When you play cricket, every now and then comes along an occasion to relish, admire and applaud.
On this particular day, it could have been Bob Lethaby’s stunning 2 for 8 as he tore through the tail of Waverley CC when they required just 70 off 2 Overs, but even that fantastic achievement was eclipsed by his former pupil, Dan Sumner.
Dan faced the first and last balls of a 40 over match and ended with an innings of 137 not-out that was almost faultless, with early patience turning into shot making and then outright aggression in what was a fabulous knock.
Of course, a great knock needs partners and after a middle-order collapse featuring yet another vintage Bob ‘through the gate’ Lethaby dismissal, Dan was grateful for the valuable support of Alex Brundle (26) Nathan Rabley (18) and Tom Barnes (19 not out) as the Oaks amassed 214.
Chasing the target, Waverley never really got going despite some resilient stuff from their opener, who made 57 before falling to the raw pace of Bob Lethaby, steaming in from the Trenchard Lane End like a man running through quicksand in hobnail boots with a piano strapped to his back.
Other wickets came for 14 year-old debutant Matt Jones, his brother Dan, Brad Compton Bearne and Tom Barnes, as Waverley fell well short of the target.
However, all the plaudits go to Dan Sumner who played wonderfully in one of the classiest innings that Oakley Park has witnessed in recent years.
Well done Dan and well done Brad, who experienced his first Sunday win as Oakley skipper.
Up the Oaks!
