After some heavy early morning rain in Hampshire, Oakley were delighted that the Old Basing covers did their job, allowing the Oaks to coast to victory in the afternoon sunshine.
Clive finally proved that he is a capable tosser and it turned out to be a good one to win, with half the pitch bone dry and theother damp due to some pesky kids removing the covers from one end of the pitch Friday night.7
The Oaks opened up with Tommy Holbrook and James Bright who proved too good for the Old Basing openers who could only scrape to an opening stand of 20 by the the thirteenth over when Dan Sumner took a catch at point off the bowling of Bright.
Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals but Oakley just could not get the tenth wicket which would have put us on target for maximum points. The bowling figures make impressive reading with Tommy 10 overs 2 for 14, Jimmy 10 overs 1 for 20, Neil Robinson 10 overs 3 for 37, Clive 6 overs 1 for 18 and Dan Sumner 6 overs 1 for 20.
The Oaks had a Comfortable Afternoon at Old Basing
Chasing a meagre total that just nudged past the 100 mark, The Oaks went into bat with Adam Robinson and Julian Worthington both taking their time in the early overs as the bounce seemed to alter a slightly after the break for tea.
Worthington fell for 19 when trying to push the score along but by then Adam Robinson had his eye in and made short work getting to 61 before chasing a wide one and being caught behind.
Darrel Dimond came in carefully nudging singles as support for Mark Potter who belied his quiet and introverted nature with an aggressive quick- fire 24 to that saw the Oaks home in just over 19 overs.
It was another great performance by the boys and a patient one in the field as it would have been easy to switch off with the lack of action but they all stuck at it.
Next week is comes a sterner test with the visit of Basingstoke at Oakley Park and they will be looking to knock the Oaks off top top spot, however, with early season form and a long batting line-up, captain Clive Welsman, will be confident of maintaining a 100% start to the season.
Clive nominated Tommy Holbrook man of the match as recognition of a young man who gathered up his toys, put them back in his pram and got on with doing what he does best.
Thanks to Gordy for the umpiring duties.