The Oaks rolled into St Mary Bourne yesterday looking to kick start the season in style, and by the end of the afternoon they had done exactly that with a dominant all round display in this relegated versus promoted showdown in the May sunshine.
With both sides hoping to make an early season statement, there was plenty of intrigue before a ball had even been bowled. By sunset, though, there was little doubt about who had laid down the early marker.
Woody and Nathan Build the Platform
Batting first, Oakley made a slightly jittery start. Paddy Saines departed early and Woody looked a touch scratchy, giving the hosts plenty of encouragement.
Then came the moment that changed the game.
Woody was shelled on single figures and immediately made SMB pay, crunching the very next ball to the boundary. Bowlers everywhere know that feeling. One second you should have a wicket, the next the scoreboard is rattling along. Vomit inducing stuff.
From there, Woody and Nathan settled beautifully. Boundaries flowed regularly as the pair began to dominate with some classy stroke-play. Woody launched one glorious drive straight into the sightscreen while Nathan produced an on drive so elegant it reportedly left teammates applauding and your correspondent already preparing to hear about it for the next 20 years. Fair play, it was sumptuous.
Both men cruised past fifty in a superb stand worth 141 before a tiring Woody finally fell to Johnson for a classy 67. A good knock and a real confidence booster for the season ahead.
Will Arrives and Chaos Follows
If there is one thing Will Cheyney enjoys, it is arriving at the crease with a tiring bowling attack and a scoreboard already ticking ominously.
After a slightly chaotic start featuring a few agricultural moments, Will found his groove and started launching into anything loose. His entertaining 55 from just 48 balls swung the game decisively in The Oaks’ favour as boundaries rained down and the visitors tightened their grip on proceedings.
At the other end, Nathan was quietly constructing a magnificent debut innings. Calm, composed and completely in control, he looked nailed on for a century. Sadly, cricket can be a cruel mistress, even in good times. On 98, Nathan went a fraction too early and Johnson struck again. Bugger.
It was not quite the fairy tale finish, but it was still a sensational knock and exactly the sort of innings The Oaks have been craving. Early days, but the Nathan and Woody partnership already looks like one opponents may grow to fear.
Late Fireworks Push Oaks Towards 300
With the platform built, the middle and lower order were given full licence to swing hard. Wickets fell in pursuit of quick runs, but lively cameos from Alex Brundle with 16 and Harry Tucknott with 20 kept the scoreboard racing along as The Oaks finished on a formidable 293-9.
That, as they say, is what is known as scoreboard pressure.
Tucknott and Robinson Run Riot
Chasing nearly 300, St Mary Bourne needed a flyer and, to be fair, they started brightly. Ahl and White played positively and moved the score into the 20s without alarm. Then came the breakthrough.
White fell to a sharp Neil Robinson catch at point off the bowling of Harry Tucknott and from there the game rapidly slipped away from the hosts.
Eric Ahl battled gamely for 21 before falling to the exact same combination, and after that wickets tumbled regularly. A few handy lower order cameos prevented the scorecard from becoming too brutal, but this quickly became the Harry and Neil show.
Neil was outstanding, claiming a superb five wicket haul, while Tucknott grabbed four wickets of his own as the youngster continues to grow in stature at the heart of the side. Dan Jones also entered the action and produced perhaps the most efficient spell of the afternoon. One ball, one wicket. Job done.
Oaks Looking Like a Proper Side Again
Naturally, spirits were high afterwards as both teams gathered at the village pub. For The Oaks, this felt like more than just a win. It felt like a reminder that after a few rebuilding seasons, they are becoming a very good side again.
Players like DJ, Woody, Will, Paddy, and AB have stuck around through periods of transition and are now reaping the rewards of that experience. Youngsters Archie and Harry continue to improve week by week, while the know how of Neil, Nathan and Stef gives the side balance and calmness.
There will undoubtedly be sterner tests to come, but this was an excellent start.
Credit to St Mary Bourne
A final word for St Mary Bourne.
They are a young, improving side who deserve plenty of credit for the progress they have made over recent years. A few seasons ago they looked in danger of folding altogether, so to now be competing at this level is an achievement in itself.
This match showed them that the jump from Division 5 to Division 4 is a serious one. The difference in fielding organisation and game management between the sides was noticeable and ultimately proved decisive.
The encouraging part is that those things can absolutely be learned. The raw ingredients are there. They can bat, they can bowl, and they clearly play the game in the right spirit. Most importantly, they are a good bunch, and it was great to share a beer with them afterwards.
Onwards we travel.
