Opening batsman Matt Trudgill once again was
the catylist for an excellent start to the Waltham innings
with another well crafted fifty. In searing heat once
again, Waltham won the toss and elected to bat. Connor
and Trudgill were watchful at first but soon Trudgill
was punishing the bowling with some booming drives and
pulls.
Connor at the other end was less severe, flicking and
nudging the ball around as the openers put on 114 for
the first wicket as Trudgill was well caught at square
leg attempting another pull. Woolford then came in to
bat and although not entirely fluent at the beginning,
took his time and begun to find the middle of the bat
with consecutive fours off a Williams. Connor was then
caught at point after getting another leading edge.
In came Kiani who avoided the ignominy of a hat trick
of ducks but he was soon out as was Jones whose first
league innings ended for 6. Waltham were wobbling and
the run rate was dropping but with Woolford still in
anything could happen. Thompson was in next but after
some sweet punched drives he holed out to Mahmood at
cover point.
Owen was next to be pouched by Mahmood as he persihed
for 0, his 6th of the season. Waltham were struggling
for big runs and when Woolford was well bowled by Ahmed
and Yearsely followed it was left to Toy and Hawthorne
to ensure that the entire 45 overs were batted out.
After a sumptuous tea courtesy of Owen, Waltham took
the field knowing that early wickets and tight overs
were the key to victory. Unfortunately this failed to
transpire and Theale were off to a flyer with opener
Withington in fine form. Kiani then tightened things
up and induced a suicide run form Reeves who was well
run out by some good team work from Trudgill and Thompson.
Unfortunately for Waltham, Withington continued to prosper
as he passed his 50 and the score passed 100. With the
result seeming like a formality suddenly Waltham were
back in the hunt. First, Hawthorne had Moore caught
behind by Thompson then Jones came on for his first
over. Second ball he bowled Emmett then got Robinson
to top edge a rising delivery that fell just short of
woolford at fine leg. Next delivery however he got his
man who repeated the shot and Thompson did the rest.
Waltham really thought they could pull off an unlikely
victory but with Withington still there they knew this
wouldn't be possible. In spite of this they gave him
a life as Matt "Magnet" Nebbett spilled a
chance off Woolford at deep square leg. A few overs
later however, Richard "Electromagnet" Hawthorne
showed Nebbett how to do it as he held an excellent
catch to dismiss him off the bowling of Woolford.
Waltham needed 5 more wickets but inspite of some agricultural
hitting and loose shots they couldn't dislodge Ahmed
and Mahmood who saw Theale home with 12 overs to spare.
This was a disappointing performance from Waltham who
had bossed the game for long periods only to come up
short at the end. |