The Season Ends Here

Waverley round off the 2014 season with a narrow defeat...

Arriving at the picturesque ground which is Hambledon were a band of merry Waverley men, several of whom had enjoyed the attractions of Aldershot's nightlife the evening before. Turning out for the Wave were Adrian Day (Mog), Russ Golding (Raoul), Sam Greensitt (Lettuce), Simon Brewer (KV), Andy du Gay (Daddy Doogs), Sam Tempest (Troy), Matt du Gay (Doogs), Chris Beanland (Beanie), Matt Pride (London), Peter Brewer (Mr B) and Adam Carmichael (AC).

Doogs won the final conversation of the season and elected to bat first on a pitch which was slightly larger in size than a postage stamp. Mog and Raoul got proceedings underway and both looked in good nick early on, seeing off the new ball. Mog was first to fall for a well made 15, leaving the Slug and Lettuce at the crease. Both batsmen were playing some nice shots and finding the boundary regularly. Raoul was next to be out, bowled whilst jug evading for 43. KV joined Lettuce in the middle, and continued in a similar vein as the day before, smiting the ball to all parts. However, the pair lost their wickets in quick succesion, both batsmen being castled with their scores in the 30's. Daddy Doogs and Troy were the new men in the middle, and both looked to continue the run rate, Troy especially playing some nice shots. When Daddy Doogs was out LBW (despite insisting he'd the ball) Waverley were looking in good shape at 160 for 5. With wickets in hand, the incoming batsmen were expected to try and keep up the run rate, but this led to Doogs chipping one back to the bowler after adding just one run. Beanie joined Troy in the middle, and the pair saw out the rest of the innings, Troy finishing unbeaten on 29, with Beanie adding 10 runs to leave Waverley on 195 from their 35 overs.

After an exorbitant tea, Waverley looked to keep the run rate down and take early wickets. Doogs and Beanie were tasked with doing so first up, and it was the latter who struck first, with Troy holding on to the catch. Not to be outdone, Doogs removed the other opening batsmen in the next over, Lettuce this time on hand to snaffle the chance. That was as good as it got for Waverley for a while, with the next partnership for the home side finding their stride quickly and knocking the ball to all parts. AC and Mr B were introduced to try and make a breakthrough, and it was Mr B who struck in his first over, holding on to a catch off his own bowling. AC also got in on the act and removed Burton cheaply, London holding on to a superb catch having run a long way round to get under it. Another succesful partnership seemed to steady the ship for the home side, who were moving increasingly close to their target score. Doogs shuffled his pack again, demonstrating nepotism of the highest order and bringing on Daddy Doogs. He made the breakthrough, KV taking a sharp stumping chance. When Lettuce came on from the other end and claimed 4 wickets for 2 runs in a spell of excellent pace bowling, it looked as if Waverley might grab victory from the jaws of defeat and end the season with a remarkable late recover. However, it wasn't meant to be, as the home side hit the winning runs in the next over, with just one wicket and 2 overs to spare.

The last awards of the season saw Lettuce claim the man of the match for his excellent all round performance. Beanie won the pink t-shirt by default, as there was a lack of poofery on show, and Doogs was awarded the wAnchor hat, for urging the home side on when Beanie was batting, as he wanted to maintain his higher position in the total runs scored charts.

Despite the loss, it was a good game and a fitting end to another excellent Waverley season. The mighty Wave racked up 11 wins, 2 draws and came second on 8 occasions. A massive thanks from the skipper to everyone who took part this year, hopefully you enjoyed the season as much as I did!