After a disappointing defeat to Basingstoke last week, the Oaks were hoping to get back on track against mid-table Odiham at Newfound on a lovely summer’s afternoon.
Holidays and a last-minute Co-Op pizza-induced sickness for Kris meant that we were able to field no fewer than 6 under 16’s, with debutant Ed Tucknott replacing his stricken dad in a last minute (almost) re-shuffle. What a pleasure it is to see so many good youngsters in the team, all of whom deserving of their spot. More evidence of the excellent coaching received and the opportunities given to them.
Skipper Dan won the toss and had no hesitation in asking Odiham to bat first. What we know of Newfound this season is that it gets lively for the first 15/20 overs before dying down and getting increasingly slow and low as the game moves on and, oddly, more difficult to bat on. The conundrum is whether to take the new ball on an unpredictable pitch and hope you blast through a team quickly or try and compile a good score early on knowing that batting gets tricky if you’re chasing a good score. Choices, choices.
The Bird Boy’s blitzkrieg
Opening the bowling were the Bird Brothers, George from the pavilion end and Harrison from….errrrrrr, the “other” end. Both bowled beautifully as they have done all season. Harrison edged bragging rights with a superb 6 over spell of 3-8 but George was no less effective with 0-19 and causing the batsmen all manner of problems with quick, aggressive bowling. Lovely to see.
Ending their 12 overs with just over 30 on the board, the returning Will Mc and Zak Poulter set about their work and picked up where the Bird Brothers left off with some good, tight bowling. Sensing a small total, the Odiham batsmen cut loose a little with the opening batsman Green reaching very well-deserved 50, comprising 8 fours. A useful 50 run partnership was ended by Zak, nicking one out caught behind by Steve, just as it seemed like they had weathered the storm.
Turning to Kal and Lil to apply some more pressure, Kal quickly got into business after a wild first few deliveries picking up 5-43 in 8 overs whilst Lil continued his excellent, controlled bowling with 1-21 from 7.1, picking up a well-deserved wicket at the end.
Odiham 152 all out. Achievable but tricky.
Bowled, Newfound
With recently Centurian’d (not sure that’s a word) Tall Jeff on holiday and Kris T laid low with the Sour-Apple-Quickstep, Noah confidently stepped up to open the batting with his old man. True to form, the Newfound strip was now tricky to bat on, all pace gone and the ball keeping low. Noah battled well whilst Dan was undone by one that got up about an inch to be bowled. Keep that out. (though Noah and Steve tried to convince Dan that he just missed a straight one).
Kal came and went attempting to deposit the ball into Wooton St Lawrence but seeing his off stump pegged back. Ed hit a lovely drive before giving cover some gentle catching practice and Will Mc departed not long after. Steve Savage joined a stoic Noah but Noah was then soon to depart for a well-made, gritty 18, caught and bowled off a leading edge. George Bird, promoted up the order to try and wrest back the momentum was out for a duck, leaving us a mountain to climb and still some way short with 6 down.
Experience and youth combine
Lil came in to join Steve with the Oaks needing all of Steve’s experience to see this one home. After hitting a glorious straight drive, Lil departed for 8 leaving us 7 down and still some way off. Victory seemed unlikely and the momentum was with the Odiham bowlers now. Tom Mc joined Steve in one of those lovely situations of the old batting with the young.
The noise increased and Newfound turned into a cauldron of chirping. A young quick was brought on to try and finish the job and who bowled with good speed and aggression which we did well to keep out. After his burst of 4 overs (2-28) he made way for the opening bowler, another very good young quick. Tom got pinged by a full toss on his hip and went down. After a quick breather he was back on his feet – the Odiham players all came over to check he was ok with Tom responding to the bowler with “well, I did just hit you for 4 so…..”
Victory still seemed unlikely and, when Steve departed for an excellent 25, it was left to Tom, Harrison, and Zak to try and see us home. Harrison hit a nice 4 but then departed and the game was back with Odiham with one wicket needed for them and still 20-odd needed from us. Could we really expect the youngsters to see us home from here? Absolutely we could, Zak provided an excellent 7 not out and Tom a truly gutsy 27 not out. The winning run was picked off prompting massive roars from the sidelines and handshakes (and a hug for Tom) all round.
I’m not crying, I’ve just got something in my eye.
The proof’s in the pudding
Huge shout out’s to Will Mc, Tom Mc, Harrison and George B, Zak P, and Ed T. All under 16’s. All having come through the Colts set up. All having benefitted from committed coaching. All being trusted to contribute to the men’s teams. And all being given the opportunities they deserve. We have more who are waiting in the wings and who, I am convinced, will become regulars.
Perhaps the performance of the season to my mind.