Report from Noah Beckell
The 2’s hosted Alton 3s on a hot Saturday afternoon where the boys knew it was going to be a tough game but were more than up for it following there incredible fight back vs Overton last weekend. Jack went onto win the toss and decided to bat first. With Jack and Tom opening both were sure hoping to do a bit better than the 0-2 start that we had with the bat last weekend.
Oaks bat first
It was a slightly better start than last weekend with not losing 2 in the first over but it was still not the start we were hoping for. Jack and Tom dug in with Tom timing the ball nicely at times (usually straight at Nigel). Jack got a Harry Brook dismissal where he unfortunately dragged back onto his stumps and then Nigel “The Gazelle” Bishop followed quickly afterwards following a good catch at second slip. Bowny, then got a snorter of a ball which he had no chance of keeping out glancing his glove as he edged behind. Nobody could have expected that, especially at Oakley. Tom also followed after drinks with another being nicked behind.
Alan, Will and Nick counterattack
This then bought Nick and Alan to the crease. Alan went mental in his first 6 balls scoring 16 runs, including a beautiful clip of his legs second ball which had the oaks feeling once again optimistic of a good score. Nick Green then did Nick Green things smashing the ball to all parts of the ground (short mid-wicket boundary) and had the run rate briefly accelerating. Then Alan got out to a good leg stump yorker which then once again halted the Oaks momentum (story of the innings). Will came in and played well once again, much like last week, but then was caught. Nick then was caught a few overs later from a ball that Nigel seemed to think had gone onto the train tracks. He’s still celebrating apparently. The last wicket was too fall was Kallum who was caught brilliantly on the boundary, the 5th catch of the innings. The Oaks were bowled out for 138 from what was a brilliant bowling and fielding display by Alton. I don’t remember one bad ball at all and only 7 wides and 1 no ball in 36 overs.
Oakley try to defend unlikely total
Defending 139 was always unlikely against a solid Alton batting team but the oaks had a good bowling side and stranger things have happened. Opening the bowling was Big Mike (grunts like a man when bowling) and Noah (grunts like he’s barely hit puberty) who both bowled well and kept the run rate relatively low with Mike picking up 2 big wickets of the opener and number 3 batsman and finishing with brilliant figures of 2-19 of his 8. Mike bowled 8 overs on the bounce and seemed to keep getting better and better as his spell went on. Replacing Noah was Kallum who after a couple of overs found his spot and kept asking questions of the Alton batsmen. Kalum picked up a deserved wicket and on another day could have had a couple more. Nathan was on at the other end and much like Kal took a couple of overs to find his rhythm but once he did was quality, keeping the run rate down and keeping the Oaks in the game.
Oakley fight hard but fall short
After the 28th over with Alton dead on the run rate the game was still in the balance but probably Alton were favourites. Jack came onto bowl and did so incredibly well. He kept us in the game for ages picking up 2 wickets and keeping it tight. Alan also picked up a wicket but judging by his celebration doesn’t want me to mention so I won’t (well bowled Alan). Alton then completed the chase in the 37th over with Ethan Van der Linde finishing 71 not out. For a 15 year old he batted with maturity and blocked any noise out with wickets falling around him so we can give him plenty of credit for that. Still, despite us falling short, there are plenty of positives for us to take out of the game, much to do with the enthusiasm in the field and the discipline with our bowling. It was that good Big Mike wasn’t even angry! Bowl and field like that in games and we give ourselves every chance. If the batting can improve (which it will with more innings) we should be able to beat anyone in the league we are in.
Onto Donnington next week!