Back to winning ways

Foxy comes of age as Waverley cruise to victory...

In what is perhaps an unprecedented move, Waverley's skipper elected to drop himself from the team in the interests of squad rotation (and we're assured that it had absolutely nothing to do with him being run out off the first ball of the match last season). This left James Wright ("Mongo") in charge and he was joined by Adrian Day ("Mog"), Russ Golding ("Raoul"), Simon Brewer ("KV"), Sam Tempest ("Troy"), Jamie Harris ("DJ Teabag"), Kyle Moxham ("Foxy"), Dan Litwin ("Chuckie), Matt Pride ("Wilbur"), Peter Brewer ("Mr B") and Adam Carmichael ("AC"). Hawley has become a bit of a grudge match in recent seasons and in DJ Teabag and Chuckie, Waverley had one former and one current Hawley bowler in their ranks. On the other side of the dressing room, Hawley were marshalled by Mike Tiley ("Topps").

Mongo won the toss in this 40 over game and invited Hawley to bat, with Chuckie and Teabag leading the Waverley bowling attack. It wasn't long before the watching crowd was treated to the first wicket of the day, Panigrahi's attempted cut dollying up to AC off the bowling of Chuckie. The second wicket followed in the very next over, this time Mongo snaffling a catch in the covers to give Teabag a notch on the bowling bedpost. This brought Topps to the crease but his innings was swiftly curtailed: Mongo introduced Troy into the attack and with his first rank half-tracker delivery, Topps somehow managed to chip it in the direction of Foxy who held onto the catch. Wilbur was brought on from the other end and although he netted the exits, he wasn't quite able to introduce the ferret and his bowling went unrewarded.

By this stage Cappleman-Lynes had started finding the boundary (although he did have a lucky escape off the bowling of Troy when on about 40-odd), and seemed to be single-handedly posting a competitive total for the hosts. More bowling changes ensued as Mr B and AC tried to arrest Hawley's progress. Mr B kept his prolific season going with a double wicket maiden in his second over, the first a stumping from KV. The second saw Foxy show quick reflexes at square leg to take an excellent catch. AC got in amongst the wickets in the next over, Cappleman-Lynes dismissed for 92 courtesy of a flying catch by Mongo at mid-wicket. AC followed this up with a double wicket maiden of his own, the first being another excellent catch from Foxy (his third of the game). AC broke out the Weetabix dive to send MacGregor back to the pavilion and leave Hawley floundering on 164-8. With just two wickets required, Foxy was brought into the attack and ended the Hawley innings in just five deliveries: Boyd was caught at point by Troy and L Wilson was castled first ball to leave Hawley all out for 188.

After a sweet-filled tea and Wilbur's attempt to eat a Victoria Sponge cupcake without leaving most of it in his beard, Mongo and Mog looked to lay the foundations of the Waverley chase. Mongo's brutal hitting combined with Mog's measured approach saw the visitors moving along at a composed rate and all looked well after 12 overs. In the thirteenth, Mog advanced down the track in search of a single and was sent back by Mongo (the ball being in the hands of the cover fielder at the time). Mog was short of his ground and was run out for ten. Mongo was poised for a half century but he was also back in the pavilion just a few balls later, caught for 43. However, Raoul and KV managed to avert a full-blown Waverley wobble and swiftly got the run chase back on track. Both batsmen were the epitome of composure as the victory target ticked ever nearer. Raoul passed his half-century and with sufficient runs available, it seemed only a matter of time before KV would do the same... only for KV to channel his inner-Scarthy and jug-evade on 46.

Waverley's players and spectators would be forgiven for thinking that with the score 179-3, victory was assured. Determined not to make it that easy, a further wobble followed: first, Troy was triggered by Wilbur without scoring. Next, Teabag was dismissed by Cappleman-Lynes for a score of four. However and despite this late drama, Raoul soon took the opportunity to end the game with a boundary and delivered Waverley a five wicket win with some nine overs to spare.

The Man of the Match Hat went to Foxy for his excellent catching and two wickets with the ball, whilst Mongo awarded himself the *Anchor Hat for mouthing off at the umpire whilst fielding. Given Waverley's excellent performance in the field, Mongo did not think there were any offences that justified the award of the Pink T-shirt... until Chris Beanland (who had come to watch) volunteered to wear the shirt as he was still looking for pity and sympathy hobbling around on a crutch with a broken toe. With no more business to attend to, Waverley's players contented themselves by sitting back, relaxing, and listening to Raoul regale them with tales from his latest lad's holiday...