Simply the Best!

Rocket Man KV breaks the record...

And so on to Pirbright, with the game once again coinciding with the annual fair. Waverley’s travelling carnival consisted of James Wright (“Mongo”), Matt Du Gay (“Doogs”), Marcus Carmichael (“MC”), Simon Brewer (“KV”), Warren Vass (“Wozza”), Andy du Gay (“Daddy Doogs”), Kyle Moxham (“Foxy”), Jamie Harris (“DJ Teabag”), Chris Beanland (“Beanie”), Matt Pride (“Pride of Waverley”) and Adam Carmichael (“AC”).

Doogs lost the toss and Waverley batted first, although that was probably for the best as the home side started the game with ten players. They were soon up to a full complement and Waverley’s start was steady, but not spectacular (Doogs and MC falling in successive deliveries with the score on 19). They were joined shortly thereafter by Mongo (21), who chased a wide one outside the off stump. By this stage KV was at the crease and after equalling Hoagy’s record of nine centuries last week at Bagshot, he seemed to be in the mood to go one better. Rarely troubled by the bowling throughout his knock, he started accumulating runs in his usual style.

The rest of the batsmen were left vying for the ‘Best Supporting Actor’ nomination, but don’t let some low scores fool you: everyone played their part in assisting KV as he dragged Waverley past the hundred mark. Although wickets were falling, KV marched past 50. By the time Beanie came to the crease, a second consecutive ton and the club record were firmly on the cards. Some big hitting saw KV race to 96. From the direction of the fair, “The Best” by Tina Turner blared out (eerily prophesied by MC’s Emily). Unfortunately the song ended without incident, mainly because the ball had been lost in the car park for some time following his last six. But the crowd (including former record holder Hoagy) didn’t have long to wait: to the dulcet tones of Elton John’s Rocket Man, KV launched another six to bring up his tenth Waverley ton (the Waverley SWAGS celebrated by ordering ice cream). A few more runs were added to see Waverley post a total of 203-9 from their 40 overs, KV finishing 111* not out.

The home side had a strong top order at their disposal so Waverley needed to make early inroads. Beanie and Teabag duly did the business, removing both the openers in their eight over spells. They could have had further wickets to their name but unfortunately, Comical brothers AC and MC were off on Planet Teflon. AC was rotated into the attack, but was rotated out faster than the fair’s teacup ride as Flanegan and Burch looked to get after his flighted deliveries. By this stage the home side had raced onto 118 from 21 overs and looked firmly in command, until Pride of Waverley struck in successive overs to break the partnership. Foxy, on for AC, was proving to be far more economical and although his five over spell was not rewarded with a wicket, he was able to slow the run rate at a crucial time.

However, it was the introduction of Daddy Doogs into the attack that swung the pendulum firmly in Waverley’s direction. He picked up the prize wicket of Burch in his first over and helped himself to three more wickets, gutting the tail. He could have had a fifth, but Doogs wasn’t able to cling on to the chance (unconfirmed reports suggest that Daddy Doogs’s will has now been re-written). Doogs was operating from the other end and having already induced an edge behind to Wozza, he wrapped up the innings in the 39th over. Pirbright were dismissed for 179, having lost eight wickets for 59 runs.

It came as no surprise that KV was awarded the Man of the Match Hat for his record-breaking knock of 111*, whilst Doogs awarded himself the *Anchor Hat for that dropped catch of his father’s bowling. The Pink T-shirt went to Pride of Waverley, for requesting gloves to change the scoreboard “because the numbers were hot”. In other news, Waverley tried to take Mongo back to the fair but apparently they don’t do refunds…