The Oaks Under 15s 2024 season kicked off in the idyllic setting of Longparish on Friday night. However the most glorious sight of the evening was the team resplendent in their brand new threads. Green and black hasn’t looked this tasty since a certain premium chocolate company started up 30 odd years ago. The dynamic coaching duo of Kris and Dave are starring this season in the role of Willy Wonka and creating heavenly cricketing confectionary is their aim.
With chocolate on everyone’s mind (well mainly mine) captain Joby won the toss and elected to field first.
So it Begins
No doubt bedazzled by the dashing kit the opposition seemed a little dumbstruck as Harrison Bird and Zac Poulter opened the bowling, with Harrison proving especially economical with a tidy maiden in his first over. Oakley looked lively in the field too, and only a dropped catch in the 4th over prevented an early break through.
More positive bowling from George Burden and Will McCarthy followed and finally in the 7th over they got the breakthrough they had deserved when George had one nicked back to be taken smartly by wicky George Bird, leaving Longparish 30 for 1.
Two overs later George picked up his second with a slower delivery that the batsman mistimed and was seen to be still shaking his head about 30 minutes later. 40 for 2 off of 9.
Coaching Matters
Refreshingly vocal, the team were supporting each other with positive vibes and even pulling out some Coach Dave inspired ‘Twix’ like tandem fielding on several occasions.
Ted Gillies produced a moment of fielding ‘Black Magic’ with a run out from deep point in the 10th over and the very next ball Harrison Bird took a smart catch from Bhiela Sapumanage’s excellent bowling. Wickets coming as thick and fast as my terrible chocolate puns. 50 for 4 after 11 overs.
All this was followed by more good fielding from the whole team, a pair of wickets for Harrison and Brin taking a good catch from Will’s bowling. Longparish finished up 91 for 7 and looking like they needed a good ‘Timeout’. An excellent performance in the field from the lads, could they follow up with the bat or would they melt under the pressure like a ‘Rolo’ in the hot sun?!
Oakley Mode Engaged
So a target of 91 was the aim. Surely they couldn’t ‘fudge’ it up?
Well actually this IS Oakley after all, so of course they gave it a bloody good go. After 4 overs the score was 15 for 3, Bhiela (2) was caught and bowled while Will (0) and Joby (0) both went for a pair of ducks. Only George Bird was getting bat on ball with some thunderous heaves for 4.
Oakley mode Disengaged
Visiting Chairman Bob, had seen this type of stuff before from his ‘club’ but thankfully the kids not wishing to let the VCB down, especially as he’d dressed up for the evening, decided to right the ship. George was joined at the crease by Zac. These two offer very different styles, both proving equally effective. George (25) blasting his way to 25 not out while Zac sedately ticked along with him.
After George retired, Owen (2) came and went after getting a sharp delivery, but next in Ted continued to take quick ones and twos with Zac building a healthy score. When Zac (19) retired after 8 overs the score was a much healthy 80 for 4 from 15 overs. That quickly become 80 for 5 next ball when Ted (11) tried to ‘twirl’ his bat and go for a big shot, but with the 5 overs and 11 runs needed, Brin (1) and Harrison (7) saw Oakley comfortable home with 3 overs to spare.
So a fine performance overall, with just a nice touch of Oakley wobble sprinkled on top to keep it interesting. ‘Wispa’ it, but this is a very capable young team who on their day will give anyone a good match.
On we travel..