Demolition Derby as Oakley Win the Battle of the ‘O’s.
The First XI produced a stirring performance to blow away local rivals, Overton, at a sun drenched Oakley Park on Saturday.
Batting first, the Oaks did lose Nellie Warner early for 9, but club captain, Gerry Dique, was in no mood to lose his wicket as he put on a solid partnership with Dan Sumner, who was making a welcome return to form.
The scoring was steady against some good bowling from Overton and by the time Dan went for 42, it was time to up the pace. This resulted in the loss of Clive Welsman, Alan North and Michael Wood, who were all unselfishly looking to push the score beyond 200.
Gerry eventually went, just 2 short of an excellent ton but late cameos from Rob Wood and Brett King ,edged the Oaks to 210, a competitive but achievable target for Overton if they batted well.
The Oaks knew that they would have to control the Overton top order to win the game and they did so with astonishing control as the excellent Tom Barnes and Clive Welsman collected maidens for fun.
When Clive caught and Bowled Overton danger-man, Sam Miller, for 10, the Oaks took control of the game and this allowed Dave Pistorious to come to the party and rips the guts out of the Overton batting line up.
Dave’s figures of 4 for 6 off 7 Overs was extraordinary but it should also take nothing away from the other bowlers, with Alex and Clive taking two apiece and Rob Wood, who has survived a two week cruise in Iceland, picking up one late on.
Captain, Gerry Dique, was delighted with an almost flawless performance in the field but emphasised the need to celebrate and move on quickly to the next challenge.
Credit also to Overton, who would have been hurt by this loss but still hung around the club for a few beers after; they are a good bunch of lads, even the irrepressible Andy Galvin, who can’t resist a cheeky dig which he always regrets later.
4 from 4 from The Oaks and up to third but plenty of fresh challenges lie ahead.
Brundle Stars as Depleted Seconds See Off Rotherwick
A depleted Oaks second string saw off the challenge of Rotherwick in a thrilling contest on a beautiful early summer afternoon.
The Oaks batted first and were soon subject to some testing bowling on a pitch offering plenty for the bowlers, resulting in the early departure of Ollie Rabley for 8.
Jack Brundle came in with Steve Savage knowing a partnership was vital with George Lethaby the only recognised batsman remaining, followed by a long tail.
Steve eventually went for an excellent, exhausting, and gutsy 36, leaving it to George Lethaby to build an excellent 60 partnership with Jack that featured both players running superbly between the wickets as Rotherwick wilted.
Jack passed 50 (an excellent innings) but when George departed on 34 and Jack (64) followed soon after, the innings stalled with wickets falling as players chased much needed runs.
Ian Bennett (18) and Bob Lethaby, who was batting like an octopus falling from a tree, both finished unbeaten as the Oaks got to 174, probably about par or perhaps just below.
Could they defend it?
Well, it didn’t start great, with George and Ollie giving the batsmen a ball or two an over to hit before they both steadied and Ollie got a wicket via a catch in the slips from George.
Ollie then started to find his line beautifully, picking up vital maidens as The Oaks worked hard to get the scoreboard back under control. However, at this point, with wickets in hand, Rotherwick were still the favourites.
Games turn on big moments and when Dave Fuller smashed the stumps with an excellent direct hit the momentum started going with The Oaks. This was emphasised by some amazing bowling by Rav Kancharla who, at one point, went 17 balls without conceding a run and picked up two wickets as the pressure intensified.
The game really turned when Rotherwick danger man, Josh Terry, was caught by Ollie Rabley off the bowling of Ian Bennett and despite a few lusty blows, Ian and Dave Fuller polished off the tail resulting in a victory by 25 runs in a roller coaster of a game.
It is hard to pick out individuals in a match where everyone contributed but special mentions must go to Dave Fuller, who made himself available at short notice, and colts players, Will Rabley and Noah Collis, who fielded superbly, chased everything, and got right behind the push for victory. Top marks lads.
So a fantastic win in the circumstances and a great day for Jack, who has come back from travelling, got his head down and battled his way back into the team. This was an excellent match winning innings his hard work deserved.
Oaks Oust Rivals Dummer in Exciting Friendly
Oakley won a competitive but good spirited fixture at the beautiful new home of local rivals, Dummer, yesterday.
After some pre-match drama featuring The Oaks’ club dog, Marley, taking a fancy to a pretty little Yorkshire Terrier, the game got under way and Dummer batted first.
A few early wickets fell but Mark ‘Quiet’ Barden remained stoical and was soon backed up by Simon Pennington, who entered the fray in his obligatory mud plastered pads and camouflage hat. To say Simon looked like a cat dragged through a hedge backwards would be doing a disservice to the cat.
Still, Simon can certainly bat and his belligerent 27 was well backed up by the turgid Barden, who was blissfully unaware that Bob Lethaby would soon be giving him a turgid masterclass.
After a few lusty blows from the Brown’s, Aaron and Graham, Dummer completed their innings on 143, with Bardy finishing unbeaten on 45, an innings that would have Chris Tavare salivating in admiration but no one else.
Could Dummer defend their score?
Not if Mike Tiley had his way, they couldn’t. Mike bludgeoned his way to 27 before being bowled by James Dodd, who had bravely just come off the psychologists couch after being bowled by Bob Lethaby for the second time in 3 days; a traumatic experience where time will be the healer.
After James Bayliss departed for two, it was time for Bob to come to the crease to woo a bumper crowd with an incalculable array of defensive prods. Fortunately, he was joined by Tom Barnes, who slapped his way to 20 in an aggressive cameo.
However, after Tom went and Ian departed after discovering he wasn’t quick between the wickets as Bob, it was game on for Dummer.
Alex Brundle hit a couple of lusty blows but was spectacularly caught by Steve Heath, who will have a sore hand this morning for his trouble. It was genuinely one of those moments where everyone gasped and Steve’s hand throbbed like it had been in a mouse trap scene on Tom & Jerry.
Bob Lethaby had also departed for a hideously ugly 10 after being told by his own son to play some ****ing shots. However, when Bob is forced to do anything other than defend, a wicket is never far away, with thin air being the only victim of his pirouetting hay-makers.
At this point, one more wicket would have put Dummer in the driving seat with more than six an Over required. However, George Lethaby (17) and Dan Sumner (14) put on a steady 30 run partnership to see The Oaks home to victory with an Over to spare.
The Oaks deserved the win but Dummer pushed them all the way in what was an evenly matched affair played in a tremendous spirit by both sides.
So, with a Yorkshire Terrier signed up to the #MeToo campaign and a Dummer chair snapped clean in half by the not insignificant arse of Mike Tiley, the players and supporters of both sides retired to The Queen public house for a few beers and reflection on what was an excellent afternoon of village cricket.
Thanks to the Dummer players, tea ladies and the umpires, one of whom had to explain to Ian that if the ball doesn’t land on the pitch, it is what is known in cricket as a ‘Wide Ball’.
One of the best weekends for Oakley in recent years, featuring perfect weather and great results but on we must travel to adventures new.
Let the wagon roll on.
