Early season wins are a great way of setting up a long season, putting you in the box seat to contend for finals after Christmas when every win seems so vital. With this firmly in mind, Oakleigh cricket club’s 4 senior teams took to the field unbeaten for Rd 3 one-day action against long time rivals Box Hill looking to keep the run of wins going. When the dust settled, 3 of our 4 sides still remained undefeated, the 3rds the only casualty after a narrow loss. Highlights for the day included a powerful double by former Subbies team of the year member Mick Splatt in the 1s, who blasted a quickfire 28 to accelerate us to a nice total of 151 from 32 overs in a reduced game, then demolished Box Hill’s top order with 5-22 in a 3 vote performance. The 2nds chased down a formidable 192 from Box Hill thanks to a whirlwind 69no from young gun Will Taylor, supported by inform Rob “Doogie” Howes with 56. A very young 3s outfit suffered only their 2nd loss in the last 30 games, going down narrowly, despite a 4fer from young Dylan Brambleby, while the 4s strolled to victory on the back of another 4fa from the old fox Al Stamps. Next week we take on Brighton in all 4 grades in another big fixture.

1st XI 6-151 (Joly 32, Mick 28, Junior 25) d Box Hill 99 (Mick 5-22 Junior 2fer Willo 2fer)

This was the 1s best performance of the year so far, comprehensively accounting for Box Hill despite being seriously impeded by rain. Batting first, we were well placed at 3-74 off 24 overs with both Joly and Junior well set when rain forced the players off the ground. When we retuned, we had only 8 more overs to bat severely limiting our chances to accelerate the score. Enter Mick Splatt with a brutal 28 from 17 balls as we managed a very handy 77 off those 8 overs, posting an uber-competitive 6-151 and turning the screws on Box Hill. When it was their turn to bat, they had no answer to Mick’s pace and bounce in his opening spell, falling to 5-21 and never recovering. Remarkably, Mick had a wicket in each of his first 5 overs as the 1s cruised to a solid win, remaining one of just 3 unbeaten teams.

2s 6-173 (Will 69no Doogie 56) d Box Hill 7-192 (Crofty 2fer)

The unusual scoreline reflects another game affected by rain. Bowling first, we reduced Box Hill to 5-63 off 25 overs before Box Hill mounted a recovery which saw our efforts wilt somewhat under pressure. Their final score of 7-191 owed 27 to wides, a number which must be reduced in future. We raced to 0-11 off just 1.4 overs before rain struck again. As it does, the rain interruption always disadvantages the side batting at that time. When this game resumed, 12 overs had been wiped off, but only 20 from the target, which became 171. At 2-24 off 12. things looked gloomy. Doogie picked up the tempo, and when Wil joined him 112 runs were needed off just 15 overs, a big task. These two put on a brisk 52, but when Doogie fell, 57 were still needed from 6 overs. This became 50 from 5 and still 39 from 3 when the crucial 31st over began. Timing his attack perfectly, Wil picked out the short boundary and blasted 2 6s as 23 came from the over to change the course of the game. Eventually, we won with 4 balls to spare thanks to Will’s blistering 69no from just 56 balls. A great win by the 2s against the odds, but still work to be done with the ball and in the field, despite being top of the ladder as the only team with 3 straight wins..

3s 7-100 lost to Box Hill 8-101 (Dylan 4-15)

A very youthful 3s team hosted a strong Box Hill outfit at Scammell and just could not get going with the bat first up. Missing the in-form Jimmy Benn, much was left to Doc, but after his twin tons to start the year he could not three-peat, and the innings never really got going. Xtras top scored with 23!!!! Our effort with the ball was far better, bowling straight and reaping the rewards. Young Dylans 6 overs reaped 4-15, but as the rules enforce, he had to be taken off and this had a bearing on the game. We managed to reduce Box Hill to 8-60 and looked every chance to win. But defending just 100, it only takes 1 partnership and that’s exactly what happened, Box Hill getting over the line with a 9th wicket stand of 41. Doc has much to work with in this team and the future looks bright.

4s 2-104 (Dave 35no WillU 32) d Box Hill 101 (FOS 4-14, Nicho 2fer)
As comprehensive a win as you could see from the 4s, rolling Box Hill for 101 thanks to Al’s millionth 4fer for the club and a handy 2fer from Nicho. Then Will Uren and Dave Labrooy put on 52 for the first wicket in quick time to just about ice the game. Dave carried his bat for a neat 35no as part of an allround team performance that would have pleased skipper Daz.