The mighty Oaks are back in action this weekend, looking to build on their good recent form where the First XI have won three from four and the Second’s have maintained their 100% record.
First XI Ready for Promotion Contenders
On paper, it is the First XI who face the toughest test of the weekend as they entertain Overton, who are embroiled in a three way race for the County North title, with a gnat’s whisker between them, Ramsdell and Liphook.
The First’s welcome back captain, Gerry Dique, Mark ‘sicknote’ Potter and Alex Brundle with emerging talent Brett King also coming in for some first team experience. On paper, it is a good looking side buoyant from a fine win last week but Overton carry a huge threat, with old friend and foe, Andy Galvin, bound to be giving some of his customary chirp whilst admiring the covers he helped us get from the ECB.
It should be a good local derby, competitive on the pitch and good fun afterwards in what is always an entertaining fixture, with Bob Lethaby’s record 9th wicket partnership with Steve Bown in 2012, living long in Bob’s memory, if no one else’s.
What a knock it was.
Second XI Travel to Sparsholt
The Two’s travel down to Sparsholt with a strong looking side despite missing Mike Askem, Mike Tiley and Alex Ogden, with Chris Morris, Nellie Warner, both Rabley’s and Bob Lethaby coming back into the side who will be facing an outfit scrambling for points at the lower end of the table.
With leaders St Mary’s, facing third placed Compton & Chandlers Ford tomorrow, an Oaks win could see them take over at the top of the league, whilst a defeat could see them dropping down to third if Compton beat the Church boys. The 10 point deduction is really showing up now and could well be a factor in a months time.
The Oaks relied on a big partnership between George Lethaby and Steve Savage last week and will be looking for other contributions down the order to avoid an upset that is always a likelihood when complacency sets in.
So without further ado, here are Saturday’s teams:
First XI: Dique, Sumner, Wood, Jones, Bayliss, Welsman, Bayliss, Compton-Bearne, A Brundle, Potter, King, Barnes
Second XI: Savage, J Brundle, Morris, Lethaby, Warner, Spalding, Sappumannage, N Rabley, O Rabley, Lethaby, J King
Good luck to both teams.
