Sumner was eventually bowled for 27. The irrepressible Jack Brundle then marched to the crease only to be PROMPTLY BOWLED LBW FOR A GOLDEN DUCK. This meant that we had the pleasure Jack’s company again after about thirty seconds of temporary respite from him calculating the required run rate after every ball. We love you really Jack.
Golden Duck: Jack Brundle
This allowed Tommy Holbrook to join Julian and push Oakley towards their target with some excellent batting that went from careful to destructive as the game suited. It really was great to watch and the 100 partnership duly arrived after Julian completed his century in style with a huge six.
With Tommy amassing an excellent 37 not out and Julian carrying his bat for an unbeaten 109, Oakley reached their target with 7 balls to spare. There was a point during this game when Oakley were looking like they would be on the end of a good hiding, but this is a team featuring a lot of very determined young players and is proof, if it were need, that if you stick to your task and hold your nerve, victory is always achievable.
Worthington: A Brilliant 109 not out
This week’s thank you messages go to Paul Sumner who enjoyed umpiring more in the sunshine than in last weeks rain, Michael and Lisa Worth for helping with the bar and general tidying up and Justine Morris for bailing me out and doing all the sandwiches at the 11th hour; a job she enjoyed so much she has spent the last 24 hours asking me when she can do it again.
Well done to all the others who contributed as well, there was good money coming in from the bar and the raffle tickets, so a good day for the club all round.
Cheers!
Bob Lethaby
Chairman