The Oaks second string got off to a great start in the HCL on a cool/warm afternoon at Holyborne yesterday.
Batting first, the Oaks were in trouble early on, losing both George Lethaby (4) and Steve Savage (10) as the young Holyborne opener threatened serious damage with lift and pace on a well prepared track.
However, Dan Jones and Darrell Dimond got their heads down and punished some shaky Holyborne fielding with fantastic running between the wickets turning ones into two’s in a 100 + partnership that put the Oaks in control.
A 100 partnership put the Two’s in control at Holyborne
Darrell eventually holed out on 57 but DJ kept going and was heading for a ton until a tired shot whilst on 88 ended a marvellous, match winning innings.
Steve Bown was unlucky to arrive at the crease for the return of the Holyborne opener, going to one that lifted and and moved but thereafter a series of cameos pushed the score past 200, notably from Ian Bennett with an entertaining 24 and an excellent quick-fire 16 from youngster, Brett King.
The Oaks finished on a commanding 225-1 with Bob Lethaby (6 not out) and Deano James (1 not out) showing late class and grace with a plethora of dashing miscues.
Defending the total, the Oaks began with Steve Bown and Tom Barnes and were soon in control as Tom ripped into he heart of the Holyborne line-up with some really lively stuff smashing into the stumps in a devastating six for.
Further wickets went to Steve Bown, Dan Jones (2) and George Lethaby and credit must also go to Raj Niranthan who, but for a couple of dropped catches, would have got the wickets his 10 straight overs deserved.
Holyborne were all-out for 136 meaning the Oaks collected a maximum 24 points in a comfortable win, with all the wickets coming from bowling that clattered the stumps, with the Holyborne off stump enduring a particular bruising afternoon.
As usual, Holyborne were excellent hosts, providing a stupendous tea that left us elder chaps waddling, rather than running back on to the field of play, which is always a problem when fielding second, never more so than here.
The man of the match award is too tough to call and whilst it would normally go to DJ for his 88, Tom Barnes threw this into question with 6 wickets.
So, a shared award this for the two former Colts team mates.
Up the Oaks
#clivesbus