The First XI enjoyed a consecutive victories for the first time this season with a well fought and ultimately deserved win at a muggy Winterslow yesterday.
Bowling first, George Lethaby, with an eclectic combination of luck and good deliveries, got the Oaks off to an absolute flier with two wickets in his first over, the first courtesy of a hideous shot from a short and wide one that should have either been ignored, or pumped into the middle of Burt Bacarach’s live set at Glastonbury. Instead, it was chipped into the gleeful hands of Dan Sumner.
However, this lulled the Oaks into a false sense of security and a combination of lacklustre bowling and poor ground fielding let Winterslow back in the game despite wickets for Clive Welsman and Steve Bown as the Oaks attempted to peg things back.
Two in Row: The Oaks in action at Winterslow
Sensing danger, Oakley did start to reverse the tide of runs, tightening up in the field and with the ball as Gerry Dique along with Dan Sumner wrested back control, taking 3 apiece as Winterslow were restricted to a total of 155.
Chasing the target, Dan Sumner went for 6 but Gerry Dique looked in great nick moving along nicely with Chris Morris before eventually going for 59. However, Chris, Steve Bown and Tommy Holbrook all made 20+ as the Oaks coasted to an important and morale boosting victory to further ease any relegation fears.
There were shaky moments in the game but this group of players are beginning to find their way and there is no reason why they can’t have a strong second half to the season.
Up the Oaks!