Winning streak continues

With last week's game against Pirbright washed out, Waverley arrived at Elstead looking to build on a run of three consecutive victories. Taking up the challenge were James Wright ("Mongo"), Chris Beanland ("Beanie"), Russ Golding ("Raoul"), Nick Farr ("Griff"), Simon Brewer ("KV"), Adrian Day ("Mog"), Andy Du Gay ("Daddy Doogs"), Jamie Harris ("DJ Teabag"), Peter Brewer ("Mr B"), Matt Du Gay ("Doogs") and Adam Carmichael ("AC").

The Elstead pitch is traditionally a road and having won the toss, Doogs wasted no time in batting first in this 40 over game. Accompanying Mongo to the crease was Beanie, converted into an opening batsman for the occasion. Beanie grasped the nettle and looked remarkably comfortable, providing the perfect foil for Mongo's aggressive batting style. With ten overs gone Waverley were 70 without loss and Mongo had reached his half century. Beanie was also adding valuable runs to the board and was looking good value with his score on 33. However, he was unable to suppress the bowler within and a wild swipe across the line saw him back in the hutch. Raoul was out without really troubling the scorers; however Griff enjoyed more success and looked comfortable against the bowling. Mongo continued his relentless march and it was not long before he reached his third century of the season. Despite then playing on for 108, Waverley were in a good position with 29 overs gone and the score 176-3. Griff and KV kept the scoreboard moving in the right direction and Griff was well-placed for a maiden Waverley half-century, but a misjudgement saw him hole out for 41. Waverley lost their fifth wicket soon after when Mog was caught and bowled without scoring. At 214-5 with 35 overs game, the race was on to see whether KV would be able to score the runs necessary to bring up his own half-century. Ably supported by Daddy Doogs, KV raced along at a healthy clip and with one ball of the innings remaining, he required two runs. KV promptly dispatched the ball to the boundary to finish 52 not out, with Daddy Doogs 11 not out and Waverley posting 263-5 from their 40 overs.

After tea (a truly excellent spread), Waverley took to the field to bowl on a track that had offered little assistance to Elstead's bowlers. Grumpy quicks Teabag and Mog got the visitors off to a good start, with Teabag bowling four consecutive maidens to Mog's two. The net result was that Elstead had 38 on the board after ten overs and in the eleventh, they lost their first wicket (a good catch by Griff off the bowling of Teabag). A few overs later and it was Mog who got the second wicket, the catch held by Mr B. With the openers bowled out, Mr B and AC were introduced into the attack. Elstead is neither a happy, nor economical hunting ground for AC and a rank bad ball down leg should by rights have been smeared to the boundary - however, Munden managed to shovel his shot straight to Teabag at short fine leg, who took an excellent reflex catch. AC should have had a second wicket, but for the second time this season put down a simple return catch off his own bowling to reprieve Kirk on 0. At the other end, Mr B continued his excellent season with the ball by bowling Longman. Kirk had been busy smiting AC to the boundary and had raced onto 37, but he too fell victim to Mr B - this time, a high and swirling catch well held by Daddy Doogs and mid-wicket. Mr B made it three wickets with his very next delivery, Disney unable to resist a full toss but top-edging the ball to AC in the slips.

The home side were struggling at 122-6 from 25 overs. It soon became 152-8 when Young was caught at mid-on by AC, Doogs doing the damage with some off-break bowling. Figg and McRaith put up some stubborn lower-order resistance and kept Elstead's slim hopes of victory alive; however Daddy Doogs castled both Figg and Rogers in successive overs to reduce the hosts to 178-9. This brought Lincoln the younger to the crease, but Waverley were made to wait for victory. The youngster batted with great maturity to frustrate the Du Gay family, while McRaith continued to batter the ball to the boundary. Victory was finally secured in the 38th over, McRaith attempting one big heave too many and holing out to Mongo at deep mid-off - Waverley winning by 53 runs.

The Man of the Match Hat went to Mongo for yet another ton, although there were honourable mentions to Griff, KV and Mr B for their performances with bat and ball. The *Anchor Hat was awarded to Raoul, who managed to turn up to the game without any kit whatsoever (it being in the back of his mum's car). Beanie was awarded the Pink T-shirt for having cried off the last few weeks with a broken toe, along with generally disreputable conduct (see below). This week's Captain's Challenge was to balance a pound coin on your elbow, then catch it without dropping it - a challenge that was surprisingly well executed and only resulted in a few pounds being added to the award night charity fund. Tension in the aftermath of the game was also ramped up when Raoul proposed a game of "bums", to the bemusement of most...

THERE NOW FOLLOWS A STATEMENT FROM THE HAT COMMITTEE

At the conclusion of the game and for the second time this season, the Hat Committee was convened to discuss the disreputable conduct of a Waverley player. On this occasion it was the conduct of one Christopher J Beanland. It was alleged that whilst out injured with a broken toe, Mr Beanland uploaded several photographs to Facebook which showed him enjoying assorted spa treatments. Mr Beanland was therefore charged with bringing the club into disrepute by way of feminine conduct unbecoming a Waverley player. As is traditional the accused was given no right of reply and was immediately committed for sentencing by Judge Wig of the Southampton Assizes. In accordance with the sentence handed down to Mr Brewer earlier in the season, Mr Beanland is required to purchase a jug [definition: at least a four-pint pitcher] of beer. The sentence is to be carried out within Mr Beanland's next three appearances for Waverley.

Statement ends...