So, we are into August already and therefore the last few weeks of the 2022 season. Already we can regard it as a success, once again getting 3 teams out every week whilst some clubs, sadly, are finding it hard going. How much of a success depends, I guess, on how we finish?
With a bit of head work on the abacus, it is still possible the ones can get promoted. This, after a rousing victory at Ramsdell last week when they recovered from 8-3 and collected maximum points to propel them up to fourth. 3rd placed Petersfield are the visitors in what could turn out to be a pulsating and pivotal clash.
A good time then for the return of Mick Woodstock, Stef Kaltner, Neil Robinson, Brad Compton-Bearne and Skipper, AB De Brundle, as The Oaks look to put on a good showing. Out go George (back to the 2’s) Bayliss, Bowers, Harry and Nigel (holidays). Petersfield have a classy batting line up including the league’s leading run scorer, so Stef, Neil, Josh, Brad, and the backup bowlers will need to be bang on form.
With the bat in hand, The Oaks will be hoping Josh and Woody can maintain their good seasons whilst others chip in. There is plenty of batting right through the team but as the Second XI recently discovered, it is no good admiring a batting line up on paper. We need to go out and do it on the pitch.
The boys need to leave everything out there and if that is not good enough then so be it. No regrets. If both teams play to their potential, it promises to be a belter on another scorching afternoon at Oakley Park.
The Two’s are still set for a strong finish after an excellent showing versus high-flying Sherborne last week. They take the trip to basement side Crown Taverners, with a different side and there is little doubt Nellie Warner, Ben Robinson, Herbie Hamilton and Matt Burrell will be missed.
However, Jack does welcome back the two George’s, Rutt and Lethaby, as well as all-rounder Jeff Triner in a team featuring no fewer than 3 father/son combinations, so he shouldn’t be too downbeat. Paddy Saines is also back again, an unbeaten 68 last week after a 3-year absence, proving an ideal tonic to reinvigorate an unhealthy addiction to cricket.
Dan Beckell has also been getting steadily back in the runs after a great start to the season descended into what cricket does best. When all is well, without rhyme, nor reason, it hoofs you in the unmentionables with a steel toe capped boot. It was good to see Dan enjoying cricket again last week.
Bowling looks a little light, meaning Jack will be somewhat reliant on Jeff and George to bowl straight and full, Back up comes from Noah Beckell, Bob Lethaby, Ollie Rabley and a few other part-time arm turners. There should be enough there but not much wiggle room for someone out of sorts, so that should focus us.
The last time we went out to face a lowly placed team, we got a collective and deserved custard pie in the face at Bentworth. The Oaks need to go out and prove to themselves it was an embarrassing lesson learnt and repeat the performance of last Saturday. Do that and we can finish in or around the top six and build for a promotion challenge next year.
The Third XI go out tomorrow with a team packed to the rafters with colts facing high flying Old Basing 4’s. There are Oaks debuts for Billy Banks, Olly Thakur, and Tom Woodward. Other colts or former colts include Sav Sapumanage, Ryan Parry and Adam Triner, along with Hampshire junior, Lucy Noble.
The senior members are James Middleton, Lee Noble, Steve Savage, and Phil Carpenter, with Phil and Steve running the show in the absence of Kris. Phil will be picking the team due to his knowledge of the colts’ players.
Any colts or colts parents reading this, please let it be known that whilst winning is wonderful, this team is about transferring colts into adult cricket. All that we ask of them is that they do their best and come away having enjoyed themselves. A big well done to the coaches for getting them this far.
So, another sunny Saturday in the long hot summer of 2022 beckons. Let’s go out, bat with flair, bowl with guile and field like terriers. Then, if that turns out to not be good enough, it leaves one option.
Have a beer.
