An excellent first appearance
of the season from Andrew Jackson led Waltham St Lawrence
1st XI to a thumping victory against Hawley. Asked to
bat first Hawley got off to a reasonable start with
Adams driving England straight for for then lofting
Johnson for four over mid on. Waltham however were not
going to panic and with Johnson finding a beautiful
rhythm and with it pronounced outswing, Adams played
one shot too many and was well caught by Trudgill. The
old addage of "one brings two" was perfectly
highlighted as England got into the action dismissing
Hawley's other opener. With 54 on the board honours
were even but not for long as Johnson had Karri caught
at point by Jackson then trapped Johnston LBW both for
1. With England breathing heavily at the other end,
still in shock of having 4 byes off his bowling, Jackson
came on for his first bowl of the season and his lightening
pace certianly made a lasting impression on keeper Mike
Thompson's gloves as well as on the Hawley batsmen as
he dismissed Lucas for a duck then got the prize wicket
of the dangerous Freaks for a well played 40. At the
other end Tayab Arif replaced the economical Johnson
and had instant success having Delaney and Wilkinson
both pouched by Connor at first slip. All was left was
for an embarrassing run out and Jackson's pace to skittle
Saunders destroying the bail in the process as Hawley
were all out for 112.
Following tea Waltham sent "Man of the Moment"
Jackson out for quick runs and he didn't disappoint
as he smashed 33 of 55 balls before being caught at
square leg. Johnson then came in and played a superbly
measured innings which oozed class. He never really
looked like getting out as he drove imperiously on his
way to 28 not out. At the other end Paul Ashton was
at his obdurate best as he played the anchor role scoring
43 from 105 balls. Ashton was finally out with only
5 runs required so captain Gearing, who had taken off
his pads had to rush in. He faced just a few balls for
his 0* before Johnson hit the winning runs and Waltham
celebrated a thoroughly clinical and professional demolition
of Hawley. |