The seconds maintained their 100% start to season after a relatively comfortable victory at a warm and sunny Ashford Hill yesterday afternoon.
Batting first Oakley got off to a decent start before Steve Savage departed on 13 but they soon recovered as captain Michael “Woody Woodman Woodstock” Wood put on a magnificent partnership of 101 with Dan Beckall.
Dan eventually went whilst tiring shortly after making his 50 but was followed by a well constructed knock of 28 at from Callum Van Dyke. With Woody blazing his way to 75 and the Oaks approaching the 200 mark, this set up George Lethaby and Alex Brundle to give it some humpty in the final overs.
As series of fours and sixes sent the score hurtling towards 250 before George (25) and Alex (24) departed leaving the tail to run everything and take the score up to a commanding 259 that included an exquisitely executed 9 from the outrageously talented Chairman, Bob Lethaby.
Oaks ran out comfortable winners against Ashford Hill
As the temperature soared the Oaks had a real battle on their hands to take full batting points, especially as Ashford Hill understandably opted for damage limitation rather than chasing an unlikely victory.
All the bowlers and the field worked extremely hard with Lan Van Dyk, as ever, giving everything in pursuit of a breakthrough backed by Steve Bown at the other end.
George Lethaby and Callum Van Dyk also bowled well, sticking to their task and eventually, all the bowlers got at least some reward with George and Bownie picking up two apiece and the Van Dyk’s one each, the highlight being George, rather hilariously, trapping his Uncle Matt Vickery LBW for a duck.
However, Ashford Hill survived to see out the overs, despite Woody trying everything including bowling himself and Bob Lethaby in attempt to flummox the opposition batsmen with a series of donkey drops, pie chucks and reverse good balls, but it wasn’t to be.
However, it was another win and a great team effort by the boys against what was a limited but stoical Ashford Hill side in a match was played in good spirit by both teams.
MOM: Michael “Woodman Woodstock Woody” Wood
Up the Oaks!!