Wreccers show true Owls spirit

The Wrecclesham Owls recorded their 3rd straight winning draw against promotion rivals Bramley cementing second place in the process.

The mighty Wreccers, who are on an incredible 24 game unbeaten run, were a mere 4 runs short of what would have been a great all round performance.

The home side won the toss yet again and elected to bowl first on a track which was sure to be lively after some morning rain.

With the weather conditions slightly overcast the conditions looked ideal for the Wreccers attack.

Oli 'Ronaldo' Caston and Chris 'best batsmen in the league' Spooner settled into a good rhythm and restricted the home side well.

Caston struck early to remove Connor and with the ball swinging about well and some variable bounce evident the signs looked positive for the Owls.

However Ford (59) and Webb (45) forged a fine stand, batting patiently and riding their luck at times, with Caston in particular passing the outside edge regularly and creating regular chances.

To be fair to the duo the conditions were not easy and they must be given credit for sticking around under great pressure and helping the visitors to mount any sort of reasonable score.

Despite long periods of dominance from the home side Bramley had a platform and with 9 wickets in hand and were on course to potentially post a large total at one stage.

However Graeme '100 wickets' Larby (4-41) and Dan 'Boris Johnson' Vasey (4-28) helped to keep things under control with some accurate bowling and regular wicket taking deliveries and in the end the away side had to settle for 176 for 9 from their 48 overs.

It was particularly pleasing to see Vasey return to form with a bang as he hasn't enjoyed the best of luck in recent weeks and with a much needed confidence boost and new look run up he will hopefully now go from strength to strength.

A fine tea was taken by all and with the WAGS back to a full compliment following Caroline's arrival home, the Wreccers knew they could approach the task with confidence having all the support they needed to chase down a decent total.

A good start was vital for the Owls and despite getting the score board ticking early on Neal 'Hamstring' Harris was back in the hutch after rather unfortunately playing on to a length delivery.

However Wright then set about the Bramley bowling playing with a freedom and elegance that has typified many of his innings this year, taking the game to the visitors and pushing the home side ahead of the run rate in the process.

However despite a fine 37, consisting of 8 boundaries, Wright departed to a fine swinging delivery and the Mighty Wreccers were, as ever, doing things the hard way.

With the ever reliable Chris 'the rock' Windeatt batting grittily on a lively track the game was really in the balance.

Therefore when he and the influential Spooner fell within 5 overs of each other and the score on 75 for 4 the home side had it all to do.

Joe 'Paul Collingwood' Boniface held up an end as he and Caston tried to consolidate for the Owls what was looking increasingly like a tough ask against a consistent bowling attack.

Caston (22) had just started to get going as the pair put on 35 but was unlucky to hole out straight to the fielder off a full toss which in fairness was there to be hit.

With the game right in the balance Vasey Jnr was sent in to try and accelerate the run chase but his shot selection deserted him as he skied a length ball straight down the throat of the long on fielder who took the catch with a minimum of fuss.

It was therefore left to Boniface who had started to push things along a little more and the returning Ben 'the young stalwart' Pound to ensure first of all the winning draw was secured and then if possible, push for the win.

Boniface and Pound forged a similar partnership (of 50 odd) to the Bramley pair and with and array of defence, attack and good running between the wickets had assured the winning draw and put the Owls in with a chance of a fine win.

With 17 required from the last 2 overs a win was a feasible proposition when once a losing draw might have seemed more realistic at one stage.

Boniface managed 8 from the penultimate over as he and Pound gave it a real go but with light fading remarkably the Wreccers came up agonisingly short for the third week in a row.

The Owls host Chiddingfold next week where a win, in any shape or form, would be most welcomed.

Afterword by Joe Boniface

Well done lads, again a valiant effort and yet we are left disappointed by what might have been.

We have shown great character over the last 24 games and it is now being tested to it's maximum, but we are hanging in there when it counts.

It's great to see the lads digging in and we can take great heart from these performances, the positive is that we are putting distance between ourselves and our closest rivals.

We have undoubtedly the most talented team I have ever played in at Wrecclesham and it's up to us now to take things to the next level and push on.

There is a fine opportunity to do just that next week against Chiddingfold and we must make sure we do everything we can to take it.

An enjoyable game as ever gents, well done and I look forward to seeing you all next week.

Bring it on!

Twit Twoo