Hampshire League - County Division 1: Fair Oak (127 for 1) beat Eastleigh & Otterbourne (124 for 9) by 9 wickets

SATURDAY was a day of celebration for Fair Oak, whose 1st XI won County 1 at the first attempt - their 3rd and 4th XIs became champions of their own respective divisions, while the 2nd XI also finished in a promotion position.

Oaks 1st XI needed a minimum of 20 points from their final game of the season to keep them out of reach of second-placed Andover.

E&O, batting first on a damp wicket, chose their batting order by drawing lots and lost wickets at regular intervals to Oaks' penetrating attack.

Only Colin Day, batting at no.8, was able to survive for any length of time. He made 34 not out, while left-armer Steve Todd (4-23) and Derek Manning (2-32) impressed with the ball.

Todd, plagued by injury in recent seasons, has decided to hang up his 1st team boots this winter. His ability to take wickets and score late-order runs will be much missed by his team-mates.

In reply Oaks needed to be careful rather than flamboyant, and Mark Thorne once again did a sterling job. The experienced opener took his run aggregate past 600 for the third successive season with a knock of 62 not out.

Luke Savage was bowled by Richard Wilson for 10, but after that Morne van Rooyen kept Thorne company with 43 not out as Oaks cruised home with 14 overs to spare.

After four promotions in five years Oaks are now hoping they will be accepted into the rarefied heights of the Southern Electric Premier League for the 2005 season.

Fair Oak II, third in Division 1 South, were due to travel to fourth-placed Nomansland for their final fixture. That game fell victim to the weather, but the withdrawal of Winchester from the SEPL is likely to increase the number of promotion places on offer right down the pyramid.

With a better points average than the third-placed team in North 1, Oaks' third place should see them into County 4 for next season.

There were no such doubts for Fair Oak III, meanwhile. Despite losing for the first and last time this season, away at Compton & Chandlers Ford III, they are Division 3 South East champions and can look forward to moving up a level.

The hosts batted first, and although Ross Stewart took three wickets Matt Pickett (40) was the pick of a consistent batting performance and saw his side to 129 for 8.

In reply, Oaks collapsed to 34 for 6 against Gordon de la Mere (3-28) and Craig Lenton (2-21). Mick Benham (47) and Ian Bass (36) gave Oaks hope with a stand of 63, but Paul Roberts (3-31) snapped up the tail with his chinamen to leave the champions-elect all out for 112.

Fair Oak IV's home game with Michelmersh & Timsbury II in Division 4 Central was another washout - the week's rains meant that Botley Parish Council were unable to prepare a wicket.

With only nine games played of a scheduled 18, Oaks were left frustrated - but the divisional championship and promotion was a satisfactory fallback position!