Oban win Jackson Memorial Trophy
Oban welcomed The Drones Cricket Club from South Yorkshire to Taynuilt on Saturday August 25. This fixture has become a regular event in the last few years and had an added poignancy this year as the man who organised it, Keith Jackson from Doncaster, had sadly passed away from cancer earlier this year.
Playing for the Keith Jackson Memorial Trophy, Oban were asked to bat first in what was a damp pitch after heavy overnight rain.
This decision looked the correct one for The Drones as some fine early bowling reduced Oban to 27 for 4. Kenny MacKenzie was joined at the wicket by Mark Parry and they launched a recovery with a fine partnership of 62, before Parry was bowled for 24.
Kenny MacKenzie though, continued to play his finest innings for the club, mixing good defence with some fine shots and the score soon passed 100. MacKenzie reached his 50 soon after and scored some vital runs as the 30 overs finished with Oban all out for 159. Kenny MacKenzie finished unbeaten on 72.
Drones started well in reply, reaching 30 before Andrew Leach took the first wicket for Oban. Father and son David and Tom Orme were the danger men for The Drones hitting some fine shots but they were both out, after looking well set and the asking rate soon grew higher and higher against some tight Oban bowling. Tristan Carre, Jacob Barnsley, Jack Whiteley and Ronnie Kelly all took wickets as Oban seized control.
Fittingly, man of the match Kenny MacKenzie took a good catch to end the game as Oban ran out victors by 34 runs.
Oban 159 (MacKenzie 72 not out, Parry 24); Drones 125 all out Oban travel to Vale of Leven for a six-a-side tournament on September 1 to complete their 2018 season.