A young Sunday side suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Crondall yesterday.
Batting first, Oakley lost the in form Dan Sumner and George Lethaby early before Bob Lethaby (17) supported Julian Worthington as he fell just short of his 50 when out on on 49.
After a brief cameo from Rav Kancharla, it was left to Gordon Scott (20 not out) and Peter Holcroft (10 not out) to nudge the score up to 137 from 40 overs.
Crondall went after the target with some gusto with their opener hitting a flurry of fours and sixes. George Lethaby and Julian Worthington then removed both openers and the run flow was checked in what was becoming a close encounter.
Worthington took a further 3 wickets along with one from Dan Sumner and but for a couple of dropped catches off the bowling of new boy Dan Jones (a 13 oyear old colts player) Oakley may have won it.
In the end Crondall eased home but this was an Oakley team featuring seven players who were seventeen and under, all of whom performed well.
Highlight of the day was Peter Holcroft running three and having to be picked up from the square by the car of Clive Welsman as the innings finished; I am pleased to report that Peter recovered in time for the cigarette required to bump start his lungs.
So a defeat on a cold and miserable afternoon, but plenty of positives from the emerging players and an exquisite innings by Bob Lethaby with his highest score of the season.
Up the Oaks!