Waltham
St Lawrence 2nd XI took the spoils from this local derby
and they just failed to gain maximum points by one wicket.
On a glorious summers day Twyford skipper Nathan
Eddy won the toss and put Waltham into bat. Openers
Connor and Trudgill were reunited at the top of the
order and they got off to a steady start with Trudgill
getting into his stride for 20 until he was run out
by his skipper.
Connor himself was next to
go as he was bowled through the gate. McGee looked in
good touch as he flicked Cooper off his legs for a series
of twos until he played back to a Nicholls off break
and was adjudged LBW.
Kiani joined England
at the crease and once again looked very assured until
he looped an innocuous delivery to mid off. Waltham
were in trouble but with a long batting order and Chris
England in good form there were few nerves as Burge
joined England to put on 30 for the fifth wicket. England
was merciless on anything short as he pulled and cut
with conviction. Burge then got into the act as he smashed
a beautifully timed pull to the boundary only to be
out moments later.
New boy Wilkinson then strode
to the crease and cashed in immediately to any loose
bowling as he hit two fours through backward square
leg. England continued the recovery at the other end
until he was drawn out of his crease and was stumped.
Thomas replaced him and again Waltham were looking
at a good total as he and Wilkinson played without worry
in a good stand of 40. However, the second run out of
the day put pay to Waltham's chance of a 180 total and
with Javed falling quickly Waltham had to be content
with 154 with Mike Thompson again hitting runs, this
time an entertaining 15 further pushing his claims for
a move up the order.
So with 155 to win Twyford
opened up in the face of some very good new ball bowling
from Nebbett and Javed who once the wides and no balls
were out of the system really piled the pressure on
without any success. It took a change of bowling on
14 overs to bring about the first success as England
got one to nip back and Smith was bowled. This brought
Eddy to the crease and he looked a class act from the
off as he hit England for two fours in one over. However,
England got his revenge as he bowled him off his pads
next over and Waltham thought they were in with a good
chance.
The next 20 overs was a game of patience
as England and Thomas toiled away and Twyford stuck
to their plan. However, with Wickets falling at steady
intervals Waltham entered the last 7 overs needing another
3 wickets. Waltham then got the break they needed as
panic running brought about the run out of Cochrane
and when England got Burke for a duck Waltham thought
the game was theirs.
Fort had other ideas
and he played a nervy last over from Nebbett to get
his side a draw.
This result showed a renewed
spirit in the WSL camp and will look to get a full victory
at Sulhampstead next week. |