All conquering Under 15's win Flag in canterFor Photos of this great win click here The Oakleigh U15 team, in its first year in the competition, has blitzed the field to record an undefeated season and claim the premiership in the SDCCL Friday night competition.
After finishing on top with a record of 8 wins, 2 draws and no losses, the team strolled through the semi-against Notting Hill Brandon Park. NHBP won the toss and batted, and after a solid platform of 3-94 proceeded to lose 7-9 to be all out for 103. Wrecker Tom O'Sullivan captured 5-15 with his wily medium pacers snagging several batsmen driving uppishly into the covers, whilst big Brendan Rose picked up 2-10 with his quick stuff and Mark Shnider also spun out 2-9 with his bouncy leggies.. The Oaks reply was swift and lethal. Sam Jones And Tom looked untroubled, taking the score to 0-80 before both were retired, Sam for 50 and Tom 25. Brendan Rose and Dean Magee comfortably sealed the win, the Oaks rattling up 0-105 in 30 overs, winning by 10 wickets with 15 overs to spare.
This win set-up a Grand Final against Glen Waverley Cougars, who had looked our most formidable opposition through the home and away season. The Oaks batted first, reasoning that runs on the board in a Grand Final are valuable, depsite the lush and in some parts wet outfield from recent rain. Tight bowling from GWC saw the Oaks at 0-15 after 10, but then Sam Jones broke free and raced to his 4th consecutive 50 as the Oaks posted 1-89 at drinks from 27 overs. Tom O'Suillvan was the man out for a patient 17. Dean Magee was dismissed for only the 2nd time this year soon after, and the GWC boys tightened the noose. Only Brendan Rose with 21 could pierce the field and the Oaks struggled for the first time this year. free strokers Mark Shnider and David Graan falling to loose shots, and when Masi Akbari followed, the Oaks had slumped to 7-132 with just 3 overs left. Marc King(21), benefitting from several fielding lapses by GWC, smashed 2 6s and a 4 in the 43rd over to re-ignite the run chase. More 'zacs' followed from Alex Jones (18no) and no 11 Waruna Perera (8no from 2 balls), and as the final ball sailed into the creek from W's slashing blade, the Oaks had belted 44 off the last 3 overs to finish on a very respectable 8-176.
The defence of this formidable total started shakily, with GWC gun Matt Foschini taking 11 off the first 3 overs. A dropped chance at slip looked to be costly, but when Foschini clipped Alex Jones (5 overs 2 maidens 2 for 3) straight to the safe hands of Dean Magee at square leg, the opposition crowd was silenced. Amazingly, this 1 wicket seemed to sap the confidence of the GWC players, and they were never in the hunt. Rob Handel disturbed the furniture of another GWC top order player and the Oaks moved in for the kill. Wickets followed quickly, and when the 5th wicket fell to Tom O'Sullivan(5-2-4-14) , the score was 5-29 off 20 overs and the game was finished as a contest. Mark Shnider took an easy caught and bowled and soon after Masi Akbari claimed the last wicket as GWC were all out for 58, handing the Oaks the premiership by a massive 118 runs. Man of the match Alex Jones with his 18no and 2 top order wickets was ably assisted by joint players of the finals Tom O'Sulivan and Sam Jones.
So the curtain came down on a fantastic season of junior cricket at Oakleigh. Pizza and soft drink were consumed back in the main rooms as the boys sang the OCC song for the first time (hopefully of many). Several of our senior U15 boys indicated a desire to play seniors at Oakleigh next year, and this brings a smile to the face of the junior co-ordinator as the junior program looks to reap its first rewards.
So until 2006/07,
Go Oaks
Neil Croft
U15 coach and junior co-ordinator
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