After a shocking early batting
collapse, Damon Hill and James Woolford nearly won an
excellent match of cricket played in the best of spirits.
Beginning early because of the football, Waltham bowled
first and some tight bowling from Woolford and Kiani
enabled WSL to control proceedings. Kiani finally made
a breakthrough as Sage unwisely slashed hard to Hill
at backward point. Soon after and Kiani was in the wickets
again as Lovett was bowled by a "beauty".
Things were looking good for Waltham especially when
Chris Sharpe had Parrott well caught by Rockell, Rockell
on the boundary. Waltham had their tails up and were
gunning for more wickets but Wycombe had other ideas.
Opener Rowley together with Jones begun to build the
score and when Rowley was bowled by Nebbett, Jones and
Roecastle put on 79 for the fifth wicket. Connor came
on and bowled Roecastle but Wycombe had posted a good
target of 183 from their 40 overs.
Waltham began their reply immediately and Kiani was
in fluent form driving Oakley for two fours in one over
before being bowled by Lovett. Thus ensued the collapse
as 6 further wickets fell for only 14 runs. WSL were
in a hole but Hill and Woolford were just about to get
them out of it. Both played beautifully, Hill mixing
defense with a sudden bludgeoning burst of hitting and
Woolford playing fluently all round the wicket.
In spite of the Wycombe fielders having spread to the
boundary edge, Waltham still were hitting the boundaries
they needed until Woolford top edged a pull and was
caught for an excellent 43. Hill continued on passing
50 in the process until a freak catch on the boundary
edge by Lovett dismissed him and indeed WSL's chances
of victory.
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