Annual fixture between OA and Sandridge

Sandridge batted first, and got off to an excellent start on a good Woollams wicket, with Dave Camm (30) and Colin Winton (27) both scoring freely.

The OA opening bowlers, Richard Morgan and Tony Perkins preserved in the heat and were both rewarded with wickets during their spells.

Runs were still coming freely especially when the classy Lenny Peters (24) joined Nick Nyugen at the crease. However the introduction of Andrew McCree into the attack changed the course of the game as he removed both danger men in a typically clinical spell of off spin bowling.

Ex Sandridge star Tariq Hassan picked up a few wickets towards the end, although there was still time for the legendary Fred Munt to hit Tom Preest for a couple of boundaries before the Sandridge innings closed on 170 all out.

OAs reply started in traditional fashion, with Bill’s young son Oliver (aged seven) facing the bowling of Munt (fully 70 years his senior). Oliver showed some excellent form in playing two good shots past the bowler.

Hassan then took up the mantle, opening the innings in aggressive style scoring a quick fire 30. His dismissal brought Bill’s sister Harriet Preest to the crease, where she showed her usual panache and distain for playing herself in by hitting her first ball for four. Harriet was brilliantly caught by Winton at fly slip, and when Simon Wakeling and Dave Goodier were also dismissed it looked like the OAs might have a wobble.

Tom Preest (61) and McCree (41*) used their experience to steady the ship and despite the best efforts of Munt were able to steer the home side to the brink of victory, which was secured by Tony Perkins following the former’s dismissal.

The Preest family would like to thank all those who so generously supported and participated in the memorial game. A donation of over �100 to the Bill Preest Memorial Fund run by the charity SADS UK has been made from the match fees collected, which will go towards the purchase of defibrillators in schools.