Assuming no other clubs cancel games at the last minute or declare bankruptcy by Friday night, we’re all set for three glorious matches this Saturday. Brace yourselves, because the drama is about to unfold on what looks like being a cooler but still sunny and warm weekend at Oakley Park and beyond.
The Ones: Mid-Table Madness
Our First XI is gearing up for what promises to be a titanic mid-table clash against Compton & Chandler’s Ford IIs. With a mind-blowing 0.2 points separating the teams, it’s anyone’s game—or, more likely, a thrilling tie that leaves us all in a state unbridled tension. If the stars align and other results go our way, the First XI could miraculously find themselves in the top half of the table. Cue the champagne!
After a less-than-stellar run with three defeats in five matches, any talk of promotion is about as realistic as winning the lottery without a ticket. But hey, a top-six finish is still on the cards if they can string a few wins together. Keep an eye out for injury-prone Alex Rogan and our shiny new debutant, Greg Spires. It’s going to be a cracker, or at least mildly interesting.
The Twos: Our Last Beacon of Hope?
Ah, the 2s—our one remaining sliver of glory. With four consecutive wins and a cancellation (they’re all running scared, I’ll tell you!), they’ve launched themselves into promotion contention. A solid victory at home against Donnington could really bolster their hopes, provided they don’t trip over their own hubris.
Sadly, they’ll be missing Steve Bown and Alex Rogan, who’ve been nabbed by the First XI, but fear not! The return of Mike Tiley, fresh from a year-long Achilles vacation, should add some life to the occasionally shaky batting. If Kris ‘Tuckers’ Tucknott and Chris ‘Mozza’ Morris can lay a decent foundation, our middle order might just step up and do something extraordinary. Fingers crossed, anyway.
Bowling looks solid, with Sharan Hurgar’s comeback and Ollie Rabley defying age and logic to have a stellar season. Zak Newton, after his unfortunate dropping last week, will be out to prove a point. This game is crucial for the 2s—not quite do-or-die, but close enough to make us all a bit nervous. well, some of us, anyway.
The Threes: Battling the Odds
The Threes, bless them, have hit a bit of a rough patch lately, despite the heroics of their skipper Dan Beckell. His holiday this weekend means Dave Bowers will lead the charge, with Tom Hartgill tasked with opening alongside Jeff Triner. It’s a lineup that could easily have been a 2s team in another lifetime, so there’s hope yet.
Expect the usual blend of youthful exuberance and, shall we say, seasoned experience. We might witness the 74-year-old Steve Savage batting with Joby ‘McAnuff’ Beatty, setting a club record for the largest age gap in a partnership. If nothing else, it’ll be a heartwarming sight.
Cove 4s are on a hot streak, so this match promises to be a real test. But hey, who doesn’t love an underdog story? The victims of the underdog story, probably.
Final Thoughts
With the weather set to be perfectly ordinary but dry, let’s hope for a string of positive results, a 3 from 3 even! Remember to play hard, respect your opponents, and most importantly, enjoy the game. Win or lose, let’s make this weekend another one to remember for days to come.
Oakley CC Fun Day: Sunday Spectacular
And don’t forget, the cricketing fun continues on Sunday with the Oakley CC Fun Day! Starting at 11 AM and running late into the evening, it’s a day packed with fun, games, a mouth-watering barbecue, and an open bar to keep spirits high. Plus, we’ll be showing the Euro 2024 football on the big screen—Nothing says community spirit like a room full of cricket fans pretending to understand the offside rule. Join us for a fantastic day of laughter, camaraderie, and some questionable tactics from the England football team as we celebrate the best of Oakley CC. See you there!
On we travel…