Waverley ease to victory

Raoul's first fifty ensures Waverley victory.

This time last year, Waverley made a record score of 328 as they thrashed the home side by over 200 runs. Expectations were therefore high on a gloriously sunny day: Andy Minshaw ('the Mincer'), Stuart Webb ('Rafa'), Ian Verrinder ('IV'), Marcus Carmichael ('MC'), Russ Golding ('Raoul'), Simon Knox ('Chewy'), Kyle Moxham ('Ky'), Adrian Day ('Mog'), Jamie Harris ('DJ Teabag'), Bob Moxham ('Sponge Bob') and Adam Carmichael ('AC') were tasked with writing themselves into the record books this season.

With the regular skipper absent, the Sponge was vocal before the game about how Waverley would bat "no matter what" the home side said... so having lost toss, Waverley fielded first in this 40 over game with grumpy quicks Teabag and Mog looking to make some early inroads. It was Mog who had the best of times, bagging three wickets in his spell thanks to catches from IV and Chewy, while his third moved away with the wind and caught the top of off stump. Teabag bowled well for no reward and was replaced by Chewy, who wheeled away down the hill. AC replaced Mog and was involved in a wicket in his first over, the batsmen attempting to run a single round the corner only to be headed off by IV, who threw down the stumps at the bowler's end. AC then helped himself to two wickets, with Knoxy picking up one for himself after IV pouched a thin edge behind. The home side were seven down by this stage and thoughts started to drift towards a beer match. However, an eighth wicket partnership frustrated the Waverley juggernaut and eased Pirbright towards a defendable total. Ky bowled a decent line and length and was unlucky not to have a catch taken on the boundary by Mog, the ball staying just slightly out of reach. The spinning Sponge brought himself into the attach and eventually broke the partnership, the left hander playing on to his own stumps. Dennis had played a vital innings for the home side and made a well deserved fifty. However, the introduction of Raoul eventually finished off the home side with his unique brand of spin. The home side were bowled out in the final over of their innings for 146.

Fresh back from his beamer-induced injury and twenty stiches, the Mincer was tasked with opening the batting in his brand new, shiny green helmet... and promptly had to duck out of the way of the beamer the first ball he faced. The visitors scored steadily throughout their innings as the Mincer, Rafa and IV all got into double figures, MC being the unlucky one who got the ball that turned a mile allegedly... But the batting plaudits belonged to Raoul, whose timing and shot selection was spot on as he completed his maiden fifty in first class cricket. He was ably supported be Chewy, who unselfishly retired when he saw the winning post was near in order to give Ky a bat. Ky did Grandpa Sponge proud by playing a sensible innings, including a couple of trademark Moxham slip drives. Waverley eventually won the match courtesy of a leg bye, with nine overs and six wickets in hand.

The Man of the Match award was a foregone conclusion, two wickets and fifty runs ensuring it went Raoul's way. The Pink T-Shirt was dually awarded this week, going to both the absent skipper (for missing the game in the first place) and to Mr B (also absent, but principally for not trusting AC enough to let him have the scorebook). A barbeque was laid on after the game, Jim Jam no doubt regretting his attendance at a wedding given the number of burgers and sausages available. Time for Comments from the Clio and a couple of gems for you this week. First, discussion on the journey home turned to the potential for a Waverley night out in Guildford, with MC suggesting he might invite his missus up for that weekend. He was quickly chastised for his "schoolboy error" by Teabag, who then went on to voice his displeasure for a good pint of Guiness: "I'd rather drink Marmite", he claimed. With its variety of uses, Marmite is no doubt a staple food in Cove...