Report from Steve Poulter
The U15s returned to Oakley Park last night like King Arthur and his Knights still searching for their Holy Grail, the elusive 1st win of the 2023 season. Was this to be the night? Would heroic deeds unfold? Or were the lads to be left battered and bloody upon the field of battle?
Oaks Bat First
Basingstoke B were the opposition, fielding a slightly scrambled side of u15s, U13s and even a few U11s thrown in for good measure. Skipper Harrison, in the role of King Arthur, lost the toss, but proceed to get his way when he was asked to bat first.
The first two knights, Tom Woodward and Olly T, strode tall to the crease, something more noticeable when some of the opposition fielders are only 10. Tom W, facing first, picked up the first delivery beautifully and sent it sailing over the rope for 6.
50 For Woodward
The tone had been set and the opening pair proceeded to put Basingstoke to the sword, compiling 84 runs in the first 7 overs with one or two difficult dropped catch efforts being ruthlessly punished. Tom was in magnificent form and proceeded to hit 11 boundaries for a glorious (52) not out. Olly, likewise, looked imperious and saw out all of his 8 overs, before retiring with (16).
So 8 overs gone and 95 on the board for no loss. This was no Monty Python quest unfolding ladies and gents, this was something rather special. In at 3 and 4 were skipper Harrison and Will McCatrhy, could they continue the punishment?
It appeared so, with them both picking up boundaries off of their first balls, but unfortunately Harrison (5) got caught short on a quick single. Frustrating for the Captain when there looked to be plenty of runs in the offering.
50 for McCarthy
In came Zac to join Will, a useful partnership last week and so again it proved, as they proceeded to punish anything and everything. Will, looking especially dangerous like a prime Ben Stokes, joined Tom in the boundaries bonanza, smashing 10 of them on his way to his first ever half century and retiring at (51).
Zac (19) saw out his 8 overs coming back in just after Will, leaving the score on a dizzying 192 for 1 after 17 overs. 200 was in sight, a first for many of the players and parents in attendance. Giddiness swept the field like 100s and 1000s over ice cream.
George and Dylan were Finish the Job
Dylan (4) swept his first for a lovely 4. Giddiness crept up. Sadly he then stepped out of his crease by the barest of margins and got stumped next ball. George (7) was joined by River (0) and they proceed to bring it home carrying the Oaks over the threshold of 200 finishing with a gloriously massive 215 for 2.
Giddiness galore!
A fine total and one that clearly gave the Oaks a great chance of bagging the W that shimmered in the evening sun like a certain golden chalice.
Defending 250
Oakley came into the field pumped. Zac P and George B took the first overs and proceed to zip down some quickies, both having good first overs, but being far more loose and expensive 2nd time round, although George did pick up the first wicket with an excellent delivery.
Cooler heads were needed and in came Olly and Freddie. Freddie got one to turn straight away and the bowler lofted a catch up to Harrison. Both proceeded to slow down the scoring rate smartly.
Wickets Tumble cut
Harrison, still smarting from the run out, put himself in next and picked up another wicket quickly, cleaning out the Batters middle stump. Basingstoke had added some runs, but at the cost of wickets and the Oaks could smell blood.
Wickets began to tumble with Dylan and Will both picking up one each and a smart run out from Owen and Harrison. The score began to look increasingly insurmountable. Giddiness went up another notch.
As Basingstoke stalled around the 120 mark, Oakley relaxed and proceeded to enjoy themselves. River and Tom kept the run rate down before Harrison put himself back in the attack and in true skipper fashion he proceed to pick up another wicket, to go with his two catches and a run out.
Legends are Born
Oakley, now fully relaxed, started to add more slips then a ship building yard. There was finally a moment worthy of Monty Python, when one bounced through to George at wicket keeper, who nudged it past Olly at 1st slip, who nudged it back the other way past Zac and all three lay comically on the floor having been wrong footed. Cricket loves to give you a good humbling, even in your finer moments.
With the Sun finally cooling off, it happened, the last wicket fell. Another ripper by Harrison, claiming his third, cleaning bowling the batsman and securing the win. And what a win. Basingstoke were all out for 130, Oakley winning by 85 runs. An outstanding batting performance, matched with some excellent bowing at crucial points.
The legends, Holy Grail secured, rode off into the sunset and thus the search for win number two began…