The Oakley Two’s grabbed the RNE Division 2 title yesterday courtesy of a 12th successive victory and St Mary’s going down to Hook, who took third place ahead of Hartley Wintney.
The Oaks had to try and stay focused on their job and ignore other events as they took on lowly Cove, a team of up and coming youngsters with a few older heads.
Batting first, the Oaks scoreboard got moving but when Steve Savage and Jack Brundle departed, things did look a little edgy. However, batting at three, Mike Tiley was going along nicely, creating partnerships with Darrell Dimond, George Lethaby (23) Alex Brundle (35) and Alex Ogden (18).
Mike eventually went on 48 whilst trying to push the score along but a few late cameos from Ian Bennett, Kalum Sappumanage and Jeff King, edged the Oaks past 200 and maximum batting points.
Chasing 206, Cove went for it from the off, with their opener smashing some lusty shots all around the place to set the alarm bells ringing. However, the Oaks reacted with a defensive field and George Lethaby got his man courtesy of a fine tumbling catch by Jack Brundle.
Thereafter it was something of a procession with wickets falling at regular intervals as the scoreboard ground to a halt and the Oaks started looking towards the title as news of a St Mary’s defeat at Hook filtered through on mobile phones.
George Lethaby picked up another wicket as did Kalum Sapummanage but it was Alex Brundle who did all the damage with an excellent 6 wicket haul.
All that was required was a fairytale finish, so with 9 down and 3 Overs remaining, George brought on his dad, Chairman, Bob Lethaby. Bob tossed down a pie that was hit airbound towards Mike Tiley and just as the celebrations started, Mike dropped it. Such is life.
However, it mattered little and after a whole season eating away at a 10 point penalty whilst chasing St Mary’s, the title was sealed on the final day of the campaign. You have to feel for the Churchmen but with 12 consecutive victories and a 100% record, it was hard to deny Oakley a deserved title.
A remarkable achievement.
