The Oakley second string produced an excellent team performance yesterday, overcoming East Woodhay in a well contested and good spirited match-up at a humid and showery Oakley Park.
Bowling first, the Oaks were a little off colour in the first couple of overs but a Tom Barnes jaffa, well held by George Lethaby in the slips, removed the young and promising looking Woodhay opener to get things moving.
However, the other opener was proving immovable and showed great experience as he plundered runs from anything loose, meaning the Oaks had to really dig in as a few half-chances came and went.
George Lethaby removed the number 3 courtesy of a fine catch by Steve Savage but the opener remained and was joined by the Woodhay number 5 who looked shaky early on but somehow contributed a patchy half-century in what was looking like a pivotal partnership.
The opener eventually went for an excellent 69, caught by George Lethaby off the bowling of Perry King, who also picked up the number five just after his half-century, Jack Brundle taking the catch. Tom Barnes picked up another wicket as Woodhay finished on what could be regarded as an above par 202-5.
The Oaks battling it out with East Woodhay in an excellent contest
The Oaks opened with Steve Savage and Jack Brundle and looked comfortable enough before Jack departed, caught at mid-on with the score on 20. Re-building was required and Steve Savage and Dan Jones got the score up to 55 before Steve, who was feeling unwell, departed on 22 and Dan quickly followed after a patient and well constructed 18.
This left George Lethaby and Brad Compton-Bearne as the last recognised batsman at the crease with 134 still required and the game swinging heavily in favour of Woodhay. However, a superb partnership of 94 put the Oaks right back in it before George went for a cultured 46 and Brad followed straight after following a rather chaotic 43.
This left Bob Lethaby and Ian Bennett at the crease with 36 still required and Woodhay sensing a victory, with Oakley nerves jangling as the game hung in the balance.
Bob kept the scoreboard ticking whilst at the other end Ian took advantage of his time in the spotlight crunching three sixes in what was turning into a match-winning partnership of 32. In a late twist, Ian was bowled with the Oaks still needing three to win, but Lance Van Dyk kept calm, hitting two runs to even up the score.
With two overs left, Bob finished the game in style with a crunching four, allowing the Oaks to celebrate a great chase and a superb all-round team performance where all the players contributed in one way or another.
MOM: George Lethaby: A wicket, two catches and a critical captain’s knock of 46 when the Oaks were in trouble.