Oakley entertained Wherwell on Saturday in a game dubbed by the chairman as one that could well be decided by ‘the barest of margins’. Would his prediction come to to fruition?
You’re about to find out.
Oaks Bat First
The Oaks batted first, with a confident looking Matt Burrell and Dan Jones looking like they meant business. DJ, rode his luck a little but was hitting some great strokes. However, the solid start was checked when Matt was well caught at short cover and a slightly rusty looking Michael Wood went shortly after.
Josh Carpenter came to the crease looking a little cautious but he soon found form and started opening up. He and DJ went on to put on a partnership of a hundred with some cracking shot making. It’s easy to forget that DJ is still only 22 and Josh 17. They batted liked veterans in a 100 partnership, with the only disappointment being DJ departing 11 short of a deserved ton.
With the score on 185, it was perfectly set for the middle order. They didn’t disappoint, with James Bayliss, 21 (SR 175) Charlie Ead, 29 (SR 263) and Graeme Ridler, 20 (SR 200) whacking it to all parts (including car doors) as Josh kept going to post an excellent 78.
Formidable Target for Wherwell
So, a formidable total of 285 for Wherwell to chase.
Were Wherwell tired, defeated and deflated? No, is the simple answer. The Oaks were ecstatic after Stef Kaltner removed the dangerous openers, Dawes and Cooke and when big hitting Robbie Skeates, who was smacking the ball to all parts, went for 45 (bowled Harry caught Josh) Wherwell appeared out of it at 106-3; especially now James Bayliss had taken himself off.
However, Wherwell seem to have adopted a Bazball approach and boldly carried on looking for a win many clubs would have written off. With a patient Ellis playing a vital supporting role to a rampant Dan Holewell, the pendulum swung once again. Holewell was pumping the ball all over the theatre of scenes. It appeared the only person who could get him out was himself.
The Swing Pendulum
At 217-3 and 15 with overs remaining, Wherwell seemed to be cruising to victory. Over at Bentworth, the chairman was informing the second XI (celebrating victory in the changing room) that there was to be no double win, as Wherwell only needed 4 an over with 7 wickets in hand.
By the time he got to back to his car it was 241-6 and the runs were drying up. It was a race for the two’s to get back to the club, especially as key man, Holewell had holed out, looking to hit his ton in style. Dan Jones grabbed the wicket, with Graeme Ridler snaffling the catch. The other wickets went to Chalie Ead and Mike Tiley.
With wickets falling and runs drying up, the pendulum was back with Oakley. Yet, Wherwell still weren’t done as Young and Trebert tried to pull it back. However, Graeme and Tiley are experienced cricketers and credit to them for seeing it through. Tiley’s final over going for 4, when Wherwell need 11 to win, was exceptional, and saw The Oaks home to a rousing victory.
What a Climax
What a game. Not many teams would fancy chasing 285 at Oakley Park but Wherwell weren’t at all daunted. They have powerful and bustling batting line-up that will batter many a team this summer. It will have been a sore and disappointing loss but they still hung around for a beer and a chat, and can console themselves with 10 losing points. They will be right in the promotion mix come August. A good club, decent lads.
As for The Oaks, well, what a test of character. The pre-season chat about keeping believing to the end, was evident. Youngsters, Harry Tucknott and Josh Carpenter will have learned so much about staying in games. The other players can also draw confidence from beating a very strong side in a game that the quite wonderful chairman predicted would be won by ‘the barest of margins’.
What a game…what a game! Cricket boring? Do me a Rod Laver.
On we go…