The Oaks First XI continued their roller coaster season on Saturday with an impressive and emphatic win over mid-table rivals, Wherwell.
Batting first the Oaks got off to a bad start losing Dan Sumner early on but Michael Wood joined Gerry Dique to compile his first 50 of the summer as Gerry went on to do the same.
Nellie Warner came in at number four and completely took the Wherwell attack apart with by far his best innings of the summer, ably assisted by Kalum Sappumannage who was rotating the strike superbly at the other end.
Nellie finished on an excellent unbeaten 59 meaning that with three half-centuries on the board, for once, the Oaks hadn’t left their hopes sitting on the shoulders of Gerry with the innings finishing on 219.
Two Clive Welsman wickets in the first over of the Wherwell innings set the tone for the match and from there on, chances stuck and wickets fell regularly as Clive took 4-14 and Alex Brundle mopped up the middle and tail with 4-25.
Welsman clinic: Clive took 4-14
Jimmy Bright and the irrepressible Mark Potter also took a wicket apiece during an outstanding afternoon in the field that had a degree of symmetry, featuring five catches and five clean bowled.
An enjoyable day rounded off by Gerry’s BBQ which was supported so well there was no food left for the returning Second XI.
Can the boys get two successive wins next week?
Up the Oaks!