The Oaks travelled down to Twyford yesterday where the early clouds parted, leaving a fine old park ground basking in the sunshine, cooled by a fresh breeze. A perfect day for cricket.
Batting First
The Oaks batted first and soon discovered why Twyford are big favourites for a promotion tilt. The opening bowling pair were meaner than a Yorkshireman when it’s his round, especially Reidy. DJ and Matt Burrell dug in well though. The hope was that if the openers could see these two off there might be something more wayward on offer.
It was a gutsy start and there was a platform being built. When DJ finally went for a measured 19, Matt Burrell and Gerry Dique kept things ticking along, waiting for an opportunity to accelerate. It didn’t come as the bowling stayed tight, increasing the pressure. That pressure led to Matt being run out for 31, another decent knock in a fine season but a frustrating way to go.
Trying to Accelerate
It then became a case of trying to get the scoreboard moving. However, Josh Carpenter (15) and Gerry Dique (25) both got out whilst trying to push along. If the scoreboard was a car, it would have been a Fiat Multipla. James Bayliss tried to push the run rate up and was hitting the ball well, but the fielding was proving as tight-fisted as Jack Brundle at a curry house.
When Brad Compton-Bearne came to the crease, there was a feeling of ‘last chance saloon’ in the air. It was to be a fleeting visit. To stay in line with the bar room metaphor, Brad whacked down a couple of shots and walked out. We really needed half an hour of Gunslinger Brad, but it didn’t happen. James (25no) and Alex Brundle gamely tried to take the game to Twyford, but they kept their nerve and reduced us to 156 -7.
Defending a Paltry Total
The lads kept up a positive vibe at the break but deep down, there was a feeling we were at least 50 short of a competitive total. Still, The Oaks had no choice but to go out there and try to make things happen. A couple of early wickets can turn the best of sides into the Keystone cops, so the boys had to give it a crack.
Bayliss opened with Stef Kaltner and AB looking for some early momentum. Both bowled well but the Twyford batsmen dug in, knowing they didn’t have to do anything silly. It was the right thing to do with a small target but there was no chance of kids from the local park areas flooding down the hill to see what all the drama was about. This was no advert for local cricket when the alternative is Grand Theft Auto.
Brief Hope
There was brief hope when AB deservedly picked up the wicket of Park who miscued to Dan Jones. It was one of those catches that took what seemed like a week to drop into DJ’s hands. One that the writer of this report would have dropped 999 times out of a thousand, desperately trying to retrieve it as it rolled down his chest and then leg.
Thereafter, the game just ticked along without much happening. It was kind of the opposite to ‘Bazball’ which personally, I am sick of hearing about. The Oaks put in the hard graft and Twyford ticked along, picking up singles and occasional wides. There was another albeit, flickering glimmer of hope when Will Cheyney got Watson. Paddy Saines took the smart stumping, but the new batsmen simply kept things ticking along to their inevitable conclusion.
Late Consolation
Harry Tucknott picked up a late consolation wicket but Twyford cantered home despite a sterling effort in the field. This wasn’t a cataclysmic defeat like the one v Overton, it was simply a day when the opposition edged us out in most departments. It was not a thrashing; it was just a day where Twyford bowled beautifully, meaning we couldn’t compile anything defendable.
So, where does this leave The Oaks? Well, we are a good side but perhaps not one that is good enough for a promotion tilt just yet. If we look at South Winchester (formerly IBM Hursley) who went up last season, they are rock bottom of County Two. Going up too soon and being whipping boys, is not much fun.
The Positives
However, The Oaks are a young team that is still learning. It’s easy to forget that Harry Tucknott is still only 15 and Josh Carpenter, is 18. It seems like he is a veteran, but DJ is only 24 and still learning to be an opener. He is making big strides this year and when he turns the 20s and 30s into 50s and 100’s it will be a huge bonus.
The Oaks are in a good place. I was impressed with everyone yesterday. We still only have two defeats and with teams all playing each other at the top, promotion is still very much achievable. What we have to do is regain momentum and see where it takes us. If we sneak in via the back door, we will take it. We also need to remember that being ‘the best of the rest’ still constitutes year-on-year improvement and overall success.
Well done everyone and well done to Twyford, a good side who I wouldn’t bet against going up.
On we Travel!