Bowlers rule the roost

Waverley bounce back with victory at Oakley...

Waverley rolled into Oakley looking to make amends for a disappointing defeat to Thursley last week. Adrian Day ("Mog"), Sam Greensitt ("Viagra"), Chris Beanland ("Beanie"), Simon Brewer ("KV"), Sam Tempest ("Troy"), James Wright ("Mongo"), Andy du Gay ("Daddy Doogs"), Peter Brewer ("Mr B"), Matt Du Gay ("Doogs"), Dan Litwin ("Chuckie") and Adam Carmichael ("AC") were tasked with bringing forth the backlash.

Losing the toss for a third consecutive match, Oakley elected to bat first with Doogs and Chuckie spearheading the Waverley attack in this 40 over game. The early signs were promising as the pair restricted the openers to less than three runs an over, but things got even better in the eighth over. Chuckie comprehensively bowled J Brundle and James in successive deliveries; however Sumner was still looking dangerous at the other end - before he was duly castled by Chuckie a few overs later to complete his top order rout. AC was introduced into the attack and wasted no time in getting stuck in, his first wicket courtesy of an almost-nonchalant one-handed catch from the skipper at mid-on. With Chuckie completing his spell and with Waverley scenting more wickets, the ball was thrown to Troy. He wasted no time in getting his name in the book, bowling B Lethaby. AC and Troy continued to turn the screw, seeing off Compton-Bearne (bowled AC), A Brundle (a straight-forward catch to Viagra off Troy) and B King (bowled AC) in the next few overs. With only 23 overs gone, the home side were in all sorts of trouble with the score on 60-8. However, the ninth wicket partnership frustrated Waverley as G Lethaby and Barnes put on some vital runs for the hosts. Their partnership of 36 dragged Oakley closer to three figures, but then Barnes dragged his back foot and was promptly stumped by KV to give Troy his third wicket. With AC and Troy now through their eight overs, further bowling changes introduced Mr B and Daddy Doogs. With overs running out, the elders of the parish set about the pursuit of a morale-boosting last wicket. It was Daddy Doogs who did the business, castling P King to bring an early end to the Oakley innings and leaving Waverley chasing 115 to win.

Mog and Viagra were tasked with making short work of a modest victory target; however Waverley suffered an early setback with the loss of Viagra and Beanie with only eleven on the board. With Mog anchoring the innings, KV was free to give it some tap and the score started moving along at a healthy clip. Not even the arrival of Russ Golding ("Raoul") could distract Waverley from their task (although it certainly gave ECB something to cry about). Oakley's decision to reintroduce A Brundle to the bowling attack brought instant success as KV was bowled for 35. When Troy then departed for a solitary run, it looked like another Waverley wobble was on the cards with the score 66-4. However, an injured hoof had seen Mongo relegated to number six and it was a case of "Mongo see ball, Mongo hit ball" as the scoring rate once again picked up. When Mog was finally trapped LBW for 22, Waverley only needed 21 to win with plenty of overs to spare. Daddy Doogs joined Mongo in flinging the willow and just three overs later, the visitors reached their target to secure a five wicket win.

The Man of the Match Hat was awarded to Chuckie for his figures of 8-4-12-3, with Mog awarded the *Anchor Hat for a studs-up challenge on Oakley's wicket keeper whilst diving for the crease. In an unusual move, Doogs deemed that their were so many Pink T-shirt offences committed by the team (from dubious fielding attempts to complaints about the cold) that a team award was merited. Therefore, all eleven players were awarded the Pink T-shirt, which Doogs donned for the photo.

The Captain's Challenge returned this week, the task being to take a high catch - one-handed, with your weaker hand. Surprisingly, quite a few managed to hold their chances and so only a few pounds were added to the Awards Night charity fund.

There was also the small matter of an emergency session of the Hat Committee - the findings of the impromptu tribunal can be found HERE.