Waverley dismal in defeat

On a fine but chilly Sunday afternoon, Waverley arrived at Medstead looking to record back-to-back victories to continue their winning start to the season. There were two changes to the side that beat Shalford on the opening day with Loz Brewer and David Stockwell being replaced by Marcus Carmichael and Malorie Short who was making her debut having arrived from the colonies as part of the Waverley prisoner exchange programme (Jim Jam had been sent to New Zealand in exchange but was promptly sent back).

Having lost the toss and been inserted in to bat the Waverley openers set about building a target. The track was still slightly soft from overnight rain but the consistent bounce favoured the batsman more than the bowlers. Despite this Waverley made hard work of the batting. It wasn't until the 3rd over that Waverley finally scored a run of the bat, J Wright hitting hard over the covers for 6. In true Waverley fashion Jim lost his wicket the very next ball when he was caught at mid-wicket mistiming a drive. Chris Beanland, in at 3, was dismissed soon after having been trapped LBW by Dedman leaving Waverley 14-2. The third wicket fell without any further runs being added when A Day was also dismissed LBW in the next over. M Carmichael and S Brewer looked to steady the ship and despite some early scares got the scoreboard moving forwards and put on a partnership of 33 runs before MC was deceived by the off-break bowling of J Denton. Si joined him back in the hutch soon after, caught, leaving Waverley 50-5. Both A Du Gay and W Knox came and went without troubling the scorers and the visitors were left fighting to post a respectable score. Skipper M Du Gay was playing some shots to keep the scoreboard moving but the 8th wicket fell when S Tempest was out caught for 3. A Fry claimed the 9th wicket soon after, clean bowling the skipper for a respectable 22. Debutant Short added some vital runs at the end with P Brewer but the Waverley innings came to an inevitable end 35minutes before tea when Pete lost his wicket. Waverley all out for just 96.

With time still to play before tea Medstead set-out to bat what could have been a tricky half hour. Tempest and Short opened the Waverley attack but couldn't find the breakthrough. P Brewer and the skipper replaced the openers just before tea to take the pace off the ball but the Medstead batsmen showed Waverley just how easy batting could be and went in to tea 36-0.

An excellent tea was well received and Waverley took to the field for the second session in high spirits convinced that if the opening partnership could be broken the wickets would flow. The breakthrough stubbornly refused to come until Pete claimed the wicket of Dedman. Trespess continued to attack the Waverley bowling and soon had a half-century and with the scored tied looked to knock off the winning runs but was trapped LBW by P Brewer. A third wicket nearly fell to young Will Knox when Rawlings picked out the skipper with a lofted drive at mid-on only for the chance to be put down (the skipper took it really well....honest). The winning run was finally scored next ball consigning the visitors to an 8-wicket defeat.

Man of the match was awarded to Pete for his two wickets. MC was awarded the t-shirt for failing to stop a ball that went through his legs for 4 runs off the skippers bowling and Jim picked up the Anchor Hat for dropping a catch that then went for 6. A revolt was then held after the photographs and the Anchor Hat was re-awarded to the skipper for his antics after dropping a catch.