The Second XI finally registered their first league victory on Saturday, with a comprehensive win over Hartley Wintney III’s.
In muggy conditions and a receding threat of having to look at weather apps, The Oaks batted first. It was soon apparent that this was no easy wicket to bat on as wickets fell, and flurries of chances went down.
Team Effort
However, it was a good team effort, with most players adding runs to what was always going to be a low scoring game. Notable contributions came from Ian Bennet (44) Nellie Warner (43) Nathan Rabley (12) and 21 from Chris Morris. Mozzer always the entertainer, threw his hat, bat, gloves and almost himself to the ground when he got out. This was a result of being done by the pitch, rather than poor shot-making.
Hartley Wintney will have been rather annoyed at themselves for perpetually dropping Ian, and indeed Nellie, who should have been caught first ball. A few late cameos added salt into the wound, particularly an outstanding 9th wicket partnership between Dave Bowers and a resurgent Bob Lethaby, as The Oaks notched up a credible 173.
Still, 4.5 an over is achievable and The Oaks, willed on by Skipper, Jack Brundle, knew they would have to be on their game. And by jiminy, Jeff King was certainly that, ripping through the top order and leaving a beleaguered Hartley Wintney reeling at 14-4. It effectively ended the contest.
Hartley Wintney didn’t just cave in though and kept going. However, first teamer, Clive Welsman (who can only play home games for a while) kept them at bay, with a stingy spell (1-8 off 8). This allowed Ian Bennett to pitch in with two wickets in two balls, reducing Wintney to 38-7.
Obdurate Resistance
Some obdurate resistance from Graham Jackson and Graham Selden kept the contest going. Suddenly, with just over 100 needed in 12 overs after a Dave Bowers wicket and a Jack Brundle run out, reduced them to around 60 for 9, Wintney were right back in it.
Jack, knowing he was on the verge of a first win of 2021, went looking for answers. Bob Lethaby was injured after heroically hurting himself jogging/walking a single, but brave as ever, he raised his hand and offered his services. It was to be one of the greatest gambles of Jack’s career.
Fighting back the pain, Bob steamed in from The Oakley Hall end, wincing, whimpering even, as his side muscle stretched to its limits. Bowling at a pace where he could have kept wicket for his own deliveries, Bob searched for the breakthrough.
A catch off his own bowling was missed, despite a lurching dive where he went down to the ground like a falling tree. A pathetic LBW appeal was turned down, entirely correctly. Then, a reverse slower ball, followed by a fizzing 0.5 MPH quicker ball. As a bowler v batsman contest, think of the Alan Donald/ Michael Atherton match up in the 90’s. Then think what the opposite end of that spectrum might look like.
Bob Gets His Man
Finally, Bob got his man with a thunderous delivery that sent middle stump backwards at such a pace, one of the bails fell off. Bob had done it for his skipper and the crowd went wild. Well, it would have, if it hadn’t gone inside the pavilion to watch Wales lose.
Skipper, Jack Brundle, was elated. In fact, he was so elated, he didn’t give a toss that the First XI had lost. Nothing else mattered, for Jack is a man of the extremes. Losing makes him feel like taking a walk over to the adjacent field with a revolver. Winning sends him into such a hedonistic state, he even thinks about getting a round in.
It was one of those days at Oakley. One where Jack, like a Roman Emperor, led his men to a victory that will live in the memory for days, maybe even a week. The march up the table starts now, and woe betide anyone who tries to ruddy well stop us.
Up The Oaks!