Cricket made a welcome return on Friday evening as Sevenoaks Vine’s e Old Oaks played Sevenoaks Rugby Club in an entertaining 18 over game at the.
The home team [the cricket cub] won the toss and elected to bat, and got off to a flying start with James Samworth striking the ball to all parts of the ground and retiring after a rapid 25. Sam Harvey (25NO) then took up where he left off and the Old Oaks were 87-0 off the first 10. The pace slowed a bit as the Old Oaks skipper struggled with timing but eventually got to 24 NO and the Old Oaks finished on 154 for 3 off their 18 overs.
The Rugby Club were undaunted by this target and their openers Curnow and Rolfe struck the ball well before both retiring at 25. The former Sevenoaks Rugby Club 1st team hooker Damian Manning, on debut for the Old Oaks, bowled a delightful spell of left arm mystery spin taking 4 wickets, which tipped the game in the Old Oaks favour. Hebdon kept the Rugby club in it with a useful 25 coming in at 9, leaving the Rugby Club requiring 18 off the last over, to be bowled by Steve Brown. Some rash decision making from the batsmen led to 2 run outs in 2 balls, surely an Old Oaks first, and in the end the Old Oaks won by 10 runs.
It was a competitive game played in great spirit. The Rugby club were an excellent opponent for the Old Oaks, bringing a large crowd of supporters who drank the bar dry. It looks ominous as the two will play again in the Sevenoaks Smash in a few weeks time.
