Report by Brad Compton-Bearne
It was a lovely summers day at the picturesque Crown Taverners CC where the crowds were packed to the rafters to witness this gargantuan clash between two titans, Oakley and Crown Taverners. It was that packed it was like the 1950 World Cup final at the Maracana where 200,000 fans were in attendance to watch Brazil lose to Uruguay.
I’m actually kidding, there was no crowd in attendance apart from probably around 20 people spending a leisurely Saturday afternoon having a beer in the local pub on site. The crowd weren’t wild or raucous and the only time they showed an interest in the game was when a stray six cleared the netting and almost ended up ruining some pub goers meal by ending up in their plate of fish and chips. Thankfully it avoided all the tables and no one ended up in A & E or with a cricket ball in their burger.
Oakley turned up ready to go and captain James Bayliss won the toss and decided it was a good day to have a bat. Matt Burrell and Dan Jones went out with the intention of seeing off the new ball to set up the game for the destructive middle order in the team. Unfortunately for DJ he got a decent ball which took the top of off stump and he had to walk back to the pavilion. Next in was Will Cheyney who again went cheaply playing early on a shot and chipping it to cover. The Oakley players could now see the pitch wasn’t going to come through as quickly as we first thought.
With the score at 25-2 and trouble potentially ensuing, in came Josh Carpenter. With the help of Matt playing a sensible and patient innings at the other end, Josh was going well and got to his 50 playing some lovely shots. A 50 for Matt soon followed and both the two were looking comfortable at the crease taking quick singles and dispatching the bad balsl to the ropes, demoralising the Crown Tavernes fielders. With Josh nearing a century he was unfortunately caught on the boundary for a well fought 83 and a 134 run partnership overall with Matt, which put Oakley in a good position to kick on.
Ian Bennett was next in with the intention of hitting some quick boundaries which he did before he was bowled trying to hit the ball to Farnborough for a quick fire 18. Next in with the score at 188-4 was Brad Compton-Bearne, who had the same role as Ian before him. Brad hit some lusty blows and quickly reached 50. Although Brad was seen as the agressor between him and Matt, Matt still was not to be underestimated and promptly came down to the spinner and smacked him for a lovely six which nearly cleared the trees. Not bad for someone who ‘injured’ their shoulder.
Matt was looking content at the crease and the century was edging closer and closer. Unfortunately he hit a wide one straight to cover and departed for 88; a fine knock all round. James Bayliss next came in with the score 277-5 giving him some freedom to play some shots towards the end of the innings. At the other end Brad was still going, hitting boundaries and going into the last over he was on 89 needing 11 more for the century.
Could it be that Brad was to run out of balls and miss out on three figures? Thankfully not as two fours followed and then a six to bring up a century off 39 balls. Then Brad decided to be a bit cocky and was ultimately humbled being bowled the next ball trying to reverse sweep it. Carnage all round. Oakley finished on 346-6, a new 1st team record high score. Somehow Josh Carpenter’s 83 was the 3rd highest score of the innings which also must be some sort or record. No no one expected Josh would be the 3rd highest scorer when he departed on 83 earlier on!
With runs on the board Oakley still knew there was a job to do and that the Crown Taverners batsmen would come out playing shots. Harry Tucknott and Josh Carpenter were given the task with the new ball. The two Crown Tavs openers were hitting some nice shots and were starting to accelerate until Harry bowled a great delivery to bowl one of the openers who was starting to look dangerous. A good time to take a wicket. The Crown Tavs batters still had to keep accelerating but another wicket soon followed with Josh bowling the other opener.
After Josh and Harry finished their opening spells, George Lethaby and Alex Brundle were given the ball. Both bowled economically and although only one wicket fell whilst both were bowling (to Alex), the economy rate both of them went at meant the game was pretty much out of reach for Crown Tavs halfway through. With the target almost beyond reach, Harry Tucknott was brought back on and was rewarded taking another wicket to end his spell with 2 wickets, a valiant spell allround.
Captain Bayliss sensed this could be a pitch for the spinners and with max points in mind both Will Cheyney and DJ were given the task to take these final wickets and do that they did! DJ bowled well to end on 4 wickets and Will ended up taking 2 wickets which meant Crown Tavs ended on 230 all out. It was a good effort from the Crown Tavs batters and they put up a good fight.
Overall Oakley can be pleased with the result and performances of everyone and take this form going into the next games to try and maintain that 1st position.