A visit to recently-promoted Sway proved a step too far for Fair Oak CC's 1st XI in Southern Premier Division 2 on Saturday.  After restricting the hosts to 161 for 9 from their 50-over allocation, Oaks crumbled to 90 all out and a heavy defeat.

Sway’s progress with the bat was steady but unspectacular.  Six of their batters reached double figures, the highlights being 31 from opener John Walter, 24 from Will Crossley and 27 from Greg Jones.  Pacy all-rounder Ben Smith took three wickets for 27, while spinner Rhys Oxley turned in the remarkable figures of 10 overs, 3 for 15.

After the tea-break David Steadman (2 for 20) and Hugh Bernard (2 for 14) immediately had Fair Oak in difficulties.  Skipper Harry Reed ground out 20, and in partnership with Tom Clark (17) took Oaks to 54 for 2.  But then Jon Grasham got to work with the ball, bowling 6.2 overs and taking 4 for 10 against the lower order.  Sriram Yegnasubramanian held out for a while by making 17, but Grasham ended the proceedings by trapping him LBW for 17 in the 43rd over.

Sway claimed 19 points, Fair Oak just 4.

Fair Oak’s 2nd XI entertained Calmore Sports II in their first home Hampshire League Division 2 fixture of 2024, and came out on top by five wickets after a tense struggle.  Calmore’s left-handed opener Paul Lock anchored his side’s total of 179 for 9 with 52 runs, with support from Ryan Lomax (22) and Fazal Uria (28).  County 2 debutant Albert Voaden impressed with 3 for 21, while Kannan Manoj chipped in with two wickets of his own.

Oaks’ reply was solid and steady.  Under-15 wicket-keeper Dan Wheble scored his first half-century at that level, making 55 and sharing in stands of 55 with Phil Smith and 59 with James Todd.  At 114 for 1 a home win looked a formality, but Fair Oak had a real struggle against the left-arm spin of Eve O’Neill.  The 16-year-old Southern Vipers starlet turned in a superb spell of 9 overs, 2 for just 8 runs.  Fortunately for Oaks, skipper Todd kept his head and was still there at the close on 61 not out as his side closed out the match at 180 for 5 with just six balls to spare.

In Hampshire Division 4 South, Fair Oak III went down to a heavy defeat at Botley against Ryde II.  A major accident on the M27 snarled up the Islanders and delayed the start, but Ryde nonetheless scored a highly respectable 215 for 5 from a reduced 40-over allocation.  Consistency was the key for the visitors, the top six all passing 20 and Ashley Goldsmith top scoring with 48.  Seb Chambers and Shaun Buttle bagged a brace apiece for the home attack.

In contrast Oaks could only must one score more than 20, Adam Trigwell hitting 22.  Man of the match Goldsmith was in devastating form with the ball – his spell of 6 for 8 should earn him a place on the weekly HCL honours board.  Fair Oak were bowled out for just 75.

Fair Oak IV also lost, against Hythe & Dibden II in Hampshire Division 5 South.  The team from the Waterside kept Oaks firmly in check, the visitors struggling to 104 for 9 from 40 overs.  Dan Struckman, opening the innings, was eighth out for a patient 33, while Josh Wood hit 17 in the lower order.  Wil Bailey was the pick of the Hythe bowling with 3 for 11.

Hythe lost no time in chasing down their victory target, opener Andy Wakely carrying his bat for 43.  Toby Gardner picked up a couple of wickets, but the home side cruised in at 105 for 4 in just 15 overs.

An availability crisis once again left Fair Oak V unable to muster enough players to fulfil their scheduled Hampshire Division 6 South East game, against Bishops Waltham III.