Waverley triumph in Battle of Bagshot

Thrilling match ends in victory...

A traditionally high-scoring Bagshot pitch played host to a Waverley side fresh from scoring 323 against Alford last time out. Turning out for the visitors were James Wright ("Mongo"), Adrian Day ("Mog"), Marcus Carmichael ("MC"), Russ Golding ("Raoul"), Simon Brewer ("KV"), Joe Morse ("Endeavour"), Jamie Harris ("DJ Teabag"), Sam Tempest ("Troy"), Peter Brewer ("Comrade Brewer"), Matt Du Gay ("Doogs") and Adam Carmichael ("AC").

Batting first, Mongo went off like an express train with Mog keeping a steady hand on the tiller at the other end. Mongo passed his half-century in next to no time and the next major milestone was the hundred partnership. Within 20 overs, he'd completed his second century of the season. By this stage Mog decided it was time to press the accelerator; however a mis-timed drive saw him back in the pavilion for 16 (not doing justice to his contribution towards an impressive 142 runs for the first wicket). However and with England busy collapsing against the Australians, Waverley thought it was time to get in on the act with a patented Waverley wobble. First, MC was castled with just an impressive cover-driven four to his name. Raoul was bowled the very next ball. When KV went shortly afterwards without troubling the scorers, Waverley had gone for 142-0 to 156-4.

This brought Endeavour to the crease, fresh from scoring 72* on his début the previous week. Sometimes form brings luck and this was evident when he was dropped at slip whilst still on 0. But that minor hiccup aside, Endeavour looked composed and confident at the crease as he began accumulating runs. Mongo eventually holed out for a score of 134 (also giving D Skilton his five wicket haul), but Endeavour kept going and scoring rate was maintained with the assistance of Teabag. Endeavour reached his half-century and with the declaration looming, the race was on to see if he'd reach his century. Teabag was sent back to the pavilion for 16 and Endeavour kept finding the boundary. However, he ran out of time and six off the last ball of the innings saw him finish agonisingly short of his ton on 97*. Troy added two runs to his tally for the season and Waverley declared with a score of 288-6.

On a pitch offering very little for the bowlers, it was important that the visitors took the chances that came their way. Doogs and Teabag looked to try and extract some life from the pitch and Teabag got an early breakthrough - Endeavour snaffling a catch inches from the turf. A second wicket followed soon after, Doogs eliciting a booming drive from Dunnage that was snapped up by a diving AC. At 25-2 things seemed to be going Waverley's way; however a dangerous partnership soon developed between J Skilton and A Goss. The left and right hand combination proved a fruitful source of runs. AC and Comrade Brewer came into the attack and AC in particular suffered with one of the short boundaries. Eventually, J Skilton attempted one big heave too many and KV showed great reactions behind the stumps to give Mr B a wicket for his efforts. Encouraged, AC changed his angle of attack and came around the wicket to Goss. The left-hander was not as free-scoring outside his off-stump and tickled one through to KV for 80.

With the score 171-4, 19 overs remaining and two potential match-winners back in the hutch, Doogs rotated his bowling to introduce Endeavour and Troy. The run chase was well and truly on and Bagshot's skipper Young was taking the attack to Waverley. Although this resulted in the run out of R Funnel, who unwisely took on a Mongo throw from the boundary, the target was creeping closer and the required run rate was hovering at about five an over. Waverley kept the pressure on with regular wickets - Troy castled D Skilton and the following over, Endeavour sent M Funnell back to the hutch when he was well caught by Troy at square leg. Endeavour then returned the favour by hanging onto a catch in the covers off Troy's bowling. When Troy picked up his third wicket, a catch held by Teabag at mid-on, the visitors were 261-9 and needed 28 runs from five overs. Young was still at the crease and with Harris bottling up one end, Bagshot were in a good position. Then, in the penultimate over, Troy fired down the perfect yorker that beat Young all ends up - delivering Waverley a four run victory with seven balls to spare.

Although there were several candidates for the Man of the Match Hat, the award went to Mongo for his impressive 134 runs. Doogs self-awarded the *Anchor Hat for managing to lose club funds to burglars (and not having any contents insurance, just to rub salt into the wound). With the Pink T-shirt misplaced, Mrs B's Pink Hoodie was awarded to Troy for sporting a Piglet plaster when fielding. This week also saw the return of the Captain's Challenge - the task being to score a penalty against Laura Brewer ("Loz"). The challenge was enthusiastically undertaken by all those present... even MC's Emily was able to hit the target, which was more than can be said for the efforts from Doogs and Mog...