Charlie Gwynn acknowledges a standing ovation from the SD spaced Lapstone Park crowd as he leaves the field with a CB 156 not out. Ross Stewart photo.
Charlie Gwynn struck a career-best 157 not out as Fair Oak ran up a massive 299-6 before inflicting a crushing 159-run defeat on Trojans at Lapstone Park.
The win cemented Oaks’ second place position behind Bashley (Rydal) II in the Southern Premier League Division 2/3 log, but being unable to take any more than five Trojans wickets has left them four points adrift of the New Forest club with two matches to play.
Two early wickets by Faisal Rahim (2-28) had Fair Oak wobbling at 10-2, but a partnership of 62 between Gwynn and Ed Kemp (21) hauled them out of immediate trouble.
Max Watson (20) helped the score to 143-4, but after that it was pure carnage as Rhys Oxley smacked 73 (including six sixes) off just 33 balls in a fifth-wicket stand of 118 with his skipper. Gwynn finished on 157 not out – his maiden adult century – which included seven sixes and 13 fours. All the Trojans bowlers – Rahim excepted – came in for some rough treatment, the normally economic Jamie Donaldson going for 82 off seven overs.
A victory target of 300 in 40 overs always looked to be beyond Trojans’ reach, and the visitors opted for caution rather than a do-or-die run chase. Ollie Kelly (27) and Ed Boyd (40) took them to 71 before the first wicket fell, while Syed Agha added 30 before having to retire hurt.
After that none of the Trojans batsmen established themselves, leg-spinner Rufus Bullough taking the bowling honours with 2-18. The buoyant Gwynn chipped in with a late wicket to crown an excellent day as Trojans closed on 140 for 5.
The win cemented Oaks’ second place position behind Bashley (Rydal) II in the Southern Premier League Division 2/3 log, but being unable to take any more than five Trojans wickets has left them four points adrift of the New Forest club with two matches to play.
Two early wickets by Faisal Rahim (2-28) had Fair Oak wobbling at 10-2, but a partnership of 62 between Gwynn and Ed Kemp (21) hauled them out of immediate trouble.
Max Watson (20) helped the score to 143-4, but after that it was pure carnage as Rhys Oxley smacked 73 (including six sixes) off just 33 balls in a fifth-wicket stand of 118 with his skipper. Gwynn finished on 157 not out – his maiden adult century – which included seven sixes and 13 fours. All the Trojans bowlers – Rahim excepted – came in for some rough treatment, the normally economic Jamie Donaldson going for 82 off seven overs.
A victory target of 300 in 40 overs always looked to be beyond Trojans’ reach, and the visitors opted for caution rather than a do-or-die run chase. Ollie Kelly (27) and Ed Boyd (40) took them to 71 before the first wicket fell, while Syed Agha added 30 before having to retire hurt.
After that none of the Trojans batsmen established themselves, leg-spinner Rufus Bullough taking the bowling honours with 2-18. The buoyant Gwynn chipped in with a late wicket to crown an excellent day as Trojans closed on 140 for 5.
