Oaks Women Narrowly Beaten in Keenly Fought Contest
The Oaks travelled to Stratfield Turgis for an unfamiliar morning start in the sunshine. The two sides had a win apiece from last season’s match ups and calling a winner this time around was always going to be tough.
Put into bat first for the first time in any match this season the ladies were in unfamiliar territory. Over the course of their innings they rode their luck, with Stratfield dropping no fewer than 5 catches at various points, but still scored consistently and kept the scoreboard moving as they passed the 300 mark for the first time this season, eventually ending up on 302-1 off their 20. Special mention to Isla who competently saw off delivery after delivery on her debut and, despite not managing to get that elusive run, kept her wicket intact.
If Oakley’s approach was calm and measured, Stratfield were certainly a little more ‘Bazball’ in style. 5 wickets fell inside the first 8 overs, but a mixture of good running and some generous fielding kept the scores closely matched over by over. The final pair came to the crease needing just 10 to win but when Jude bagged her 3rd wicket in the 17th over the tension was mounting. The pressure eventually told in the 19th over when a couple of misfields allowed them ahead of the target. Lucy B threw everything at the last over but found the Stratfield batter content to block every ball and Oakley ultimately came up a few runs short.
Oakley: 302-1
Stratfield Turgis: 307-6
Stratfield Turgis win by 5 runs
Player of the Match: Lucy B