First’s on the Wrong End of an Up and Down Day!

Report from First XI correspondent, Bob Lethaby

Oakley entertained Bransgore on Saturday in another game decided by small margins on a warm afternoon. With the late withdrawal of Fawad Amin, this left Alex selecting Gayan Liyanage at the eleventh hour. Gayan was in a bit of a race against time, so the chairman packed his kit just in case.

What the chairman did not want, was a good news/bad news text from his son George, as he was driving up the A303. It soon stopped him sniggering at the mugs on the opposite carriageway who had all decided to head to the beach at the same time (see below).

The text went on to mention that Will Cheyney had got a bit of a Jaffa of a first ball. James Bayliss’s shot was apparently that of something that cannot be mentioned on family club website. George was to offer his own unmentionable version, later in the innings.

Rescue Mission

By the tim the chairman arrived, Will Montgomery and Clive Welsman had embarked on a rescue mission. The chairman asked where Bayliss had got to. “See that white dot on the horizon…that’s James”, came the reply. James had gone on a hike around Oakley. When he did eventually return and walked into the club house with his spikes on, it was like a scene from the Mary Celeste as players and supporters scattered in all directions.

Off for a hike: James Bayliss (circled) sets off on a tour of Oakley

The partnership between Will and Clive went from desperate to fruitful as they pulled the game around with an excellent 83 run partnership. Sadly, Clive went to a brilliant catch at square leg that shocked everyone, the fielder included. It was a cracking shot ruined by a cracking catch.

This set the game up for the middle order and boy oh boy, they did not deliver. Chaos ensued, ducks and irresponsible, vomit inducing shots, undid all the hard work as five wickets went for 19 runs. Clive was rightly fed up. Only Will, who eventually went on 47, got done by an unplayable ball.

With the last two batsmen in with only 125 on the board, the game looked gone. However, all credit must to Gayan Liyanage (17 not out) and Josh Carpenter (23 not out). They batted beautifully to get us to a respectable tally of 165. But would it be enough? Probably not, but at least it was something to defend.

Defending the Total

So, lets get onto the fielding. Well, it showed anyone who was watching, what this club is about. Oakley bowled and fielded superbly, blocking, chasing, and firing the ball in with great energy as Bransgore battled hard to stay on top.

Josh Carpenter made the breakthrough, with George Lethaby taking a great low catch. When further wickets came for Gayan Liyanage and Clive Welsman, at 60-3 it was game on. Bransgore fought back and looked to be well in control as they passed 100. However, when George trapped their key batsmen LBW on 47, there was still hope at 117-4.

However, Bransgore batted well and batted deep and despite a good run-out, they avoided a calamitous end. It was a shame that the game ended with two wides as George desperately tried to do the impossible, but it was a spirited effort from all 11 players.

So, lets make no bones about it. The Oaks are going to be in a relegation battle this season. However, there is plenty to be hopeful about. We are not getting battered, we just have not been putting in complete performances.

The middle-order batting needs to improve or change. Based on Saturday, it just needs a bit more guts and concentration. We batted like it was the last over of the game when there were still 12 overs left. That has to change, and quickly.

Thanks to Bransgore, a good bunch of lads who played the game in a great spirit and all stayed for a beer after.

On we travel.

MOM: Will Montgomery. A vital 47 when a collapse looked inevitable.