The Second XI entertained high flying Liphook on Saturday at a resplendent looking Oakley Park. Could the Oaks keep up their own impressive start to the season, despite a First XI raid on the in-form players?
Liphook batted first and it was soon apparent they had some classy top order batsmen coming down from SPL 2 to gather form and confidence. What a pisser that it coincided with a loss of key players for The Oaks. Still, in a bid to get control, Jack used 8 bowlers, with mixed results.
Tough Day For the Bowlers
They all toiled hard with some fairing better than others. However, despite early success for Dave Bowers, it was hard graft in increasing heat. The experienced Liphook batsmen tucked into anything short or wayward to pile on the runs.
Two subsequent 130 run partnerships were deflating but credit to the bowlers for at least halting a 300 + onslaught. The only wickets added to Dave’s went to Mike Bryant who finally got Flack, and Will Rabley, who removed Jarratt. Credit must also go to Tom Hartgill and Alan North who battled gamely to ensure respectability.
So, the target was 278 was daunting and needed a Brad Compton-Bearne type innings. Sadly he was too busy peppering the boundary at Crown Taverners and when Liphook went defensive with a deep field, a heroic fightback was always unlikely.
Positives
However, there were still many positives. A year ago, The Oaks may well have folded, all out for 100. So, credit to the boys for not going down easily. Rutty made a good 50 and Nick Green (48) fell just short of another as the batsmen went after, and achieved, maximum batting points. 224 is a very good score after a torrid time in the field.
A bad day? Not really. Liphook desperately need to get up the leagues to support their First XI and they look decent favourites to do so. We just played them on the wrong day. We need to take all the positives out of the game and crack on with it. It is shaping up as a fractured league where anyone can cause an upset, so it’s doubtful one team will fully dominate.
A win this Saturday, and everything is back on track. We just need to be up for the challenge.
On we travel…