So, another weekend and another plethora of fixtures across the area as the temperature slips into mid-autumn mode and the central heating systems spontaneously fire up. It’s going to dry though, or so I am told, so at least we will be playing, albeit in a nagging northerly airflow.
First XI
The First XI look to keep on the road to Vector glory when they travel to Overton for the battle of the O’s. The last game was nicely poised at 140 for 5 before rain ruined the day, so we can only hope for better weather on the Overton minefield, where anything over a 100 could seal victory.
There are two new faces in the team, with Fawad Amin moving up from the Two’s and youngster Hugh Again, making his First Team debut. Otherwise it’s as you were, with James Bayliss and Will Cheyney opening and in form Dan Sumner, coming in at three.
The Oaks will be looking to lessen their reliance on Sumner and the lad they call NSC, with any scores in double figures likely to be useful if the pitch plays as normal. Should be a good game and one the boys need to win if they are going to keep the open top bus tour, dream alive.
Team: Cheyney, Baylis, Sumner, NSC, G Lethaby, A Brundle, Bennett, N Rabley, Again, Fawad, J Carpenter.
Second XI
The Two’s have what looks a great team on paper for the visit of Donnington. I love saying that every week, because it means absolutely nothing. Still, I reckon one of these weeks it is all going to click, and they are going to post 400 or even more. Something tells me that this is the week; it’s just a hunch.
Just look at the team and tell me it doesn’t look like a well-oiled run machine. Add to that the famous duo of Ravi and Avi (new single out soon) spearheading the attack, Donnington will be lucky to hit double figures. This one promises to be one of the great days in our long and sort of illustrious history.
Team: Bown, M Wood, O Rabley, W Rabley, DJ, T Jeff, Savage, C Welsman, Montgomery, Avi, Ravi.
Hang on, I’m just going to get the third team. It’s on a Whatsapp group somewhere, apparently……………. Right, got it, I think.
This was supposed to be a home game, but Dan got a special offer from Basingstoke to play on their main pitch and by golly, he took it. As usual, it is an eclectic team that I have come to call the Rear guards. I accidentally called them the retards the other week, but the truth is, I had named them for their rear-guard action, not because they were village simpletons (retards). I hope this clears the matter up and I can move swiftly on without it being mentioned again.
Dan had far too many players, so he picked his team based on some players getting a game on Sunday being left out. Notice he is playing though, despite not bothering to play for a fortnight due to be on holiday. Piss poor effort that.
Team: N Beckell, D Beckell, D Bowers, N Bishop, P Carpenter, Coulter, T McEwan, De Vos, Tucknott, James, R Hamilton.
I’m getting tired now and I also have another job that pays my bills and this one doesn’t, so I shall skip along a bit lively.
Sunday v Old Basing
Team: D Beckell, W Rabley, N Beckell, Mad Alan, H Hamilton, A Hamilton, J Carpenter, Clift, Ravi, BT, H Tucknott
Monday is the Big Rich game, where I traditionally beat a team put out by Woody. It’s a day of laughs, fun frolics and Deano asking everyone if their football club has signed anyone in the close season. If you like watching some of the most preposterous ways of getting out, this is the day for you; you will not stop chortling as the pavilion rocks with laughter when the Chairman, Bob, delivers a speech.
My Team: Me, AB, DJ, Sumner, Bowers, T Jeff, A Triner, Fox, George, Cheyney, Booth
Woodies Team: Woody…don’t know the rest, sorry….oh hang on, here we go. Bown, Kevin B, Gav, Mike, Jack, Gaz Kit, Deano, Tetty B Kit, Bennett, Wiltshire
So, despite it feeling like October, I reckon after today’s deluge, it might well stay dry. This means no fewer than five games of cricket taking place and we still had major selection issues. I didn’t make myself available on Saturday or Sunday, just so everyone else could play. It’s that sort of selfless attitude from the very top, that makes us the best cricket club in Oakley.
Vroom, vroom, jumpers on and to quote Abba, ‘Mama, here we go again, oh my, how can we resist it…’