Asad Abbas
Fair Oak moved a commanding 38 points clear at the top of Southern Premier League Division 3 after a key seven-run win over Bashley (Rydal) seconds.
But it was the New Forest club, second in the table, who were left reflecting on what might have been after bungling a run chase.
Responding to Oak’s 212, they eased their way to 114-1 through Simon Morris (57) and James Underwood (42), but then allowed the visitors’ spinners to get a hold.
Sam Kennett, with 26 off 70 balls, oversaw the departures of Morris (below) and Underwood.
But Bashley seemed to muddle their batting order, with Oak’s spinners able to dictate terms to an inexperienced middle-order.
Wickets fell, three to Ross Stewart (3-42), with Rhys Oxley bowling a particularly mean spell of 1-20 off his ten overs at a crucial stage.
Earlier, Jason Eede (4-44) had Fair Oak on the hop at 39-3 and later 113-6 when Assad Abbas, pictured above, (56) held firm with a decisive half-century.
His fifty, coupled with late order support and a typically biff-bang 28 not out by Gregor McKenzie, got Fair Oak to 212 – a total which proved enough … just !
Pictures by Terry Nash.
But it was the New Forest club, second in the table, who were left reflecting on what might have been after bungling a run chase.
Responding to Oak’s 212, they eased their way to 114-1 through Simon Morris (57) and James Underwood (42), but then allowed the visitors’ spinners to get a hold.
Sam Kennett, with 26 off 70 balls, oversaw the departures of Morris (below) and Underwood.
But Bashley seemed to muddle their batting order, with Oak’s spinners able to dictate terms to an inexperienced middle-order.
Wickets fell, three to Ross Stewart (3-42), with Rhys Oxley bowling a particularly mean spell of 1-20 off his ten overs at a crucial stage.
Earlier, Jason Eede (4-44) had Fair Oak on the hop at 39-3 and later 113-6 when Assad Abbas, pictured above, (56) held firm with a decisive half-century.
His fifty, coupled with late order support and a typically biff-bang 28 not out by Gregor McKenzie, got Fair Oak to 212 – a total which proved enough … just !
Pictures by Terry Nash.
Simon Morris sweeps as Richard Featherstone lurks.
