Owls Flourish in the Wood

Wrecclesham continued their commanding start to the season with a 5th straight victory against a youthful yet talented Grayswood team.

With the club captain on a reluctant yet enjoyable break from the game, the duties of captaining the team to victory was left to Christopher Spooner. After a poor start by loosing the toss Grayswood elected to bowl, leaving Wrecclesham to bat first for the 2nd time so far this season.

The batting line-up looked strong with the potentially explosive pair of Spooner and Wright opening, albeit neither has yet to find their true form yet this season.

As per our usual start so far this season Wrecclesham were looking poor early on with Wright being accompanied back to the paviilion with daddles the duck after facing just 5 balls leaving the Owls at 0-1 after the first over.

Things did seem to look up when on strolled last week’s defiant batsman Hammy. However with some good bowling and an awkward sloping pitch, he was also dismissed rather rapidly leaving the score at 10-2. At this point it looked like the day for the new look Owls to experience their first defeat.

In walked Chris 'The Rock' Windeat. With him at the crease the Wrecclesham crowds and players alike felt sure that the defiant 'Rock' would steer us in the right direction. However to everyone’s amazement and delight, the most unlikely of things happened... Chris Spooner found his form!.. And How..

After 4 abysmal performances from the stand in skipper, Spooner showed his true class and love for the team by pulling off, what can easily be described, as his best ever performance in a Wrecclesham shirt.

The bowlers who seemed accurate and dominant were turned to mush by some fine strokeplay by the young and enthusiastic player. Spooner, playing beautifully, showed his intent by carried himself over the 50 mark with two exquisite 6's.

Spooner, ever the entertainer wanted to keep the spectators interested by playing out a heart stopping moment.

As everyone looked on in total disbelief, a big fat edge span in what seemed like slow motion to the slip who earlier claimed the wicket of Wright. The ground went silent, so silent you could hear a pin drop... or in this case a nice shiny red ball.

After many a fumble the ball came to rest on the soft grass beneath the slips feet. This proved to be a moment which Grayswood never recovered from.

After this sudden lack of judgment by Spooner, his poise and confidence suddenly returned as continued to play the game that had taken him to his 50. After some more excellent shot selections and placements, Spooner reached his maiden Wreccers 100 to the cheers and elations of all other 21 players participating.

Unfortunately, shortly before the ton, Spooner’s batting partner Windeat was dismissed ending a fabulous partnership of 88 (Windeat making a solid and well appreciated 9 to enable Spooner to play so flamboyantly).

The runs continued to flow from Spooner. While his next few batting partners failed to make a mark on the game, by this time the damage was done. Spooner finished a fine innings of 45 over with an outstanding 139 NOT OUT and The Owls finishing on a highly respectable 194 for 6.

At tea the tension could be cut with a knife with Grayswood, who earlier in the day seemed full of life, feeling like the game had slipped through their fingers.

With Spooner still on a high after his supreme batting display he decided to open the bowling himself and the exuberant and pacey Daniel Vasey... a decision which was to be an excellent one.

Vasey, in his first over, similar to the match at Thursley struggled to find much grip from the soggy crease and bowled some short and easily punishable deliveries, at which point he felt that today was not to be his day.

Spooner however found his rhythm well and bowled a solid first few overs. After this Vasey changed tack and came off a 4 step run-up, which proved, like the true Owl he is, a wise decision. He dismissed the Grayswood opener with a unplayable leg cutter almost knocking the batmen off his feet before the ball crashed in to the stumps.

Next was Spooner’s turn to prove he, along with Chris Rust of Kingsley, is a true all rounder taking a wicket with some tight swing bowling.

Vasey quickly replied with an excellently executed shorter ball which took the batsmen by surprise and carrying out an energetic forward dive to hold a catch which seemed well out of his grasp.

With morale in the camp high and the enthusiasm pumping, Spooner took another wicket with Chris Windeat taking a camera worthy catch in the slips, diving well to his left only adding to the misery of the Grayswood faithful. A matter of overs later Vasey took his 3rd of the day with a fine caught behind taken well by the ever economical Phil 'The Cat' Caine.

The game was swinging in Wrecclesham’s favour with the score sitting well at 44 for 5 from 13 overs.

The Grayswood middle order were not about to roll over and batted well lifting the score to 71 before Vasey dismissed his 4th victim of the day with another caught behind. It was then Wright's turn to join in the party with some excellent bowling and taking a thoroughly deserved wicket.

Vasey then finished off to produce an excellent 5 wicket haul with Hammy summing up a fine fielding display by taking without doubt the catch of the day and the season so far. After a short and somewhat punishable delivery, the ball rocketed for the boundary behind square leg with Hammy scuttling his way to his right. To the amazement of the Wrecclesham team, Grayswood batmen, and even last weeks hero Neal 'Hammy' Harris... he not only did exceptionally well to stop a boundary but took a quite remarkable catch.

The game seemed all but over and it was left to the guile and experience of Wreccers legends Graham Larby and Tony Boniface to finish off the tail with some excellent variation. Grayswood finishing on 124 all out after 35 overs.

Another solid victory for the Wrecclesham Owls, who face a top of the table clash against Dogmersfield next week.

Back under the capains wathcful eye if the Owls can produce another display like this and stay committed and united, few would argue why the Mighty Wreccers can’t complete entire the season unbeaten.

Match report by Dan Vasey.

Afterword by Joe Boniface

First of all I am truly gutted I missed such a great match!!

Congratulations Spoons, a fantastic achievement and one that we all knew you were well capable of mate.

Well done to Hammy (catch sounds superb - Will Buxton-esque) and Dan Vasey (Not very Pc but I am highly glad you got injured mate - funny how things work out) as well and a big thanks to Larbs and Dad who helped Spooner out when needed as well.

Let's crack on next week, a victory would put us in a tremendous position.

Up the Owls.