A Stranger Among Us
The day at Oakley Park began with dark clouds and even darker thoughts of abandonment as a heavy shower rolled in. Players from both teams valiantly mucked in to help with the covers—though in one case, a little too enthusiastically.
One helpful soul was spotted assisting with the covers and chatting amiably with the Oakley team. So helpful was he, in fact, that he was assumed to be one of theirs… until Overton said they had no idea who he was. The mystery deepened when he claimed to know one of our lot. Turns out, he was supposed to be playing for St Mary’s. Two miles away. Cue much laughter and one very flustered cricketer jogging off into the Hampshire distance.
Drama in the Field (and the Fielding)
Once the rain passed, the game got underway. Overton started cautiously until Patel clicked into gear with three sumptuous fours in a row and Stef Cox began to settle. Patel’s cover driving was almost too elegant for this league, and a couple of missed chances had poor Zak, doing his best to keep a lid on things, bordering on spontaneous combustion.
Zak and Rogan bowled with good discipline, but it was Ollie “Rabbers” Rabley who got the breakthrough—Patel inexplicably making a mess of a nothing delivery and having his stumps rearranged. Huge relief for Rabbers, who’d earlier dropped the same batsman in what might’ve been a nightmare subplot.
Moments later, the game descended briefly into farce as Overton gifted The Oaks a run out worthy of the Keystone Cops. Cox was run out and surprisingly took it well, resisting the urge to destroy any changing rooms. Maturity, perhaps. Or shock. Either way his calm demeanour will serve his blood pressure well.
With Rabbers and George Bird turning the screw, things got tight. Andy Gould stuck around admirably, but the wickets fell steadily. When he was undone by a Jack Brundle delivery best described as “unrepeatable sorcery,” Overton were in danger of folding for 150.
Enter young Ollie Rose, who had other ideas—smashing a rapid 36 off 24 balls to lift Overton to a respectable if not for 182. Zak deserved far more for his effort, and George Bird’s second spell showed real promise, nabbing a well-earned wicket under pressure.
Kunal’s Fireworks and Cool Heads at the Finish
182 looked a little light on paper, but it would still need chasing. Would The Oaks approach it sensibly?
Absolutely not.
Kunal Solanki came out swinging like he was late for his own wedding. Boundaries flew in all directions as he dismantled the Overton attack with elegant brutality. At the other end, George Rutt was more than happy to rotate the strike and enjoy the best seat in the house as the score raced past 50.
When Rutty fell for a handy 17, Steve Bown took the support role, and Kunal looked nailed on for a century. But cricket, being the eternal mischief-maker, had other plans. On 66, he drilled one straight back at Andy Gould, who somehow clung on to a screamer—more self-preservation than catch, but they all count.
With 100 on the board, George Lethaby joined Bown, who was soon dismissed for a more than handy 21. At that point, 70 were still needed. Enter Nick Green, who, alongside George, put the shutters down and went about the job with quiet authority. No fuss, no fireworks—just smart cricket rather than testosterone fuelled chaos that can end in disaster and usually does.
Together, they guided The Oaks home with a calm 70-run partnership, both finishing unbeaten, Nick with a flourish on 39, George on 28. Another good knock from Nick following last week’s 50—a man hitting his stride. But the day’s stand-out? Kunal, undoubtedly. His innings put the game on a plate and with run rate not an issue, it made everyone else’s job that much simpler.
Post-Match Pints and Balcony Applause
A big B3400 derby win, played in fine spirit from start to finish. Fair play to the Overton lads who stuck around for a post-match pint before heading off to a stag do, possibly wondering what might’ve been if not for Kunal’s bat and a some circus-level run-out.
Back at the club, players from all three Oaks sides gathered for drinks, laughter, and some shared appreciation—most notably as Jeff Triner, freshly minted centurion at 50 years young, took to the balcony to well-earned applause.
A Good Day, That
In a tough season, you treasure the good days—and this was one of them. Great cricket, great spirit, and the kind of club atmosphere you can’t manufacture. The only disappointment was the no show of the mystery cricketer, who didn’t return to help us clear up. Word has it he scored 30 and took three wickets, so his day turned out okay and he’ll have an implausible story to tell his grandkids.
Onwards we travel.