Catches win Matches... Eventually

Waverley triumph despite generous fielding display...

An absolutely glorious day greeted Waverley as they made the trip to Blackheath, with a full compliment of players arriving at the ground this week. Looking to guide the Wave to victory were Adrian Day ("Mog"), James Wright ("Mongo"), Nick Hales ("The Bubble"), Russ Golding ("Raoul"), Simon Brewer ("KV"), Matt du Gay ("Doogs"), Sam Tempest ("Troy"), Chris Beanland ("Beanie"), Matt Pride ("Pride of Waverley"), Laura Brewer ("Loz") and Peter Brewer ("Mr B").

For the first time this season, Doogs was defeated at tossing, and Waverley were put in to bat in this 40 over game. After some initially solid defence from Mog and Mongo, Blackheath made the breakthrough in the 8th over. Mog was unlucky to play on to his own stumps, having not quite been prepared as the bowler arrived to deliver the ball. Mongo was joined at the crease by The Bubble, who found the going tricky at first. Mongo was having no such trouble at the other end, and soon brought up his half century. He added a few extra runs before glancing a ball down leg side, which the Blackheath keeper made no mistake in holding - Mongo eventually departing for a well made 64. This brought Raoul to the middle, and he and the Bubble kept the impressive run rate going, with some excellent shots. The two were in a race to hit 50, and it was the Bubble who reached the milestone first, to a huge ovation from the stands. Soon after though, Bubble chipped a catch to point and was gone for an excellent 53. KV joined Raoul and the crease and both batsmen hit some fine shots, picking up on any loose deliveries and carting them to the boundary. The Waverley innings finished with KV 36 not out, and Raoul on 63 not out, leaving a total of 253.

After tea, Waverley took to the field with a seemingly solid total to defend. After a couple of overs it became clear that a few extra runs may well have been useful. Troy and Beanie were given the new ball, but the Blackheath openers were quick to pick up on any deliveries which weren't right on the money. After 10 overs, the home side were well ahead of the run rate, and looking in control. Doogs shuffled his pack and introduced Mr B for Beanie. It proved to be a good move, with Mr B striking in his first over, Raoul doing well to hold on to a catch to remove McRae for 26. Mr B struck again soon after, Troy taking a catch to remove Harrison for 6. Doogs brought himself into the attack, and also struck with a wicket in his first over, Pride of Waverley holding on to a catch in the leg side. The home side were still going along nicely at this point, with Blackheath's opener Milton cruising past his half century. A few chances went down in the field, and the game looked to be getting away from Waverley, until Doogs struck again, taking a sharp, one-handed caught and bowled to remove Milton for 96.

Mr B finished his spell without adding to his 2 wickets, and Loz was introduced into the attack. She too struck in her first over, Mr B taking the catch. Doogs picked up another wicket, clean bowling Mansell and leaving the home side with just 4 wickets remaining. The early hitting (and some slack fielding from the visitors) meant that Blackheath were still right up with the run rate though. Doogs changed things up again, introducing Pride of Waverley and Raoul. The latter picked up Waverley's 7th wicket, which was held well by Pride. When Raoul struck again to remove Offa and Rolandelli in the same over, Waverley sensed they were in with a chance of winning with just a few overs remaining. The visitors thought they'd won the game when Beanie held a catch off Raoul, but the umpire called a no ball. Waverley did wrap up the win soon after though, as Raoul added a fourth wicket, Troy holding on to a catch at square leg. At the end of a very close game, Waverley emerged victorious, by just 12 runs.

The Pink T-Shirt was awarded to Troy, for diving out of the way of a ball in the field. Although this was substituted for one of ECB's pink bibs, as Mongo had left the pink t-shirt at home, for which he was duly awarded the *Anchor hat. Man of the match went to Raoul, for his display with both bat and ball.

Despite some missed chances in the field, Waverley picked up their 5th win on the trot, leaving the skipper very happy. Especially when he finally found his towel, which his team mates had thoughtfully relocated during his shower....