The First and Second XI completed yet another double this weekend, with the first’s in particular, in scintillating form.
Perfect Six Puts Oaks in the Mix!
The First XI put on an superb display against Compton & Chandlers Ford at a gloomy Oakley Park yesterday, making it six wins on the spin as they climbed up to second place in County 4.
Batting first, the Oaks started smoothly, with openers Gerry Dique and Dan Sumner both looking in good nick during a confident 50 partnership.
However, as the 100 partnership approached, Compton hauled themselves right back into the game with a flurry of wickets, with both Gerry Dique (49) and Dan Sumner (37) incandescent with themselves for playing poor shots when well set.
With Clive Welsman, Alex Brundle, Brad Compton-Bearne and Mark Potter back in the hutch in reasonably inexplicable circumstances, it all looked a bit edgy. Such was their frustration, Clive walked off threatening to take up golf whilst Brad smacked his forehead with the bat and made some loud banging noises in the home changing room.
Out of nowhere, The Oaks were suddenly looking for players to build a decent target.
Fortunately, Alan (Alan) North and James Bayliss were in the mood for runs, with Alan playing sensibly in between some big shots and James executing some graceful strokes, holding his finishing stance like an accomplished ballerina starring in ‘Swan Lake’.
Both Alan (31) and James (28) got out whilst swinging late on but by then they had got Oakley back on the front foot. When, aided by Rob Wood, Ronnie McEwan smacked 12 off 4, the Oaks looked buoyant with a total of 189 whilst Compton appeared slightly forlorn.
They had reason to when after tea, Oakley, egged on by opponents favourite, Mark Potter, put on a bowling and fielding display that dreams are made of. The pace of Tom Barnes and the variable slow stuff of Clive Welsman, caused absolute carnage in the Compton top order.
Clive and Tom took three wickets apiece, effectively ending the contest and if Compton thought they were going to get any respite, they were wrong, because on came proverbial brick shithouse, Ronnie McEwan, and spinner, Rob Wood, to take two wickets apiece and end the match in style.
A beleaguered looking Compton had been polished off for 45 and the Oaks retired to the bar as genuine promotion contenders.
That’ll Stu Nicely as Two’s Stay Top!
The Second XI held on to top spot in RNE1 after another action packed victory where the jaws of victory and defeat were in abundance at lowly Petersfield II’s.
Petersfield batted first and the Oaks got off to a flyer with a wicket off the first ball of the match courtesy of Jeff King (the slim one).
Jeff took another along with the smiling assassin Will Montgomery, but at 72-3, it looked like Oakley were in a very tight contest.
On came Stuart Spalding and Rav Kancharla and within a blink of an eye, the Petersfield innings had ended in a manner that every village club think that only they are capable of.
From 72-3 Petersfield were all out for 85 with Stuart taking 4 for 3 off 5 and Rav 3 for 15 off 7.4, Rav’s three wickets all being quack quacks.
A special mention must also go to Brett King (son of the big one) who took three catches.
So with the job done, all that the Oaks had to do was take their time and calmly knock the runs off and coast along to victory.
They didn’t of course, and three wickets in an over (Steve Savage, Jack Brundle and George Lethaby) left the Oaks reeling on 9-3 with a bewildered looking Stuart Spalding and Mike Tiley at the crease.
Despite a few nervy moments, Stuart and Mike stayed firm until Mike was bowled for 22, leaving the Oaks still in a slightly precarious position at 47-4.
However, Stuart was going nowhere and a valuable 10 runs from last weeks hero, Nathan Rabley, took the Oaks up to 59-5 as the tension heightened.
Stuart was still coolness personified though, and along with Will Montgomery, his unbeaten 27 guided the Oaks to victory, with Will hitting a four to seal the match and keep The Oaks top of the pile.
So, another chaotic and exciting game for the Second XI, who are very much enjoying life in the highest league they have ever played in. For any neutral watching, Oakley are entertaining if nothing else.
It was a long drive home but at least this gave captain, George Lethaby, the time to hack into a certain player’s Expedia account and frantically undertake some flight cancellations.
Well done everyone, it is now time to draw breath, repair the wagons, and get them rolling again next week.
Up the Oaks!!