A wonderful knock by Gerry Dique, who carried his bat in an innings of 120 not-out, was not enough to inspire the Oaks to a defendable total at much fancied Odiham yesterday.
Batting first on a good wicket, the Oaks knew a defendable score would be around the 250 mark and when Gerry and Dan Sumner (32) put on a first wicket stand of 70 the omens look good.
All Ton in Vain: Gerry’s 120 was not enough to inspire an Oaks victory
However, Clive Welsman (16) was the only other batsman to get into double figures as the innings stalled just when it needed impetus and 208 was always going to be a low total to defend.
The Odiham openers got off to a flyer and despite some decent bowling from the Oaks, the game was quickly racing away from them under a barrage of boundaries.
Dan Sumner (2) Clive Welsman, Tom Holbroook and Alex Brundle, picked up consolation wickets but Odiham reached the target without too much distress in just 33 Overs, emphasising the realistic target the Oaks had needed to set.
The boys must dust themselves down and go again and somehow look for a batting formula that will build on the foundations set by the openers to start winning matches in a competitive league.
Up the Oaks!