It Never Pours But It Rains

Wrecclesham 1st XI had to suffice with a losing draw against rivals Blackheath in a rain affected game.

The game was delayed by over an hour prior to commencement which meant that effectively it became a 68 over contest.

The nature of the delay had seemed to work against the Owls as at one stage the game looked to be heading for certain cancellation and the visitors never really adjusted mentally to the challenge thereafter.

Skipper Boniface won the toss and elected to bowl but Wrecclesham never really got to grips with the task in some less than favourable conditions.

Ol 'Bondi Beach' Caston and James 'Graham Napier' Wright never managed to excerpt any early pressure as the Blackheath openers Lowe and Brockman set about things in positive fashion and in particular punish anything short.

Caston found some rhythm and bowled a decent enough spell on a good batting wicket and he eventually removed Brockman but the writing was seemingly on the wall at that stage.

Dan 'Bionic Man' Vasey at least managed to master the conditions and bowled a fine spell which combined a lively pace with good accuracy and he was unfortunate to pick up just the one wicket.

But despite Vasey's best efforts it was the hosts who dictated the pace with Chase batting well and getting good support from Nash late on.

Wrecclesham were a little lacklustre in the field throughout and no one more so than Skipper Boniface who bowled a truly atrocious spell which allowed Blackheath to declare early at 193-2 from a mere 32 overs.

After a good DIY tea the Owls knew they had it all to do and with a few tactical changes to the batting line up to account for the overs lost Matt 'MB is he on E?' Parkinson and Wright took up the challenge.

Parkinson started in blistering form hitting 4 boundaries in the first 3 overs but it was a case of too much too soon as he mistimed one drive too many and was caught for 21.

Wright (23) and Caston applied themselves well in the fading light and despite being well placed after 10 overs neither were able to up the tempo to the required rate and the game swung back into the home sides favour.

When Wright edged to first slip and Dave 'Mind Your Windows' Vasey was clean bowled in the same over the win never looked likely and after the demise of Caston for 30 the returning Ben 'Stalwart' Pound and Chris 'The Rock' Windeatt lived up to their respective nicknames to see the game out and ensure the day was not a complete disaster and earn what could turn out to be 2 valuable points for the Owls.

Afterword by Joe Boniface

Well gentlemen, one to forget I feel but the conditions weren't exactly conducive to a memorable day for cricket so I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it.

The Skipper sets the tone and I was awful so I think we can just chalk it up to being one of those days, we just have to learn from our experience and next time execute things much better.

I also think the balance of the side as a batting unit was a little more defensive with a lot of support but lesser out and out stroke makers and so the reduced format didn't do us any favours in that respect either.

However there were some positives, Dan continued his good form and could well have had a couple more, Wright is inching back to form and in better conditions may well have racked up a big score, Oli batted sensibly to prove he is more than capable of stepping into the top order when required and you all got to witness my fine once in a lifetime bowling display so count yourselves lucky!

A win next week puts us in decent shape as we look to push on.

Up the Owls

Twit Twoo