Michael Wood’s undefeated second team showed remarkable resilience and team spirit to achieve a superb victory against Holyborne II’s on Saturday.
Batting first, Oakley look unsettled from the off and lost Steve Savage and Dan Beckall in quick succession, whilst at the other end, Michael Wood was receiving more lives than a cat as he scrambled through the early overs.
Woody eventually went for 35 leaving Brad Compton-Bearne to come in and blast a quick-fire 23 with Bob Lethaby and Alex Brundle, temporarily steadying the ship as the Oaks scrapped their way to a paltry 130.
Michael Wood and Alex Brundle top scored in a meagre total
Defending the total George Lethaby and Alex Brundle fought hard to get the Oaks back in the game and a spectacular caught and bowled from George two balls after a disastrously mis-timed catch by his Dad, was the catalyst to restoring belief throughout the side.
At 75-2, Holborne were still red hot favourites but despite a couple of catches going down, the Oaks kept going and wickets for Alex Brundle (4), Michael Wood (2) Tom Barnes (1) and Brad Compton-Bearne, to add to George’s two, assured a dramatic climax and a win by 16 runs that will live long in the memory of a team where every player contributed.
Up the Oaks!