With holidays and injuries depleting the second team, it would have been easy to pull the fixture and take a points deduction. However, a plethora of begging phone calls and text messages resulted in the two’s fielding a team that featured young colts, late volunteers and semi-crippled parents making the 90 mile round trip to Midhurst.
In more hope than expectation, Oakley bowled first and Naveen Chandru proceeded to rip through the beleaguered Midhurst top order on his way to a sensational five wicket haul. Lance Van Dyk and Alex Ogden joined in the action as Midhurst were eventually all out for a paltry 99.
Alex Ogden opened the bat with Gordon Scott and scored an excellent 33 that was backed up by a similar knock by Tim Parry as Oakley coasted to their target without too much alarm. Their were also contributions from Billy Turner and Chandru.
It goes to show that it is always good to get a team out at any cost, because rather than a 20 point deduction, the seconds walked away with a win and a great tally of batting and bowling points that will ensure their survival against relegation.
Well done everyone, that was a big effort.
Up the Oaks!!