A brilliant century from Cliddesden’s finest, the irrepressible Simon Pennington, put a hungover Oakley Sunday 11 to the sword at a picturesque Farleigh House yesterday.
Fielding a side that featured a record breaking number of hangovers courtesy of the previous night’s promotion celebrations, the Oaks didn’t waste time collapsing to 42 for 7 with only the classy looking Bob Lethaby (10) and Matt Vickers (17) reaching double figures.
Julian Worthington somehow managed to pull himself together (after spending the early hours vomiting down the side of his mother’s car) and put on a hundred partnership with new boy Brad Compton Bearne, who hit some clumping blows whilst reaching an excellent maiden Oakley 50.
George Lethaby came in late on and hit a few fours that helped the Oaks reach a reasonable target of 171 to at least make a game of it, but after the Dummer opener went for a golden duck off the the first ball of the innings, Simon took over with an knock of class, belligerence and aggression (That’ll be £100 please Simon).
Hangover Cure: A Lovely Afternoon at Farleigh House
It could have been different if MATT VICKERS had run him out when on just 8, but he inexplicably missed the stumps and Pennington rarely (well supported by the other Dummer opener) looked in trouble thereafter.
Only one more wicket went down but this only allowed the Dummer number 4, Andrew “Mr Cricket” Ferguson, to come in and bat as always, cutting a dash with a vast array of cuts, drives and pulls that had Simon wiping away tears of glowing admiration at the non strikers end.
In a fitting finale, Simon hit a six to win the game and complete his century at the same time, a century that wouldn’t have happened had MATT VICKERS not missed the stumps with a simple run-out. However, it has to be said, it was a great knock, despite MATT VICKERS missing an easy run-out when Simon was on eight.
However, there is no point dwelling on a missed run-out by MATT VICKERS as when you score a century (how would I know?) you always have to ride your luck at least once, and Simon did so, taking advantage of a missed run out by MATT VICKERS.
As usual, the game was played in a good spirit by the two sides, with Farleigh House being a great place to enjoy a game in the sunshine before the autumn starts creeping up on us.
A ‘hair of the dog’ beer was just what was required after the game where Dummer were worthy winners, courtesy of MATT VICKERS missing an easy run-out that I wont mention.
(Throw) Up the Oaks!!