With the
average age of the Waltham Sunday team dropping with
every game the WSL future tore apart the Theale and
Tilehurst batting with an awesome display of bowling
and fielding. Matt Andrews opened the attack from the
Royal Oak end and was soon beating the bat with some
steepling bounce from just back of a length. It wasn't
long until he was in the wickets as Owen clung on to
a faint nick from Puri and Waltham were on their way.
After succesfully locating his kit Paul Harris
came on to bowl From the pavilion end and immediately
hit a good length as got some excellent carry from the
ridge. It wasn't long till he pitched the ball a little
further up and a fantastic off cutter rattled into Mead's
off stump and Theale were two down.
More was
to come from a now rampant Waltham as Matt Andrews had
the dangerous looking Osborne spectacularly caught in
the gulley by brother Jack.
The Andrews rivalry
was just starting to hot up as Jack came on to bowl
and how he responded to the hot pace set by brother
Matt. First White, then Holder were beaten by perfect
length balls then Codd was taken at point by Thompson
and Jack had a 3 for.
Everything was going
Walthams way as Theale were in deep trouble at 42 for
6. Opener Seghir however was still in and with Ahmed
they launched a rear guard action. Ahmed continued to
scythe through gulley and heave through the on side
with Kiani the unlucky bowler as twice, loose shots
whistled past the fielders. It took an amazing catch
in the gully by Matt Andrews to bring an end to Theale's
most productive partnership. He then came on to bowl
and cleaned up the tail to end with impressive figures
of 4 for 13.
So tea was taken and with Waltham
only needing 111 for victory confidence was high as
man of the moment Matt Andrews and Mike Thompson took
to the crease. Andrews took the attack to the Theale
bowlers from the off advancing down the pitch to hit
a series of lusty blows for four. Thompson at the other
end was starting to build a good innings till he was
undone by some low bounce.
Next in was Connor
who attempted to anchor the innings boring the pants
of everybody present as he allowed the batsmen at the
other end to score the necessary runs. Andrews was eventually
out for a well played 29 and debutant Alex Jones showed
some good touches in a short but entertaining innings.
Kiani then Jack Andrews took the score on with Connor
to within touching distance until a glut of wickets
left a nervy few minutes till Harris and Sharpe knocked
of the remaining runs for a good victory.
It
was really pleasing to see so many young players both
sides and indeed seeing them play such excellent roles
in the game. The future is bright.
Many thanks
to Theale and Tilehurst for a good game. |