A superb century by Dummer number three Gerry Dique, was the difference between Oakley and Dummer yesterday as the rain stayed away and allowed for a competitive local derby.
Dummer were put in to bat, but after a steady start they lost two wickets in one over off the bowling of Oakley under 13 player, Alex Ogden, who went on to have an eventful afternoon with both bat and ball.
Dique came in at three and quickly set about any wayward Oakley bowling as he was stoically supported by Matt “the corpse with pads on” Vickery who defended well whilst watching a fine innings from the other end. If a catch been held by the young Oakley wicket keeper when Dique was on 50 odd, things might have been different but there are not many chance-less 100’s, so it was deserved century. A few cameo roles from the lower order edged Dummer up to 180.
Batting second, the Oakley top order made plenty of starts, but Tom Holbrook, Dan Sumner, Alex Ogden, Bob Lethaby and Rav Kancharla all got out when well set, leaving the excellent Lance Van Dyk to carry the younger inexperienced players in the lower order, remaining unbeaten on 44 as Oakley fell shy of the target. Sadly, Lance now has to wait for another day to make his first Oakley 50.
All in all it was a good day out and there aren’t many games where a 74 year old is playing in the same match as eight lads aged between the ages of 13 and 17. Oakley have made a big push at bringing the young lads into the Sunday sides to gain experience that will be invaluable to their development and it was great to see them giving it their all both with bat and ball.
Alex Ogden, Brad Welsman, John Gorrard, Dan Jones and Lofty Worth, will soon be ready to follow the likes of other former Colts players such as Tommy Holbrook, Steve Bown, Michael Wood, George Lethaby, Dan Sumner, Jack Green, Callum Van Dyk and Julian Worthington into regular competitive Saturday League cricket and that can only be good for the club.
Well done Dummer, it is always nice to see Andrew Ferguson and other familiar faces from local village cricket, both young and old.
Up the Oaks!