An excellent team effort in
the field laid the platform for the first Sunday victory
of the season but Waltham nearly threw away the winning
position. After losing the toss and being asked to bowl
first, Waltham always looked capable of making inroads
in to the Chiswick batting in spite of losing last weeks
hero James Woolford with a lower back injury. Johnson
continued his excellent early season form with eight
miserly overs and two key wickets as well as a dead
eye throw down of the stumps from fine leg to dismiss
Fadden. From the other end, Kiani bowled his best spell
for the club as he collected 2 wickets for 10 from 7
overs. Chiswick were in real trouble and it was just
about to get worse as Chris Burge, operating from the
Royal Oak end took 3 priceless wickets with a sustained,
tight spell of swing bowling. Sharpe then cleared up
the tail and Chiswick were dismissed for a paultry 105.
Captain for the day Matt Connor was immensely impressed
by his teams fielding who supported their bowlers with
some excellent catching and ground fielding.
So
with only 106 to win, Waltham set about their task and
although they lost Woolford early, Kiani and Connor
shared a good second wicket partnership till Kiani was
caught at slip for a well constructed 25. Atkins then
came in and hit his first ball for 6. He was striking
the ball superbly and Waltham's score was starting to
move on without too many alarms but then, with victory
in sight, Waltham lost a glut of wickets. First Connor
played a horrible shot and was bowled, Atkins followed
in controversial fashion as neither of the umpires gave
him out. Rockman smashed a pull to square leg then Burge
did similarly to leave Waltham in a hole. Sharpe played
a couple of well timed strokes but was then was bowled
to leave Waltham wobbling. Enter Johnson and Barnaby
Toy, a youngster who was making his debut for the club.
They both played calmly and with no panic pushing singles
to rotate the strike and putting away the bad deliveries.
Johnson finished the match in style with a lofted straight
drive for 4. An excellent performance by the Sunday
XI. |