Teenage trio Monty McKenzie, Lewis Goodyear and Tom Clark were the leading lights as Fair Oak won their Southern Premier Division 2 local derby at Sparsholt by three wickets.
Sparsholt made a great start. Will Berrill (25) and shared in an opening partnership of 54 with Tom Berzins, who batted almost to the end of the innings for a fine 124, containing three sixes and 13 fours.
But after that initial stand, slow left-armer Goodyear (3-38) and offie McKenzie (3-42) steadily worked their way through the Sparsholt batting, the innings dipping from 93-1 to 104-5.
Berzins held firm and with Greg Whiting (25) and Rob Foy (27) repaired the damage, but the middle-order collapse (four wickets for 11 runs) was to prove crucial as Sparsholt closed 240-8.
Sparsholt made a great start. Will Berrill (25) and shared in an opening partnership of 54 with Tom Berzins, who batted almost to the end of the innings for a fine 124, containing three sixes and 13 fours.
But after that initial stand, slow left-armer Goodyear (3-38) and offie McKenzie (3-42) steadily worked their way through the Sparsholt batting, the innings dipping from 93-1 to 104-5.
Berzins held firm and with Greg Whiting (25) and Rob Foy (27) repaired the damage, but the middle-order collapse (four wickets for 11 runs) was to prove crucial as Sparsholt closed 240-8.
Fair Oak also built solidly. Harry Reed made 36 of a first-wicket stand of 83 with Monty McKenzie, who went on to register 61 runs. Unlike their opposite numbers, the Oaks middle order also excelled with Will Hughes scoring 35 before becoming one of three victims for Foy (3-51).
Clark, batting at five, continued untroubled and stroked his way to 56 not out. Wickets started to fall, but too late for the hosts. Gregor McKenzie smashed a couple of huge sixes in his nine-ball 19, and Fair Oak overhauled their target at 244 for 7 with nine deliveries unused.
Clark, batting at five, continued untroubled and stroked his way to 56 not out. Wickets started to fall, but too late for the hosts. Gregor McKenzie smashed a couple of huge sixes in his nine-ball 19, and Fair Oak overhauled their target at 244 for 7 with nine deliveries unused.