Waverley cling on

Visitors collapse, but secure the draw...

After last weekend's washout the weather changed for the better for the Bank Holiday visit to Medstead. A late withdrawal through injury saw a welcome return to the side for Neil Carmichael ("Hoagy"), once again putting his body on the line to ensure Waverley could field a full eleven. Joining him were Adrian Day ("Mog"), Jamie Harris ("DJ Teabag"), Marcus Carmichael ("MC"), Russ Golding ("Raoul"), Barry Stovold ("Baz"), Matt Du Gay ("Doogs"), Matt Pride ("Pride of Waverley"), Chris Beanland ("Beanie"), David Stockwell ("Stockrates") and Adam Carmichael ("AC").

Boasting a side featuring more bowlers than batsmen, it was no surprise that Doogs elected to field first on a spongy pitch. It proved to be a calculated move as he and Beanie cause all sorts of problems for Medstead's top order. Doogs struck first with an off-cutter clipping the top of off stump. Not to be outdone, Beanie then castled Tingey and bagged his second wicket when Doogs snaffled a top edge at fine leg. Beanie's economic spell was brought to an end (not least because he looked knackered) and AC was introduced to the attack. It proved to be an inspired change as he picked up two wickets in consecutive first over deliveries, the hat trick ball being squirted away into the off-side. By this stage, the home side were reeling on 45-5.

However, a vital sixth wicket partnership between Treress and Panons steadied the Medstead ship. Treress in particular looked assured as he passed 50. AC and Pride of Waverley used their best endeavours, the former seeing Panons dropped three times off his bowling; however the partnership remained unbroken. Doogs shuffled his pack and introduced Raoul and Stockrates, which had the desired effect as Panons was finally castled by Raoul (the partnership broken after 89 runs). Stockrates subsequently removed Treress for a well-made 86 and the last wicket to fall in the innings was claimed by Raoul. The next over saw the home side declare on a score of 179-8.

After tea the Waverley charge was led by Mog and DJ Teabag; however both found scoring hard work on the slow pitch. Teabag made 16 and was looking perfectly assured until he was trapped LBW. This brought MC to the crease, who chipped in with 12 runs before he holed out. When Raoul returned to the pavilion without troubling the scorers, Waverley were into the final 20 overs and victory was looking unlikely. Baz provided some cheer with a six from his patented "Stovold-sweep" (not to be found in any textbook), but then Waverley's collapse started in earnest. Mog was first, caught attempting to loft the ball over the in-field for 25. Baz was then bowled to leave the visitors 68-5.

Doogs and Pride of Waverley put on 25 for the sixth wicket, although most of those came off one extraordinary over from Treress which culminated in Pride of Waverley being bowled. Beanie then made the brave decision to run out the skipper (which didn't go down too well, judging from the cursing emanating from the changing room), before he himself was trapped LBW. Waverley had two overs to survive with two wickets in hand, with Hoagy not looking particularly keen at the thought of having to pad up. Luckily, Stockrates and AC were able to negotiate the final two overs without incident... barring Stockrates being run out off the last ball of the game when AC insisted on bringing him back for the fourth run...

There were several credible performances with the ball; however the Man of the Match Hat was awarded to Hoagy for once again going above and beyond the call of duty, flinging himself around the field with the energy of a man half his age gusto. Beanie cleaned up the rest of the awards, being awarded the *Anchor Hat (for running out the skipper) and the Pink T-shirt for complaining about hurting his leg in the field. Not that you could ever accuse Doogs of being vindictive, obviously...