The Under 15’s had a reasonably comfortable victory after a decent test from Rowledge 2’s at a wet Oakley Park this morning.
Batting first, the Oaks overcame the shock of losing Alex Ogden first ball with Nathan Rabley (38) and Nick Green (36) laying in to anything loose as the scoreboard ticked along.
Alfie Rowley went cheaply off a shot he won’t want to see again in a hurry but Dan Jones (16) Josh Hull (15) and Matt Jones (14) got the Oaks up to a daunting total of 144.
Rain Gain: The 15’s picked up maximum points at a wet Oakley Park
As the skies darkened and the rain became more persistent, the game looked in danger of being called off, but wickets came along regularly with James Burns, Matt Jones, Josh Hull and Ethan Taylor all getting in on the action as Rowledge struggled to get a foothold on the game, both metaphorically and literally.
Ultimately, it was Alfie Rowley, who did the major damage, picking up 4 wickets as the dust turned to mud with the ball going to hand like bar of soap.
This is a remarkable turn around for a team that did not win a game last year and it is obvious to see that success is built around a team spirit where equality rules over ability, with captain, Dan Jones, ensuring that every player is involved with either bat or ball.
Further tests will come but the 15’s are learning to play cricket the Oakley way…a way where inclusion breeds the desire to do well for others.
Up the Oaks!