A team featuring several volunteers handsomely beat a Kingsclere side who were also affected by festival goers and holidaymakers at Oakley Park today.
Bowling first and well led by stand in captain for the day, Adam Robinson, Oakley performed magnificently, with Tommy Holbrook once again bowling brilliantly to capture 3 wickets. This was backed by excellent stuff from Sam Holbrook (2) Neil Robinson (2) and a further 2 for newcomer Mark Woodgate that reduced Kingsclere to 131 all out.
Chasing the target, Adam Robinson and Michael Constantine tore into Kingsclere with a plethora of fours and sixes with Adam scoring 62 in 10 overs and Michael adding an entertaining 36. This left Darrell Dimond (11) and Keith Cutmore to finish the job, with Keith, playing his first game of the century enthralling a bumper crowd of six with three consecutive fours to win the game.
The Rain Backed Away From Oakley Park to Allow for an Easy Victory
Overall it was an excellent job done in the field that allowed such a handsome victory and credit must go to some good catching with two superb takes by Neil Robinson and an absolute belter from Michael Constantine in the covers.
Oakley were thankful that the rain shifted eastwards and allowed the game to be played and special mentions need to go to volunteers Graham Fever (who drove from Twickenham) Keith Cutmore and Mark Southgate as well as first team regular, Alex Brundle, who raced home from the Reading festival to ensure that Oakley fielded eleven players. Also, because I am writing this post, a special mention too for Mr Cricket himself, the multi-talented chairman, Bob Lethaby.
Without there help there would have been no fixture today and a 20 points deduction, with them on board, the Oaks walked away with maximum points.
So thanks to all of you from everyone at Oakley Cricket Club, it is appreciated and we hope to see you all at the club again in the future.
Up the Oaks!