A memorable bowling performance
from Chris England laid the platform for what should
have been a victory for Waltham but it wasn't to be
as Knowl Hill fought back impressively to win.
On a glorious summers day Knowl Hills Brookman won the
toss and decided to bat and things were going well for
the home side as they reached 68 until England struck
having the obdurate Millson caught by Thomas. Previously,
Thomas had managed to temporarily remove opener McDermott
as he top edged a sweep shot into his face and left
the field with blood pouring from the wound.
This brought Crawcour to the wicket and he made hay
from Thomas' bowling, launching the spin bowler for
a series of towering sixes. Wickets however were tumbling
at the other end with the frugal England and then the
equally tight Railton restricting the runs and building
considerable pressure. Indeed, had Waltham held their
catches the outcome could have been much different.
As the experienced duo came to the end of their spells,
Knowl Hill were struggling on 123 for 7 but a superb
rear guard action from Depledge boosted the score to
199 after 45 overs.
Following a sumptuous tea, Waltham got off to a flyer
with Connor clipping duffy through square leg then through
midwicket for consecutive fours in the opening over.
Thomas then launched him back over his head for four
and Waltham were up and running. However, Knowl Hill
didn't panic and as both Duffy and Harrison tightened
up their lines scoring become more difficult and Thomas
was adjudged LBW and then Sharpe edged to second slip.
England and Connor followed consecutively and Waltham
were in a hole. The hole then became a cavern as Atkins
fell for a duck and Parker for three. Only Burge seemed
to be able to stem the tide as he struck some impressive
fours in other excellent knock of 27 until he became
D Brookmans only victim LBW.
Skipper Adam Brookman then brought himself on and inspite
of Nebbet's run a ball 8, the tail crumbled to a disappointing
85 all out.
This defeat was a real disappointment to Waltham as
they had worked for an excellent position then threw
it away in the last 10 overs in the field. |
