Diabolical conditions at Farleigh on Sunday didn’t stop the game going ahead and remarkably, despite the rain and wind, the match got completed, unfortunately with the Oaks as losers.
Farleigh batted first with Oakley captain and batsmen, Clive Welsman, playing the role of traitor by opening the bat for the opposition, scoring a half century before being trapped LBW by George Lethaby.
Farleigh’s number three then plundered a brilliant century to put them well in command, finally holing out to a majestic long hop from Bob Lethaby.
Huge credit must go Colts player, Brad Welsman, who took two fantastic catches in his first full game behind the stumps
Oakley and Farleigh in Action on Sunday Afternoon
Farleigh amassed 250 with the only Oakley wickets coming from Bob & George Lethaby (2 apiece) Tom Holbrook and a Bob Lethaby run-out with a direct shy at the stumps; a moment that surprised everyone, including himself. Huge credit must also go Colts player, Brad Welsman, who took two fantastic catches in his first full game behind the stumps off of the bowling of Holbrook and Lethaby Junior.
Batting second Oakley were never going to reach the target on a worsening pitch and despite a battling 33 from Dan Sumner and 22 from Jack Brundle all the other batsmen succumbed to the cold and wet conditions.
Credit must go to Farleigh groundsman, Darrell Diamond, for getting the game played in such atrocious conditions, it was probably the only completed game in Hampshire last weekend.