Oakley hit top form yesterday with a crushing win over Chawton that was pretty much hard to fault in cool and damp conditions at Oakley Park.
Oakley were missing key players, Mark Potter, Tom Holbrook, Paddy Saines and Neil Warner, but the cancellation of the seconds game allowed George Lethaby, Brad Compton-Bearne, Dan Jones and Fred Bennett to step up.
Batting first on a difficult pitch Gerry Dique and Dan Sumner put on an obligatory fifty-partnership before Dan departed on 27.
Brad Compton-Bearne came on to speed things along a bit and went for a classy golden duck but Clive Welsman followed him and added an excellent 25. With a few other cameos the Oaks reached 191, thanks to a sensational 114 from the immovable Gerry Dique, who is threatening to become the league’s number one batsman.
The Oaks battling it out with Chawton yesterday
Chasing the target, Chawton went at it hard but it cost them dear with Clive taking two wickets in an over. However, the 3 and 4 for Chawton were motoring along with some lusty blows, so cool heads were required in the Oakley ranks.
Jimmy Bright removed the number 4 and when Alex Brundle cleaned bowled the dangerous number five for 57, what could have been a tricky defence, turned into a cakewalk as Chawton were dismissed for 106.
Wickets went to Jimmy 2-38, Clive 3-40, Alex 2-14 and Dan 2-25
All in all a good all round performance and at last, back to back victories as the Oaks start to climb the table.
Man of the Match….erm….err…hmm…Gerry I suppose?
Up the Oaks!