First XI Back to Winning Ways!
The First XI got back to winning ways today with an excellent all round performance against Medstead, despite missing talisman and captain, Gerry Dique.
The Oaks batted first and piled on the runs despite losing wickets at reasonably regular intervals in an entertaining spectacle.
Clive Welsman (29) Dan Sumner (32) Paddy Saines (33) Alan North (34) James Bright (35) and James Bayliss (42) were all in on the runs but perhaps the most spectacular and ludicrous of all, was 49 off 13 balls for the lunatic that is Brad Compton-Bearne.
Chasing a whopping 295, Medstead were never really in it and to emphasise a great all round performance, the wickets were spread around as well, with James Bright (2) Tom Barnes (2) Brad Compton-Bearne (2) Dan Jones (2) and James Wiltshire (2) seeing off Medstead for 154.
So, a straightforward victory and maximum points for the Oaks, which will be music to the ears to club Gerry Dique as the boys look to get their season back into gear.
What makes it all the better is that it put to bed the allegations that annoyed Gerry the most; that being that the Oaks were a one trick pony.
Well done lads, a great team effort.
Ley Beat Mount in Bizarre Battle of the Oaks!
Mike Askem had a golden afternoon on a scorcher of a day in the most bizarre of matches against Winchester based Oakmount, possibly one of the best hosts in the local leagues.
Batting first, Oakley got off to a tricky start on a dead pitch and lost Steve Savage early on to one that cut low and appeared to be hitting middle and leg.
Mike Askem then came to the crease and began to build a ‘steady as she goes’ knock with Jack Brundle, who was anchoring the innings in defiant style at the other end.
After the second drinks break, Jack opened his shoulders and went on the attack as Mike kept going along nicely at the other end. The scoreboard started ticking along, which in truth, it needed to if a decent score was to be posted.
It developed into an excellent partnership and when Jack eventually went for 40 and Mike for an excellent 58, it allowed George Lethaby (20) and Ian Bennett (16) to motor the scoreboard along.
The Heat is on: Jack and Mike built a pivotal partnership for Oakley on a scorcher of an afternoon
However, it was Alex Ogden who really stuck the knife in with an excellent 26 in three overs including two excellent sixes as the Oakley compiled a credible looking 184.
George Lethaby took an early wicket to set the Oakley on their way, but after a series of half-chances came and went, Oakmount were looking steady on 36-1 after 15 overs.
Then, in the most bizarre of collapses, Mike Askem completed a hat-trick whilst taking four wickets in two Overs and Kalum Sappumannage, virtually playing second fiddle, took another four wickets at the other end.
Oakley literally went from looking like they were going to endure a long day in the field, to being back in the changing room 15 minutes later, as Oakmount collapsed from 36 for 1 to 41 all-out in the space of 14 balls.
Cricket is the craziest of games, but in all my 49 years of being a jack of all sports and an undisputed master of none, never have I seen anything quite as bizarre as this.
In many ways it was a shame it was inflicted on Oakmount. They epitomised everything that is good about local cricket by providing a warm welcome, superb teas and even a dog sitting service for Marley, the OCC dog. What a lovely group of people!
So, that’s five in five for Oakley, who are now only curtailed in their bid for top spot by a 10 point penalty that they may live to regret.
We move on!
Up the Oaks!