The Oakley Sunday 11 lost at home today to end their recent running run. In beautiful early summer sunshine at Oakley Park, several batsmen made good starts but failed to capitalise.
After losing Gordon Scott early on, Oakley re-built with Dan Sumner and new recruit Brett Sanders making good progress before Brett’s young brain overtook his old body and he made a dash for a quick single. The result was the old boy’s favourite injury, a twanged hamstring.
Being the old soldier he is, Brett battled on bravely with a runner before eventually being run out on 22. George Lethaby then came to the crease and hit a quick-fire 34 that was aided by a careful and stoical 27 from Dan Sumner who continues to impress as a developing opening batsman.
George Lethaby: Oakley’s top Scorer for with 34
After the departure of George, the wickets of Dan, Tommy Holbrook and Alex Brundle fell in quick succession as Bob Lethaby desperately played the part of Brigadier Blockaball in attempt to keep the innings together. However after Bob departed the innings fell away and Oakley once again committed the cardinal sin of being bowled out without using up their allocated overs.
Defending a total of 137 Oakley got off to a flier with in form Tommy Holbrook removing the opener 4th ball, but after a series of near misses Waverley pushed on. George Lethaby came in first change and put yesterday behind him with a good spell that revived hope after he removed the other opener.
Dan Sumner took a further two wickets and if Oakley had scored 170 odd, it would have been game on, but for the second day in succession, they were left to rue the fact they simply didn’t score enough runs to set a defendable target.
Today’s thanks go to Justine Morris for doing the teas, Paul Sumner for the photography and to Brett Sanders (who could not bend over, let alone field) for doing the umpiring duties.
So a defeat, but to play and be around a great group of people in bright sunshine is still a pleasure!
Up the Oaks