Oak effort: Jarrod Travaglia sends down a delivery against Croydon on Saturday. Picture: Wayne Hawkins
OAKLEIGH showed its form has survived the Christmas break, notching its seventh win as the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association matches resumed on Saturday.
The Oaks chased down Croydon's total of 9-221 from 45 overs to finish play on 4-222 from 44 overs with captain Jarrod Travaglia (79) and Brendan McGuinness (70) leading their chase on a lightning-fast Warrawee Park.
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McGuinness said the match was just what his side needed after entering the Christmas break on top of the ladder. "We got to blow out a few cobwebs early in the innings and it was pleasing to have our top-order batsmen leading the way and getting among the runs.
"A couple of us were disappointed to go out before it finished. You are always disappointed to get out, but we still got over the line and I think Travaglia's innings was excellent. We're lucky to have a batsman of his quality."
McGuinness said the Oaks were always confident they could chase the Cockies' score.
"The outfield was very fast while the sun was out in their innings and early in our innings.
"It was good we were able to score a few boundaries in those first 20 overs but it got a bit tougher once the sun went away. It became overcast later in the afternoon as the outfield slowed down noticeably and we just couldn't get those boundaries later in the innings."
Cockies captain-coach Hagan Shakespeare said he was pleased with his side's batting but disappointed in the number of boundaries the team gave up early in the Oaks innings.
With McGuinness and Travaglia batting through the middle part of the innings, the Oaks looked likely to cruise to victory but McGuinness skied a ball from Steven Wright to be dismissed with the score on 2-163.
Again the Oaks looked comfortable until Travaglia went out with the end in sight at 218.
The Cockies were able to slow down the Oaks' chase in the final few overs but Sam Jones and Brent Warren were able to get their side over the line, running four runs to earn victory.
The Oaks visit Plenty Valley for the first day of a two-day clash starting this Saturday at 1pm.