A Dead Rubber with a Bit of Spice
The Oaks welcomed Chawton to Oakley Park on yet another balmy Saturday, looking for a third consecutive win. Chawton, meanwhile, arrived with revenge on their minds after a spectacular collapse in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Dream Start for the Oaks
Openers Alex Brundle and Michael Wood gave the home side the perfect platform, mixing watchfulness with calculated aggression. Runs flowed, partnerships blossomed, and the scoreboard ticked along nicely to 79-0. Things looked very promising indeed.
Cue the Collapse
And then it happened – the dreaded “typical (insert club name here) collapse,” the sort every club knows too well. Over at Hurstbourne Priors, the 2s were putting in their own effort at self-destruction, but the 1s weren’t about to be outdone. Wickets tumbled in binary fashion, and within a blink, The Oaks had lost 10 for just 53 runs.
After Woody (46) and AB (26) departed, only Paddy (11) and Kunal (19) reached double figures in the carnage. The damage was inflicted chiefly by Sam Charlton, who tore through the order with 6-30, and Cameron Wheatcroft, who chipped in with 4-33 – a name straight out of the Sheffield Shield, but alas, very real in Oakley.
Chawton in Control
If there was to be any hope of turning the tables, The Oaks needed to dismiss Charlton quickly. Everyone knows he’s the danger man, and once he’s away, the game usually follows suit. Despite some typically reliable bowling from Stef Kaltner, Charlton settled in comfortably.
Dan Jones produced a sharp run-out and youngster Archie Taylor claimed a deserved wicket, but this was never going to be one of the dramatic Oakley-Chawton contests of old. Charlton finished unbeaten on 75, completing a fine all-round display and securing victory for Chawton with 15 overs still in the bank.
Looking Ahead
For The Oaks, this was a day to forget. Injuries and player departures have made 2025 a tough year, but there is real encouragement to be taken. Young players continue to develop, and the prospect of new signings will strengthen the side next season.
The Oaks go into their final 2026 pre-season game next week determined to create a pathway to reset, regroup, and come back stronger.
Post-Match Spirit
If the cricket didn’t quite sparkle, the company certainly did. Chawton proved a good bunch, sticking around for a few beers afterwards and sharing plenty of laughs with the Oakley lads. The result might not have gone our way, but the spirit of village cricket certainly did.