Oakley U9s Match reports/Season update from Paddy Saines
First up was a home tie against an experienced Finchampstead side who won the toss, batted first, and scored a decent 308/6 in their 16 overs. With 5-year-old Monty taking 2/6 in his first-ever match and 6-year-old Cyrus 1/12 in his. Both youngsters have to come through the All-Stars program. Other wickets were taken by Dan S., Finley, and Jack.
In reply, Oakley scored 213 with runs coming from Dan S., Jack, and Finley.
A sharp learning curve for the first game, where running between the wickets would have made Geoffrey Boycott and Inzamam Ul-Haq proud.
The next adventure for the fledgling U9s was a Thursday jaunt up to a wet, and potentially thundery, Eversley. Oakley lost the toss and was put into the field, restricting the hosts to 293/7 with first club wickets for Hrishant, Daniel T., and Reuben. Dan S. and Finley contributed wickets in an excellent fielding display.
Oakley’s innings was a much improved, circumspect display. The highlights included a fantastic 25-run partnership between Hrishant and Dan S., although this entertaining partnership was not enough to see the lad’s home as they were limited to 221/6.
A sunny Friday and a wonderfully busy Oakley Park hosted Alton. Oakley, batting first, posted a battling 237/8. The Alton reply was a very good 337/3. Fielding highlights included figures of 1/5 for Monty and 1/1 for Jack.
A brief day off and a quick turnaround for an early Sunday morning trip up the M3 to Cove.
With Oakley bowling first, Cove scored an imposing 337/3. Dan S. took 2 wickets and the other a fantastic run out by Hrishant, which capped a superb individual fielding display.
Oakley’s reply was a phenomenal 288/2. Although falling short, losing only two wickets, and only having 7 players all the boys batted brilliantly, displaying the importance of valuing one’s wicket.
On another beautiful Friday evening, we welcomed Basingstoke to Oakley Park. The first “derby” of the season saw Oakley win the toss and bat first. Setting a decent score of 266 and only losing 5 wickets, Basingstoke’s reply was limited by Dan S. with figures of 3/5, including 2 in 2 balls, and another excellent and tight bowling display by Jack with figures of 1/3! In what was looking likely to be Oakley’s first win of the season the final Basingstoke pair saw them home with 297/7. Again, another superb fielding performance with 3 run-outs.