Legends abound at President's game

Bertie's select eleven in narrow victory...

Waverley's biggest and most anticipated game of the season survived yet more of the ridiculous weather that is passing for summer this year. Thanks to The Bourne kindly lending the use of their facilities, Waverley 2012 were the home side and were represented by Ian Verrinder ("IV"), Stuart Webb ("Rafa"), James Wright ("Jim Jam"), Russ Golding ("Raoul"), Simon Brewer ("KV"), Jamie Harris ("DJ Teabag"), Marcus Carmichael ("MC"), Adrian Day ("Mog"), Peter Brewer ("Mr B"), Adam Carmichael ("AC") and Bob Moxham ("Sponge Bob"). Waverley President Herbie Scarth's hand-picked challengers consisted of a wide range of former Waverley players and those from other local clubs. Craig Taylor, Rob Salter, Dave Debenham ("Clyde"), Dave Booton, Adam Page, Ritchie Scarth ("Scarthy"), Ryan Powell ("Rhino"), Johnny Harland, Dave Powell ("Cozy"), Bill Stanton and Neil Carmichael ("Hoagy") formed arguably the strongest side Waverley 2012 have faced all season. Amongst the many supporters who turned out for the day were Waverley legends Tony Day, Glynn Warren and Andy Dexter (who had traveled up from Cornwall for the game).

With the gamesmanship starting early doors in the pavilion (Rafa shunning Bertie's offered hand of friendship) and the teams assembled, KV lost the toss to President's XI skipper Johnny and Waverley 2012 fielded first in this 40 over game. The changeable weather meant the game started in overcast conditions and the President's XI went off like a train in the first over, Craig Taylor putting Teabag to the sword. The second over was a different story as Mog struck with his first ball, a rank-bad full toss mistimed by Rob Salter to AC at mid-off. Mog bagged his second wicket shortly after when KV held a powerful drive from Taylor. Despite the initial onslaught Teabag recovered his composure well and soon had two wickets to his name, bagging Clyde and Dave Booton. This brought Frensham's Adam Page and Scarthy to the crease and prompted a bowling change from KV, with AC and Mr B introduced into the attack. Both strangled the run rate with some accurate bowling (albeit for no reward) before AC was withdrawn from the attack.

The introduction of spinning Sponge Bob soon reaped rewards as he dismissed both Scarthy and Page with flight and guile in equal measure. Raoul came on for Mr B and bowled not one but two Powells (whether he'll be seen again after this remains to be seen). This brought gentleman Johnny Harland and Bill Stanton to the crease with only six overs remaining. When AC, re-introduced to the attack, had Stanton stumped off a wide by IV the President's XI were down to their last wicket and Hoagy came to the crease. Despite having some five slips and three gullies to contend with Carmichael senior was quickly off the mark. There were then Comicals operating from both ends when MC was given a do with the ball and despite having to contend with Johnny flinging the willow, MC came up trumps to castle him off the last ball of the innings to leave the President's XI all out on a score of 186.

After an excellent tea courtesy of Claire and Charlotte (including the cutting of a Waverley-themed cake prepared by Loz Brewer), Waverley 2012 commenced the run chase. The President's XI also welcomed a twelfth man as George Harland took to the field. Things didn't get off to the best of starts for the home side when IV was run out early on but Rafa and Jim Jam kept the scoreboard ticking over at a fairly decent rate, despite the best efforts of Rhino and the assorted spin bowlers at the disposal of the President's XI. When Rafa holed out Waverley 2012 were still in a good position with Jim Jam and Raoul at the crease. However, the wickets soon started to tumble. Jim Jam (thinking he was Scarthy) jug-evaded on 48 when he was caught off the bowling of Cozy. KV was then triggered after a trademark appeal from the same bowler. When Raoul minced down the track and was stumped, Waverley 2012 found themselves five down with less than 100 on the board. The scoring rallied under Teabag and MC (the latter playing a cracking cover drive to a Cozy delivery) but both soon ended up back in the pavilion. When Mog joined them it looked like it was all over bar the shouting; however Mr B and AC ensured that the tail wagged. With nineteen runs needed off the last over, Mr B crashed three fours to leave seven needed of two deliveries. A scrambled single meant that AC needed a six off the final delivery to win the game. He managed to get the ball over the bowler, but it was never in any danger of travelling over the rope which meant that the President's XI ran out as winners by five runs in what was a close and exciting match.

There was opportunity after the game to take in the Euro 2012 final, with the awards being presented during half-time. Raoul was awarded the Man of the Match Hat for his bowling display; however he also won the Supporters' Egyptian Hieroglyph Pink T-Shirt for donning extra layers "because it was cold". For only the second time the Pink T-Shirt was awarded to an opposition player: for a couple of mis-fields and for generally falling over, the award was presented to Hoagy. The remainder of the evening passed with intelligent conversation and without incident, save for Raoul managing to fall backwards off his stool after one too many Sunkists. Also worth a mention was the discussion between Loz and Jim Jam about the unpleasant odour of the latter following his batting stint, which Jim Jam blamed on his cricket helmet. His subsequent comment was so inappropriate that it stood no chance of getting past the Ethics Committee...

The scorecard from the day can be found here.