Twoos show real class

Wrecclesham Twoo's went from strength to strength at Fortress Recreation Ground on Saturday with a winning draw against Grayshott IV.

Losing the toss, Wrecclesham were put into bat, but like last week, they were without the indomitable spirit, strength and sturdiness of Steve Houghton. Nevertheless, the openers went in and got off to a quick start. Barry Croucher and Suril Patel immediately put the opening bowlers of A. Meears and Green under pressure going at 5 or 6 runs an over. When Barry departed, Suril was partnered with Mitch Brown and continued much in the same vein.

Grayshott had to change tactics to limit the damage and by 19 overs they had gone through 6 bowlers! The slow paced deliveries of Bowdery and Fry were originally seen as 'bread and butter bowling' by the Wrecclesham batsmen until Mitch Brown was out playing a loose shot off the bowling of Fry. However, by that stage they had amassed 92-2 off 19 overs.

James 'The Hangover' Merryweather came to the crease and helped Suril score runs at a rate of knots. Eventually, though, the two were removed, with Suril scoring an impressive 65. Grayshott smelt blood and reintroduced their openers of A. Meears and Green who displayed great accuracy sending Andy 'RHUL Poker Ace' Hall and Hayden 'I blame the helmet for everything' Newman back to the pavilion in quick succession.

The Wrecclesham tail needed to wag to make sure that they got to the 45th over. Thankfully this was done with Matt Spooner's quick fire 18 and finally, with 9 wickets down and at the start of the 46th over, Tony Boniface's call to score quick runs went to Peter O'Sullivan's head, who had his stumps splayed all over the place one ball later, making Wrecclesham's final score 198 all out off 45.1 overs.

Without the presence of Bernie Bridger, Peter 'Snitty' Richardson, Jonny Elworthy and Steve Houghton in the Wrecclesham bowling attack, Grayshott must have fancied their chances of reaching 199 runs off a maximum 44 overs. However, Hayden 'It's this helmet' Newman and James Merryweather answered the call and stepped up to deliver the first volleys against the Grayshott openers. The accurate, fast and devastating deliveries from these two prevented Grayshott scoring runs at a fast rate. The pressure finally came to head when Hayden 'I'm never wearing this helmet again' Newman removed two batsmen in two balls.

Wickets continued to fall, and the middle stump at the tennis court end was consistently knocked out of the ground until M. Heath and B. Ward came to the crease. They proceeded to score runs at a faster and faster rate. Their quick runs between the wickets exasperated the Wrecclesham fielders who were taking more and more risks to get them out. The throwing at the stumps was not backed up and the batsmen were regularly running 3's and 4's. Everybody in the Wrecclesham field felt that things needed to improve and more concentration was required.

The greater determination by the fielders paid off and M. Heath (41 runs) and B. Ward (38 runs) were out within a short space of time. At this point, Grayshott decided to shut up shop with only A. Meears, scoring freely - 20 not out. In the last remaining overs a greater intensity was felt, as the Wrecclesham field strived to take the last two wickets. Even Andy 'Podge' Partridge came on to bowl the last over. In the end, Wrecclesham and Grayshott came away with a well deserved 5 and 2 points respectively.

Written by the Ginger Owl