Fair Oak began their Southern Premier Division 2 campaign with a fine bowling display, but couldn’t replicate the feat with the bat and eventually lost by 28 runs to relegated Hambledon.

Strike pair Ben Smith (2 for 32) and James Gradwell (2 for 17) had the visitors in the mire at 32 for 4. But the visiting side were steered into calmer waters by a stand of 71 between fifth-wicket pair Henry Glanfield (46) and Spencer le Clercq (22). The Oaks spinners then took charge, Rhys Oxley taking 3 for 28 and Lewis Goodyear 3 for 22, Hambledon crumbling to a below-par 128 all out.

But Oaks never really got going with the bat. Glanfield underlined his importance to Hambledon with for 4 for 15 while fledgling Fair Oak captain Harry Reed, opening the innings, made a watchful 22 of the first 60 runs before being seventh out. Matt White carried on the resistance and finished unbeaten on 30, but of the rest only last man Lewis Goodyear made it into double figures. The tenth-wicket pair put on 31 before the innings ended at 100 not out. James Restell (2 for 20) and Ollie Bembridge (2 for 18) did well with the ball for Hambledon.

Fair Oak have the chance to make amends next Saturday when they host Gosport Borough, who are also looking for a first win of the season.

Fair Oak’s 2nd XI made the trip to Steep to begin their Hampshire League Division 2 season. The hosts made a steady start through openers Dale Collins (22) and Dean Knight (31), but Oaks rang the changes with their attack, using eight different bowlers. That paid dividends as Steep were pegged back. Oaks skipper Jake Salmon spun out four batters for 18, while Sriram Yegnasubramanian bagged two; the home side were bowled out for 162.

Fair Oak opener Dan Wheble started well, going on to 31 before falling to Steep spinner Oscar Hientzsch (2 for 26). At four down for fifty the visitors were in trouble, but Richard Featherstone used all his determination and experience to pilot Oaks to a winning 163 for 5. He finished unbeaten on 78 and was given good support by Nick Bass (22no) as the visitors won the game with six overs to spare.

At a typically immaculate Botley Rec Fair Oak 3rd XI were disappointed to begin 2024 with a Hampshire Division 4 South defeat at the hands of Trojans II. Oaks gave themselves a chance by amassing 160 all out, keeper-batsman Nick Dempsey leading the way with 30 while James Featherstone added 25 and Mitch le Tissier 22. Trojans pair Dan Tavender and Ben Manser claimed two scalps apiece.

Featherstone nipped out two of the Trojans top order, including Touqeer Ahmed for 41. But a rapid undefeated 39 from Zaker Khan, alongside opener Theo Grove’s 56 not out, was enough to give Trojans victory. They took less than 30 overs to reach 164 for 2 and maximum points.