Report from Micky Wood
Oakley travelled to Hartley Wintney away (police college) on a hot balmy Saturday afternoon in great form. Something very odd happened, Alex won the toss. Lovely we all thought. Nice hot day we’ll have a bat get loads of runs and bowl them out. However, Alex decided to have a bowl. When asked about this he said, “we are so good at chasing I’m tempted to let them get 300!”
Wintney’s Flying Start Crushed
So off we went with Dave Bowers and Neil Robbo opening the bowling. Neil was getting a bit of swing and Dave was bowling good line and length. However, the Hartley openers started very well and raced to 80 odd on what looked like a good batting wicket and a quick outfield.
As always Oakley didn’t panic. Well, some got a bit edgy but mainly we stayed calm, and a wicket soon came. Brad picked up a couple, then wickets started falling regularly, with DJ bowling very well getting 4. This was great to see, and every ball was an event (as they say).
Josh also had a good little spell and bounced out a batsman to pick up a wicket. Alex then bowled well at the tail getting 2 and on the last ball of the innings Oakley picked up a run out. HW were all out for 218.
Caeser, Cheesecake and a Comfortable Win
Tea was taken and Bowers had an excellent chicken Caesar salad whilst Brad had a chocolate cheesecake before opening the batting.
Dan Jones and Brad opened and quickly got up the 50 before Brad played a loose shot after whacking the openers all-round the police training Centre ground. A valuable 42 from Brad. In came Nigel who has a bowling machine in his garden don’t you know.
DJ then went but I missed the wicket as I was using the toilet. I imagine it was an unplayable delivery trapping him LBW. Next up was Woody who is starting to look like a younger wiser Joe Root hitting the ball around with ease. Nigel then got out for 12 and got straight into his car and went back to his bowling machine.
Job Done
Bayliss was next to the crease and looked class absolute class. Woody went for 35 whilst Mozza got a duck which in his words he described as “just missed a straight one”. Josh who is the leading run scorer for the firsts and Bayliss then built and good partnership and the chase was never in doubt.
Bayliss went for 40 after a great knock and Josh went for 30 before Alex skipper, leader. Legend, saw us home. Job done
Another great win for the Oaks. Shout out to DJ for his bowling and Bayliss for his batting.