Michael Wood’s Second XI tightened their grip at the top of the table with a well earned win against their nearest rivals, Bishops Waltham III, at a warm and muggy Oakley Park yesterday.
Bishop’s Waltham’s success this season has been built around their opener, who has plundered runs aplenty, and he soon showed his range of ability, putting away bad deliveries and playing some classy strokes off his legs.
However, at the other end wickets were tumbling with Rob Gerrard, Neil Warner and Perry King all in on the action. Eventually though, it was Alex Brundle who took the vital wicket and along with two run-outs, including a spectacular effort with a direct hit from Brad Compton-Bearne, Waltham were all-out for 144.
Chasing the target, Steve Savage and Michael Wood remained calm, putting on over 60, despite missing talisman, Bob Lethaby, as their potential rock in a crisis. When they departed, Dan Beckall (24) eased the score along with Rob Gerrard (20) who was having a bit of fun before having to depart early for a family function.
Team Spirit: The Two’s Bandwagon Keeps Rolling
This left it down to Alex Brundle who hit a 4 and consecutive 6’s to ease the Oaks home with plenty to spare in what could have easily been a more testing encounter.
This team continue to answer the questions they come up against and their unbeaten run going back to 2013, threatens to break club records that date back to when Steve Savage was sat in his nappies, counting all his future runs on an abacus he received as a gift on his first birthday.
There is still work to do, but another November night at the Rose Bowl and Oceania is within sight, with all the younger members of the club doing a practice run last night.
Up the Oaks!