Report by our seconds correspondent, Michael Wood.
Oakley 2s hosted Donnington on Saturday on a wet old pitch. Mr Bown won the toss and put Donnington in, which at the time looked like the correct thing to do. Avi and Olly opened the bowling, they didn’t bowl badly but the pitch was so slow once the bats got themselves in, it was easy to bat on. Credit to Avi who came up from the 3s and was rolling back the years to the amazement of Woody and Bown.
The chances started coming and with the bats starting to open up, it was key we took our chances. Unfortunately, Ollie dropped a dolly on a batsman who was on 52 and he went on to get 142; we won’t talk about it much though.
Also, bowling was Clive, who was his usual boring self. Tall Jeff with his off spin also bowled but the Oaks couldn’t get the score down. On came Ravi and DJ and they were the pick of the bowlers; DJ was superb turning the ball left and right and getting their opening bat out, who got 142. Ravi also kept the score down well. Sorry Will, I know you bowled but can’t remember too much from it.
Chasing 211 to win it was a big chase but not impossible.
Tall Jeff and Savage opened the batting. Donnington bowled well and got a few early wickets. Tall Jeff got a good ball and Will got out quickly. Oaks were on 12 runs off 12 overs and really needed to step up. In came Woody who was struggling for runs but my good God he didn’t look it. Savage got out and Clive joined Woody in a good partnership reaching 101. Clive got to his 50 first playing some lovely shots.
At the other end Woody was finding the middle of the bat like a young Brian Lara. Clive got caught but the Oaks had a chance after his fine innings. In came DJ who hit a lovely shot of his pads straight to the fielder. Back he went to the club house for a jäger bomb. The skipper then came in and started to run well and with Woody batting well. Just when it looked like they could reach the target Bown got bowled.
It was now a big ask with batsman coming and going too regularly on a pitch you needed time to get used to. Woody got out on 69 and with Will, Ollie and Ravi all giving it a big go – it was just too much to chase. It was another enjoyable game for the 2’s. We always have a good laugh on the pitch, even if we do see a lot of Ducks. Man of the match was Clive for bowling well and giving the Oaks a chance to win.
Up the Oaks!