Hot Sumner Day as First XI Make it a Perfect 10
Dan Sumner stole the show with and unbeaten 115 and 5 wickets as the Oaks beat an excellent and spirited Wherwell side at Oakley Park to strengthen their promotion challenge.
The Oaks batted first and Wherwell were always in the game taking regular wickets in between partnerships that came and went with only Dan staying firm in what was turning into a remarkable, chance-less innings on a tricky wicket.
Although the highest other score was only 18 (Clive Welsman) there were several players who served a purpose as a partner to Dan, none less than the unbeaten James Bayliss, who was there to see him past his ton; a wonderful knock as the Oaks finished on 220.
Ton Up Sumner: Dan Hit a Marvellous Century
Wherwell started strongly, with Robbie Skeates looking in great nick as they made their way to 80 for no loss in good time. However, The Oaks kept cool and when Ronnie McEwan and Rob Wood removed them, the Oaks, slowly but surely took control.
Enter Dan, who not satisfied with a ton, took 5 wickets with great turn and control. Other wickets went to Potts and Alex Brundle and although it was very much the Dan Sumner show, he was, like any boys own hero, the first to point out that it was a great team performance.
It was one of those days when if Dan had done a turd, it would have come out made of 24 carat gold.
So the Oaks have come through two big tests without their captain and opener, Gerry Dique and their opening bowler, Tom Barnes. Last season they may not have had the strength in depth or character to come through unscathed but this group stick together and battle to the end.
And that my dear friends, is how you win championships.
All credit to Wherwell who competed well throughout and were graceful in defeat. They are a good bunch of lads who have done so well after rebuilding the club in the close season when it was close to shutting up shop.
Battling Two’s Lose Again
The Second XI lost for the 3rd consecutive week yesterday after a battling display against an excellent Kingsclere batting line up.
Batting first, Kingsclere motored along but were at one point restricted to 120 -5 before their excellent ‘tailenders’ swung hard, rode their luck a little with a series of half chances going down and bludgeoned their way to a commanding 311 on a bone dry pitch.
However, credit to The Oaks in the field as they did not wilt in the heat and kept going with with some reward by way of bowling points as George Lethaby (2) Will Bentley (2) Rav Kancharla (1) Ollie Rabley (1) Ian Bennett (1) got amongst the wickets with Will also getting a fine run-out.
Chasing the target, Ian Bennett, Jack Brundle and George Lethaby went cheaply but birthday boy, Steve Savage, fought gamely on before being so unlucky getting himself run-out on 47.
By this point The Oaks were fighting for the consolation of batting points and they were provided by the Rabley family who put on a gallant stand, scoring over 100 between them, with Nathan (58) Ollie (35 no) and Will (13 no) in on the action as Oakley passed the all important 200 mark.
Huge credit must also go to Rav Kancharla who stepped down the order to allow Will Rabley to complete the innings with his dad, Ollie; a very generous gesture.
Of course, there is no such thing as a good defeat but if there was, gaining 11 points for their efforts was just that and it was much deserved in a game where nothing fell for the lads against a good Kingsclere team.
Credit also to Kingsclere, they were a good bunch of lads and the only surprise is that they are not top of the league as they were by a long way the best team we have played this season, although they appear to play for a bit of fun rather than just hunting trophies, so fair play to them.
The Oaks must now pick themselves up an find a way of re-energising their season but the spirit they showed against the odds on baking afternoon, would suggest they can turn the corner and end the season strongly.
We move on to next week.