The Oaks travelled to the quintessential home of in-form Steep yesterday, fully playing their part in a cracking encounter.
Steep batted first and got off to a steady start in the warm June sunshine. However, The Oaks were fighting hard and a wicket for Clive Welsman checked the run rate. Clive was his usual stingy self and Gayan Liyanage and Fawad Amin were also bowling well, but without reward.
Steep batted steadily and calmly, knowing that chances would come their way as The Oaks tired in the field and batsmen settled in. This proved to be the case, but The Oaks kept plugging away in the field, sticking with it throughout. The Chairman, Bob Lethaby and treasurer, Pete Holcroft, were also trying to stick with it, painstakingly attempting to explain the rules of cricket to George’s girlfriend. Bob gave up for a while, heading to the other side of the pitch to teach his dog algebra instead.
Upping the Run Rate
Steep then showed their experience at this level by utilising their wickets in hand and starting to push along at a quicker rate. As a spectator, it became obvious at 25 Overs, this was where the game could be won and lost.
Credit then to the Steep batsmen, who went harder and harder and started taking the game away from The Oaks. It was harsh on The Oaks change bowlers, who were now getting a bit of a pasting. Bowling on a good pitch, against settled batsmen, can be a brutal gig. Yet, if a couple of half-chances and a shocking miscommunication underneath an absolute dolly of a catch, had stuck, it would have helped.
What was impressive though, is at a point where Steep looked like they might press for 300, we picked up wickets. Will Cheyney and Hugh Croft picked up a wicket apiece, whilst Alex Brundle took four late wickets to slow the run rate down. Huge credit must also go to Ross Hunter, who used all his experience to grab a couple of lighting quick stumpings off Hugh Croft and AB.
AB: led the fightback with four wickets
This left Steep on a daunting total of 268, but well short of the 300 they appeared to be chasing.
Oaks Response
Opening with Will Cheyney and DJ, we got off to a good start. Admittedly this was with the aid of some comically poor catching by Steep. They looked like the sort of team that don’t usually drop many. So, it was with some irony that a dropped catch got them their first wicket. This came via a vomit inducing direct hit run-out dismissing Will Cheyney. Especially annoying as after early nerves, he was looking in great nick.
This bought Ross Hunter to the crease. Ross, doing The Oaks a favour by standing in for James (Holiday) Bayliss, looked a class act. His presence also seemed to allow DJ to grow in confidence, becoming the senior scorer as Ross patiently pushed the ball around with comfort. Good batsmen appear to have time and composure, not the look of my dog when he accidentally rests his testicles on an electric fence.
Steep Breakthrough
At drinks, DJ and Ross had put on a 100 partnership. Although we were behind the rate, we had enough wickets in hand to be right in the contest. Then, shortly after drinks, Ross left one to the oncoming leg spinner and got done LBW on 40. Ross wasn’t sure of the decision but said he deserved to be out. His suggestion being that playing a misjudged leave shot got the punishment it deserved.
The Steep players were cock-a-hoop; they knew it was a big wicket. Then, DJ, perhaps rattled by Ross’s departure, went shortly after for an excellent 66. A collapse now seemed possible with the run rate rising. When Will Montgomery departed soon after, it seemed to be all about sticking with it and trying to get batting bonus points.
Woody and Clive Go For the Gamble
No one told Clive and Woody this. Both decided the game could still be won. They embarked on a roller coaster of a partnership as Steep began to wilt and fumble chances in the field. Suddenly it was game on. It was one of those partnerships when, just when you think there was too much to do, Clive or Woody smashed a six.
Steep did have chances though. One catch taken whilst falling over the rope, ended up as a six. Another dropped into, then through the hands of the fielder in the deep. He was rightly furious and dropped kicked the ball with the sort of ferocity that made you wonder how he didn’t break his foot. It was a comical moment, but no one laughed, mainly through fear of also getting volleyed across the pitch; he looked a big tough lad. Clive made an excellent 57 and Woody 55 not out. It was a great effort.
Woody: Unbeaten on 55
It was always a big chase though and, in the end, Steep kept their nerve (just) and deservedly got their third successive victory as The Oaks finished 244 for 5. They are a fit, strong and mostly young team. On this evidence, they will be a match for most teams in this league. They were also a friendly and welcoming bunch, who hold up the values of village cricket.
For their part, The Oaks left with the consolation of picking up 11 bonus points that will be vital in our bid to maintain county 2 status. To be able to compete with Steep and take the game to the wire, should give us great confidence. We just need that first win to get us moving.
We move onwards and upwards!