Waverley keep their cool

Jim Jam and Mog pile on the runs...

An unseasonably chilly day for late April saw the first of two games against The Bourne. Looking to build on the opening victory against Shalford were James Wright ("Jim Jam"), Adrian Day ("Mog"), Russ Golding ("Raoul"), Simon Brewer ("KV"), Tristan Brown ("Trist"), Craig Ryan ("C_rage"), Adam Carmichael ("AC"), Sam Tempest ("Troy"), Peter Brewer ("Mr B") and Bob Moxham ("Sponge Bob").

Having lost the toss, Waverley batted first in this 40 over match with Mog and Jim Jam tasked with making early inroads into the home side's bowling attack. It was slow going in the initial overs on what was a damp, green pitch but soon the tempo picked up and the pair didn't look like stopping. A powerful innings by Jim Jam and a composed Captain's knock from Mog kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely, the only lapse being an edge behind from Mog early on that went down behind the stumps. That aside, it was clear neither batsman would be giving his wicket away as both marched past the fifty mark. Jim in particular was smashing the ball to all parts and he soon had Waverley's first century of the season. At one point it looked like KV's club record score of 157* not out was within reach; however on 146 Jim finally holed out to mid-wicket, bringing to an end the 233 run opening stand. Mog had been steadily increasing his tally and looked well poised for a maiden century, before being caught out by the variable bounce and playing onto his own stumps for an excellent 94. Raoul and KV (who hit a six off his first delivery) added further runs in the remaining three overs as Waverley posted a score of 261-2 at tea.

After the customarily excellent tea (and with default quick bowlers Mog and Jim Jam knackered from their earlier exertions with the bat), AC and Mr B found themselves spearheading the Waverley attack. Both bowled tidy spells with AC seeing a couple of airborne chances fall agonisingly short of fielders. It was Mr B who got the breakthrough when he castled one of the openers. He should have followed this up with a second wicket to his name when a high, looping chance was put down by KV. However, Waverley's keeper reacted quickly to kick the loose ball back down the pitch for Mr B to run out the second opener, who'd taken off to try and steal a single. AC and Mr B were replaced by Troy and Raoul, the latter getting in amongst the wickets with a full toss yorker that evaded the bat. Waverley were looking well placed but the big hitting number three was in danger of taking the game away from them as the ball disappeared to all parts. Troy soon stepped up to the plate and notched up his first Waverley wicket by making the most of the variable bounce. Two balls later he had his second wicket courtesy of an LBW and Raoul chipped in with a further wicket of his own.

Waverley still needed another wicket or two to put the game to bed and they were duly provided by Sponge Bob, Moxy the Destroyer striking first with an LBW and then by bowling The Bourne's number three (who had reached a well made century), effectively ending the home side's chances of victory with three overs to go. With Raoul having bowled his eight overs, Mog had a do with the ball and chipped in with a wicket to add to his 94 runs. The Bourne were able to negotiate the final over without losing their last wicket as Waverley ran out winners.

In the post-match awards Mog declined to award the Pink T-shirt, deeming that there were no offences of note that justified the accolade. The Man of the Match Hat was awarded to Jim for his 146, but he also won the *Anchor Hat for displaying a great deal of faith in his own ability. The Supporters' Egyptian Hieroglyph Pink T-shirt award was presented to AC, who was overheard praising a floral display.

This week's final paragraph comes to you courtesy of Jim Jam, who's story provides a searing indictment of what happens without proper regulation of social networking sites: "my bum was on Facebook for three years until they took it down". Quite what it was doing there in the first place is anybody's guess...