CRICKET SLIDESHOW: Excellent Oakfield pushing for top three finish

Warwickshire Cricket League Division 4

Massey Ferguson 1st XI v

Oakfield 1st XI

Oakfield travelled to Coventry to take on Massey knowing another victory was vital to maintain their slim hopes of a top-two finish.

After heavy overnight rain Oakfield skipper Richard Burnett didn’t hesitate to field first upon winning the toss.

This immediately began to pay dividends with Chris Smith and Dave Odwell making early inroads.

The pair bowled unchanged for 20 overs to decimate the hosts batting, Odwell picking up 5-24 and Smith 2-14 to set Oakfield up for a good performance in the field.

Matt Shipman continued his bright start to his first XI career, taking 3-16 from his 7 overs as Oakfield’s three seamers dismissed Massey for just 64, the best bowling performance in the Warwickshire League on Saturday.

With the weather forecast indifferent, Oakfield set about the chase aggressively with Rob Harris and Richard Burnett opening the batting.

The pair batted without alarm and saw Oakfield to a comprehensive 10 wicket victory inside 10 overs, skipper Burnett making 41 not out and vice-captain Harris unbeaten on 20.

This was an excellent performance against a side who have shown some improved form recently, and sets Oakfield up for a final push for a top three finish.

Oakfield have a slim chance of finishing runners-up but will be realistically hoping to finish third and hope this is enough to secure promotion for next season.

Warwickshire League

Division 9 East

Oakfield 2nd XI v

Hunningham 2nd XI

Oakfield continued where they left off last week in a high-scoring game at home on Saturday.

Hunningham won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to field first.

After an early breakthrough, this proved to be the wrong decision as skipper Jonny Abbott and Nick Gristwood set about the visitors’ bowling.

For the second week running a 200-run partnership ensued for the second wicket with two players making centuries.

Both Abbott and Gristwood made 131 before being dismissed as Oakfield racked up 335-3 from 42 overs before declaring.

In response the combination of an excellent wicket, some good batting, and a lack of bowling options for the hosts meant victory was never realistic.

The visitors settled for a losing draw on 209-3 from 44 overs, Shozab Mohammed picking up one wicket and veteran spinner Bryan Acford two.

Sunday Friendly

Norton Lindsey v Oakfield

Oakfield travelled to picturesque Norton Lindsey for what is always a popular friendly for Oakfield’s players.

Batting first, Oakfield could only reach 146 all out, with a number of players getting starts but not making a key contribution.

Chris Goodwin top scored with 30 and was supported by Jonny Abbot (25) and Dan Pfadenheuer (23).

In response, Oakfield’s Chris Smith and brothers Dan and Tom Marshall put Oakfield on top after tea. Smith picked up 1-21 with fellow opener Dan Marshall taking 1-6 to put Oakfield in the driving seat.

Tom Marshall replaced his brother and had picked up 2-6 to leave Norton Lindsey 36-4 when the heavens opened and the match was abandoned.