Gareth Johnson in his new role
as all rounder propelled Waltham to the top of the Berkshire
1st Division with an awesome display of cricket. Indeed,
Johnson was rarely out of the game. After losing the
toss and being invited to bat, Waltham lost opener Matt
Connor early on as he got a leading edge and was well
caught in the gully. Enter Johnson, and he soon had
his timing in order, sweetly finding the gaps then punishing
Emmbrook's bowlers with some immaculate drives. At the
other end Helmore, who carried his bat through the innings,
played the anchor role in a partnership of 47 until
Johnson finally chipped a catch to gully for a well
played 27. At this moment Waltham were scoring at just
over 2 per over but this was about to change as Paul
Gearing changed the course of the match with a brutal
66 not out. Gearing hit four towering sixes in all as
well as four fours as he shared a 98 run partnership
with Helmore, helping Waltham to a highly competitive
150.
Buoyed by Gearing's batting, Waltham were quickly
into the opposition as England had opener McConnon caught
behind in only the 4th over. Layne then came in for
Emmbrook and looked very dangerous hitting a six and
a four before he was out thought by some innovative
captaincy and was caught, once again off the bowling
of England. Waltham were in the ascendency and things
were just about to get better still as the Johnson show
took off. First he took an excellent catch to get rid
of Haymen then a direct hit from gully took care of
Higson. He then came on to bowl and took two wickets
and executed two more run outs to leave Emmbrook in
pieces and sweating on the last ball to avoid defeat.
This was an excellent performance by Waltham St Lawrence,
one which was made even better given that the team was
made up of both first and second XI players. |