WSL plumb new lows

Having had to cancel their 2^nd XI game against Peppard due to ten players not being available, Waltham St.Lawrence hoped to secure victory in their 1^st XI fixture against lowly Hawley at home. But an inept batting performance led to a humiliating 68 run defeat.

Waltham opted to field on a pitch that looked like it would favour the bowlers but the opening attack of Jackson and Arif struggled to find their line. Although the Hawley openers, Karki and Delaney, found runs hard to come by, they provided a solid platform for the visitors.

Only a superb throw for a run out by Chris Burge broke the partnership. Karki soon followed, lbw to England but Clay and Gentle(46) steered Hawley towards three figures. Good bowling from Lugthart (3-13) and Johnson (2-12) halted the run flow and reduced Hawley to a modest 133 for 8. This total should have been even less had Waltham held vital catches.

Hoping to find the wicket more settled after tea, Waltham were soon surprised by the variation and movement achieved by Hawley opening bowler, Richie Miles. Openers Owen and Thomas were quickly back in the pavilion with only 5 runs scored. Things got decidedly worse when in form Andy Jackson edged to keeper Johnston.

Gareth Johnson applied himself to the task of steadying a sinking ship and Hill looked to have the measure of the bowling until he was dismissed to a dubious lbw decision. With a paltry 30 runs scored and 4 wickets down, Miles continued to cut through  Saints’ middle order to leave the Waltham innings in disarray.

Only and entertaining cameo from Matt Nebbet and Johnson(24 n.o.) carrying his bat, enabled the score creep up to a miserable 65 all out. Greater application all round will be needed if WSL are to stop the rot.

scorecard

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