Match Report from Kris Tucknott
Pre-Match Build-Up: Venue Swap and Unbeaten Streak on the Line
In an interesting twist, the Oakley Two’s and Three’s swapped venues for this league match, with the Two’s taking on Herriard at their home ground in Newfound. Oakley arrived in fine form and high spirits, eager to extend their unbeaten run that had been ongoing since the start of June.
Team Changes and Toss Decisions
As is common in village cricket, especially in August, Oakley made five changes to the side that convincingly defeated Ramsdell the previous week. A notable return was that of skipper Ian Bennett, fresh from his honeymoon, who was determined to bat in search of maximum points. Bennett’s consistency with the coin continued as he won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that left the Herriard captain somewhat relieved, though unsure of what he would have chosen. He did, however, remark that the pitch was hard, fast, and bouncy—a sure sign he had never played at Newfound before.
Batting First: A Steady Start with Mixed Fortunes
Kris Tucknott and Tom Hartgill opened the innings once again, adding an element of consistency to the batting order. Despite tripling their opening stand from the previous week, Tom was soon dismissed after going back to a straight delivery that kept low, departing with only 3 runs on the board. Mozza joined Kris at the crease, adopting a slow and steady approach against a decent bowling attack on a pitch offering variable bounce. The pair put on 54 runs before Mozza, attempting to play a straight shot, missed the ball and was bowled after hitting his pad instead.
Mid-Innings Wobble: Losing Wickets and Confronting the Opposition
Captain Ian Bennett then came to the crease, eager to make his mark after missing the past two matches. However, his stay was brief, lasting only four deliveries. During this partnership, Kris Tucknott had a heated exchange with the fielding side, criticizing their over-enthusiastic appealing. The choice of language offended one fielder, who demanded that Kris be given out for poor language. After apologies were exchanged, the game continued with Oakley reaching the drinks break at around 80 for the loss of 3 wickets.
Lower Order Resilience: Dave Parry’s Game-Changing Innings
After the drinks break, Kris attempted a sweep shot to the off-spinner, a shot he had never tried before, and was dismissed for 47. This brought Alex Brundle to the crease, joining George Lethaby. After a slow start, George began to find the boundary but was soon bowled, leaving the score at 111-6. Oakley found themselves in a precarious situation until Dave Parry entered the fray. Despite being an infrequent player for Oakley due to other commitments, Parry delivered a crucial innings, aggressively targeting a short leg-side boundary and forming vital partnerships with Alex, Ollie Rabley, and Dave Bowers. Parry eventually departed for a quickfire 44 from just 29 deliveries, helping Oakley reach 181-9 from their 40 overs.
Herriard’s Chase: Early Wickets and Key Contributions
With a target of 182, Herriard’s openers started cautiously, adopting contrasting batting styles. They reached 20 for no loss before one aerial shot too many was well caught by Tom Hartgill off Dave Bowers’ bowling. Bowers struck again to dismiss the other opener, who had been resolute in defense but was eventually bowled for 9. At the other end, Attarde continued his aggressive approach, consistently finding the boundary with aerial shots that narrowly evaded the Oakley fielders.
Lethaby’s Key Breakthrough: Turning the Tide
With Herriard looking dangerous, George Lethaby was introduced into the attack. Known for picking up crucial wickets at critical times, Lethaby delivered once again, knocking back Attarde’s leg stump with an inswinging delivery, dismissing him for 32. Alex Brundle then followed up with a vital wicket, bowling the Herriard skipper. Jack Brundle, returning for his second spell, picked up three quick wickets with his spin, including a fine caught and bowled and a cracking delivery to bowl Herriard’s number 9.
Closing Out the Victory: Parry’s Final Contribution
The final two wickets fell to Ollie Rabley, with the match fittingly ending with a catch by Dave Parry, the day’s standout performer. Parry’s catch was a difficult one, almost dropped after he initially misjudged the ball’s trajectory, but he held on at ankle height to secure the win.
Conclusion: A Well-Earned Victory and Lessons Learned
In the end, Oakley Two’s secured a well-deserved victory, maintaining their unbeaten run and solidifying their second-place position in the league. The match was a testament to the importance of key partnerships with the bat, and the value of tight bowling and solid field placements. Despite some wobbles along the way, the team’s resilience and collective effort made the difference.
Man of the Match: Dave Parry
Dave Parry was the clear choice for Man of the Match, with his match-winning knock of 44 runs proving pivotal in taking the game away from Herriard and ensuring Oakley’s continued success.