Batting collapse leaves door open for Oakham

After 2 early wickets, Gaz and Craig came together in a 50 partnership that threatened to demoralize Oakham's bowlers with Craig lifting 3 huge 6's into the houses straight. However Gaz lost his balance as Oakham appealed for an LBW, caught behind, stumping! that eventually was given by the square leg ump. From 99-2 to 140 all out was quite a collapse on a wicket that a touch difficult but not that difficult!

Only 4 batsmen reached double figures with Gaz 48 and Craig 30 making the loins share of the runs. In reply Cameron Flowers crashed it to all parts but Toony still recovering from jet lag soon had him running down the pitch and missing and young Will Blockley secured his first victim. A horrendous run out with both batsmen at the same end accounted for Vivek Naker and when Shukla holed out, caught by Sy at cow, Oakham started to wobble. Hayden joined the attack and bowled his best spell in first team cricket.

Skipper Richard Martin was all at sea against Hayden who was looking decidedly lively, and eventually fell brilliantly caught by Craig at mid on. Will Bell and Will Stuart-Jones struggled against Toony and Hayden as the maidens mounted the pressure, but a few edges and extras nudged them to their target as Countesthorpe's bowlers battled away. Hayden finished with figures of 1-9 from 7.2 and was very unlucky whilst Toony picked up 2 valuable wickets for 41

Although a disappointing result there was a glimpse into the future with debuts for Matt Sharpe Will Buckley and Will Blockley, hopefully back to winning ways next week