Jackson destroys Hawley again |
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Waltham St Lawrence made the journey to Hawley on he back of a convincing win the previous week against Ruislip Victoria. Missing talented allrounders Gearing, Johnson and Van Zyl, this was not going to be an easy match. The match was delayed due to traffic and some Ziggy ‘Tom Tom’ directional errors and perhaps Hargreaves, the Hawley opener, would have wanted the match abandoned all together as Andy Jackson sent down a booming outswinger first ball which Chris England juggled like an acrobat in the slips before pocketing. A terrific start for Waltham was continued by Jackson’s new ball partner Rashid ‘The Rawalpindi Express’ Arif. To say that Arif bowled some unplayable deliveries is an understatement but it was a rank half tracker that netted him his first wicket as Bendall spooned up a chance to midwicket where Qadir Rasool took a finely judged catch. When Arif clean bowled Karaki, Waltham looked in firm control after 20 overs limiting Hawley to 40 for 3, thanks in part to some superb commitment in the field by Oli Brown and Dan ‘The 12 Second Prop’ Owen. Enter the genial 60 year old Tom Clay who rolled back the years and proceeded to despatch Jackson and Arif to the boundary. His onslaught was continued by Gentle who made a solid fifty and punished some wayward Waltham bowling. Both eventually falling victim to the dynamic Jackson who looked to have returned to something close to his best form. But if Hawley had a superstar veteran in there side, Waltham were not to be out done and the ball was thrown to Waltham pensioner Chris England. In a super spell of bowling, the miserly England gave very little away and finished with figures of 8 overs, 3 maidens for 16. He was ably supported by Faisel ‘The Fizz’ Shah who picked up 2 wickets in his 11 over spell. At the other end of the ‘experience spectrum,’ youngsters Rasool and Gavin Dampies came into the attack at the end to contain Hawley to 171 for 8 in their 45 overs. Waltham were disappointed to have let Hawley get away with 50 runs more than intended but the pitch was playing well and the Waltham batting was confident of the task ahead. Prodigal Waltham son Nick Philp opened with Ziggy Kiani. Kiani who looked to chance his arm early and fell victim to Miles for 1 after a missed place cut shot. Enter ‘The Fizz.’ Perhaps one of the luckiest innings of his illustrious career as Hawley seemed determined not to take any of the chances he offered up. Certainly being unlucky was Philp who, having taken a delivery in a sensitive area, found himself run out as he staggered around like a drunk at closing time only to wander out of his crease before the quick reactions of the Hawley keeper ended his return for a well compiled 12. Jackson and Shah put on an entertaining partnership with some scintillating drives down the ground to advance the scoreboard to 70 when Shah (34) and debutant Dampies fell in the same over to the big spinning Delaney. Waltham stand in captain Hill, joined Jackson (60 not out) to knock off the remaining runs and secure consecutive victories for the club. This was a well contested match played in very good spirits by two sides who will look forward to the return fixture at Waltham. Waltham will once more be in the secure hands of Paul Gearing next weekend as they look to extend their unbeaten run at home to Goring. |
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Read all the local reports in the Maidenhead Advertiser. Out on Thursdays. |
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