The Oaks 3rd XI made the short trip to take on Overton 3s ‘on top of the hill’ on Saturday, in buoyant mood following an excellent win the previous week. With availability good, captain Dan made only two changes, with spinner Alex Holman and youngster Archie Taylor coming into the side.
A Rainy Start and a Wobbly Toss
Following some light rain that affected the pre-match warm-ups, the Oaks lost the toss and were invited to bat first. Looking to build on their fine opening stand the week before, regular opening partners Tall Jeff and Dan made their way to the middle.
From the off, Jeff looked in confident mood, taking advantage of some short-pitched deliveries from the Overton opening bowlers. At the other end, Dan was having to contend with a mix of bowling—ranging from head-high full tosses to full-pitched away swing. It was the latter that accounted for Dan’s wicket in the fourth over, an excellent delivery knocking back his off stump.
Tall Batting, Tall Tales
Kris joined Jeff at the wicket, forming possibly the tallest batting partnership in Hampshire (might be, might not—this, after all, is a completely useless, made-up stat). Kris confidently played his first delivery into the hands of the cover fielder, who juggled and kindly dropped the ball at the third attempt.
What followed was far more sensible: Jeff looking to free his arms when he could, Kris rotating the strike, and the Oaks benefitting from some loose bowling that flattered the extras column. Having put on a stand of 80, umpire Savage indicated it was time for Kris to go—a decision he calmly accepted.
Century for Jeff and a Growing Partnership
Harrison came and quickly went, allowing Tom to join Jeff, who continued to look assured at the crease. Jeff passed 50 playing sensible cricket, mixing singles with big shots when the bowling allowed.
Tom’s timing started to improve, providing the perfect partner for Tall Jeff. Jeff moved through the not-so-nervous 90s with ease, bringing up his excellent century at a run a ball with another boundary. In total, Jeff hit seventeen fours and one six in his innings, eventually departing to a full-pitched delivery from the Overton opener. The partnership with Tom was worth around 110. This is written with an element of doubt, as by this time Alex—on Play-Cricket duties—was starting to prove that not all youngsters are good with technology.
By the time Jeff was out, Tom had started to suffer with a calf strain, being run out on the penultimate ball of the innings. This brought a smiling Savage to the crease to stand at the non-striker’s end for the final delivery, scrambling a well-run two with Lil. The Oaks innings ended on 212–5.
Tight Start from the Young Guns
The Oaks began their bowling efforts with Harrison running up the hill, bowling full with a hint of movement, and Archie charging in with good pace. While there were no real chances in the first ten overs, it was great to watch two Oaks youngsters keep things tight. Harrison in particular was excellent, going for only six runs in his first five overs. Archie’s pace and movement caused some trouble for the Overton openers—and for wicketkeeper Savage, who had to take a few paces back to avoid getting his gumshield rattled.
After ten overs, Overton had scored 30 for no loss. Knowing they needed to up their run rate, the openers started to take some chances, playing more aggressive shots against the bowling of Lil and Prashanth. It was Lil who made the breakthrough just before drinks, with an LBW decision going his way.
Jeff Returns to Centre Stage
By this time, Dan had invited Jeff to have a bowl, and just after the drinks break Jeff took his first wicket—an exceptional one-handed caught and bowled. It was flying. Scenes. The Overton batter trudged off, to be replaced by their young wicketkeeper. Two overs later, he too was walking off, undone by another fine Triner delivery, this time bowled.
Jeff couldn’t add a five-for to his batting heroics, could he? Well, no. Give the bloke a break—he was knackered. Having batted for almost 40 overs, Jeff bowled his eight-over spell straight through. A monumental effort.
Spin Takes Over
Having also bowled his spell without taking a break, Lil was replaced by Alex Holman, with Dan deciding spin was required. At this point, Alex removed the cap he had been wearing since arriving at the ground, revealing a recent short haircut—apparently a forfeit for coming last in a fantasy Premier League. Silly boy.
Supported by some excellent fielding, Alex took pace off the ball and found some turn, putting pressure on the Overton batters. He claimed his first wicket in his third over, a further two in his fourth, and completed his second Oaks five-for in his seventh.
A Well-Earned Win
The Oaks won by 23 runs, with Jeff and Alex the undoubted stars on the day. However, the spirit was excellent throughout the team, and the fielding—particularly after the drinks break—was of a very good standard.
Two wins from two sees the 3s now firmly in mid-table, with a match against third-place Basingstoke 5ths next weekend.