Report from Gerry Dique.
The first team arrived at the Liphook and Ripsley CC ground under cloudy skies and quickly set about their business in warming up for a tough game.
By the time the toss was completed, the sun was out and conditions looked great for the game. Oakley were asked to bat first and Gerry and Dan made their way out to the middle looking to set a firm foundation for the team with a strong batting line-up to launch from.
The Liphook and Ripsley opening bowlers started off really well bowling very disciplined lines with real good pace and carry, giving nothing away.
Gerry and Dan found scoring difficult due to the bowlers bowling to their field set, but as they tired a few deliveries were there to be scored from.
Just as Gerry looked to increase the scoring rate, he was well caught at first slip for 9 with Dan soon to follow for 3, bowled to a sharp delivery.
Michael Wood and James Bayliss were then left to consolidate. They stuck to the task and pounced on the odd loose delivery. When the opening bowlers were replaced, scoring opportunities became more frequent however Liphook and Ripsley maintained really high standards in the field.
After drinks, the team was looking to push on with 8 wickets still in hand. Michael started to put the foot down and played with an admirable freedom. James played a few lusty blows before falling for 13.
Alan North opened his account with a huge six and when he was dropped a few deliveries later after hammering the ball to cover, the team felt that this may be a big innings. Unfortunately it was not to be and he had to depart for a brisk 10, opening up the next slot to Brad Compton-Bearne.
Again it was felt that with Brad being promoted, the scoring rate will increase sharply and hopefully lead to a score that was well out of reach. Brad didn’t disappoint in that he scored freely and was set to build on Michael’s fighting work, however he ended up being well caught on the boundary for 9.
Neil Warner followed shortly after for 6, a good catch in the covers. With 10 overs to go and 6 wickets down, the team was facing the prospect of being bowled out inside their allotted 45 overs. Jack Brundle settled the nerves and complimented Michael beautifully with his measured approach. Michael brought up his 50 with a brilliant straight 4 and followed it up with one of the biggest sixes of the day.
A few more boundaries came and after timing the ball beautifully, Michael was caught at point. It was a beautifully timed shot, slightly uppish and the catch was a good one.
The biggest six of the day was hit as an opening scoring shot by the Gravy Express, Mark Potter. Running between the wickets was very good as Jack and Potter picked up where the previous batsmen started to increase the pressure on the fielders picking up tight singles and turning ones into twos.
Unfortunately a mix up lead to the run out of Mark Potter for 11 and Jack was joined by his brother Alex. Runs continued to flow and batting bonus points were being pocketed which is crucial in addition to any potential winning points. Another run out closed a very good innings by Jack Brundle for 26.
Tom Barnes joined Alex and they both got the team to 206, a very competitive score especially considering the slow start to some accurate bowling. Michael’s effort was the glue that held the innings together and helped set up the big hitters to come and play their game.
The team looked to take that momentum into the fielding effort.
That they did with Mark Potter and Tom Barnes bowling really well. A few streaky shots didn’t distract them from their tasks. Tom’s superb bowling ensured he was rewarded when Alex held on to a tricky catch in the covers. Tom was unlucky not to be rewarded further for his great bowling effort when the other opening batsmen provided a very tough return catch, one of those that either stick or don’t. This didn’t deter Tom in the slightest and he was again unlucky to not be rewarded when a catch went down in the slip cordon by Gerry, a catch that should have been taken.
Meanwhile Mark was bowling at great pace and with patience of a saint as a few edges either went wide of slip or over slip. Unfortunately when the edge finally presented a catch at reasonable height, Gerry couldn’t wrap his hands around it. Should this have been held, it would have been due reward for a great bowling effort by Mark. He bowled his 10 on the trot on a hot afternoon without dropping his pace which was admirable.
Brad took over the bowling from Tom’s end and immediately fell into a groove testing the batsmen. When he got the second wicket, the team felt they were clawing themselves into a position where they could really turn the screw. By the time drinks was taken, Liphook and Ripsley needed to score at a run a ball. This was a situation where further wickets was an absolute must to make life for the incoming batsmen as difficult as possible.
Another partnership was being built slowly but surely and a few chances were agonisingly close to fielders without the required luck to turn into wickets. Gerry brought Dan into the attack to provide a change of pace and after a few lusty blows, got a wicket brilliantly caught at the wicket by James. He then accounted for the new batsmen, bowled by a beauty after dragging the batsmen out of his crease through some great variation.
The opening batsmen pushed on and registered his 50. He continued to play some lovely drives, but mistimed a shot off Dan and was caught on the boundary by Alan.
With 5 wickets down and still a run a ball required off the last 6 overs, the pressure was building and unfortunately another catch went down on the boundary.
The team continued to push on and worked really hard to create another breakthrough, but it wasn’t to be. Liphook and Ripsley closed off the game in the last over to a good straight drive.
The ground fielding was very good this week, however, there is naturally still room for improvement.
Yes, there were some really tricky catches offered that went down, but the regulation catches need to be taken as a minimum to create further opportunities.
The team would have loved a victory in what is surely to be one of the tough fixtures this season, but there are many positives to take out this game. Tom Barnes has shown a great maturity in his bowling, ably supported by Brad, Dan and Alex with their attacking bowling. Mark is bowling at great pace with good control and I know the best is yet to come.
From a batting perspective, Jack and Alex impressed with their cameos and working hard towards the backend of the innings. Everyone chipped in and seems a couple of shots away from a match-winning hand which is truly exciting. Michael though was without a doubt the pick of the batsmen. He provided a cool head when the pressure was on and shown excellent acceleration and control when it was needed.
The message leaving a beautiful venue was simply that, if each one of us continue to improve an area of focus for us as individuals, it will without a doubt have a huge cumulative positive impact on the team as a whole. I can’t help but feel that we are closer as a unit to winning these close fought games, than being on the wrong end of the result.
A lot of valuable lessons learnt in a game that was played hard, but in a very good spirit. Liphook and Ripsley were excellent hosts with unquestionably one of the best teas around!
My Oakley player of the day goes to Michael Wood.