Wrecclesham secured a deserved and convincing 169 run victory over an under par Grayshott II's side on Saturday, picking up a valuable 10 points in the process.
The Mighty Wreccers have now gained a maximum 20 points at the recreation ground this season as they continue to make home advantage count.
The Owls, who were boosted by the return of the mercurial Chris 'Uzi 9mm' Spooner, were asked to bat on a firm looking track following Skipper Boniface's 4th loss of the toss out of 5.
With the overhead conditions a little over cast a watchful start was required as the hosts looked to build a big total.
Boniface's dismissal after a mere 8 deliveries could have triggered (in there just for you Batesy!) panic in the camp but James 'Napier' Wright and Matt 'MB is he on E?' Parkinson consolidated well before the latter was well caught for 14.
Where Parkinson had failed to go on Wright could easily have followed after a remarkable series of dropped catches where 3 chances were put down off successive deliveries from the luckless Hannam, who bowled a decent spell down the hill.
You make your own luck though and Wright capitalised in the grand manor.
A classy, powerful and altogether dominant innings of 123 was just reward for some fine batting.
Wright was well supported firstly by the returning and ever dependable Spooner (33), who had landed at 6am that very morning and then by Chris 'The Rock' Windeatt (34*), who is approaching something near his very best form with another not out against his name, as the home side had a bit of a dib at the end (Henry Bate 10, AC 200% strike rate!)and wracked up an intimidating 246-6 from 46 overs.
After a fine tea was taken (take note students!) the Mighty Wreccers took the field in confident mood knowing that the bowling side of things had been their strength in recent weeks.
Oli 'Bondi Beach' Caston and Dan 'Bionic Man' Vasey opened up and both found enough life in the wicket to provide optimism for the Wreccers.
Optimism for the visitors was also in good supply as despite the odd ball passing the bat and a number of presentable chances being uncharacteristically shelled Grayshott's opening pair of Ward and Thomas looked confident and took the game to Wrecclesham with a series of fine boundaries.
As is so often the case these days it was the indefatigable (the blog reaching a new intellectual plane!) Caston who provided the breakthrough as he removed Thomas's middle peg.
Ward was soon to follow in identical fashion (b Caston) and with the opening pair disappeared any realistic chance of winning the game.
Caston and Vasey (who bowled an economical spell - 9 overs for 26 - which was not exactly laden with fortune) turned the screw and the run rate diminished to a point where only two results became a reality.
Caston, who collected a well deserved 5-32, continued to bowl accurate line and length at a lively pace and found a willing partner in Chris Spooner (5-15) who belied his 7 month absence with a fine exhibition of swing bowling.
The pair were well supported in the field as the Owls picked things up towards the end of the game with Henry 'Granny Basher' Bate giving a wonderful exhibition of his own (to the surprise of everyone including himself!) behind the stumps, Suril 'Overseas' Patel covering the ground at a phenominal rate (only second to his speed at pulling on Saturday night) and Boniface and Collins chipping in with well taken catches.
Grayshott tried to drop anchor to salvage a draw but never put up any real resistance with no one other than the openers reaching double figures as the home side exerted their dominance, skittling the opposition out for just 77 in 32 overs.
The Mighty Wreccers face an in form Wood Street next in the I'anson knowing a victory in that game would put them firmly in the race for promotion.
Afterword by Joe Boniface
Well done gentlemen a maaaaarvellous effort all round as Richie Benaud would say.
Many positives to take from the game too.
Wrighty, a truly superb century and I am thoroughly delighted for you mate, really well played, more of the same please as you are more than capable and a class act.
Oli, once again you are mr consistent with the ball I am very pleased to see you getting your just rewards for some fine bowling with yet another 5 wicket haul, that 50 wicket target is looking quite small now!
A quick word for Windeatt also who as I mentioned is coming back to his stump kicking best, great to see.
Finally a word for Mr Spooner, welcome back bud, glad to have you back and also back in the side, with you in the team I genuinely feel we have the artillery to be 'pushing for promotion!' but in a serious sense! Great display with the ball, hard to imagine you hadn't played in 7 months and although understandably a little rusty with the bat (not to a point where you looked out of place at the top of the order mind) there is more to come on that front which bodes extremely well for the remainder of the campaign.
If we continue to play like this then who knows where we could end up at the end of the season, exciting times.
Up the Owls
Twit Twoo!
Ps Larbs you are a true gent, hour and a half drive there and back, no bat no bowl and it cost you £10, did I hear anything other than genuine pleasure at winning? No, a true club legend.
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2 comments:
Firstly...not the title I would have chosen but I guess it works! Secondly, I thought we were brilliant on saturday! Parky - you annoy me so much, you are a very very very good batsman you just need to learn a little self restraint! Wrighty - I knew me coming back would make you concentrate on batting but I didnt think it would make you show me a true masterclass in batting!! Mate, you were simply incredible! Windy, you deserve a mention - you settled the ship when needed and then went on an offensive that fully suprised the opposition - it really is great to see you getting back to your best and nice to see you having the confidence to play the shots we all know you can play! Henry, not going to lie....possibly the best batting performance of the season.......for you.....love how happy you are in the field and your keeping was amazing! Fielding wise i thought we were excellent...andy and suril I thought you were awesome...nothing gets past you! Oli, im so happy that finally you are getting what you deserve. Joe, I thought your catch was orgasmic...although had you stayed where you were you could have caught it normally....but then the simple catches are the hardest.....or so i believe after Dan's hard chance....but Dan i did think you bowled well you were just unlucky! Finally, my main man...Larbs. You are such a beast, a true gent and a true legend! One of the reasons I came back, having you in the team is truly comforting! Your knowledge and guidance when i bowl really helps me and I couldnt thank you more!
For me, its great to be back, I didnt like where we were in the league and to come back and dominate the team that sent us to div 4 three years ago really makes me happy. We are growing as a team and i really think we have a chance at promotion - I wont lie, I would be upset if we didnt go up. Anyway, Wrighty you deserve every accolade bestowed to you. You were outstanding! It is great to see you batting like I know you can....although that guy that dropped you on 13 was a complete mong....You made them pay for it! Well done lad! Up the owls...twit twoo!
Make no mistake if anyone thought that this year would be tough and are we good enough to be in this division, the answer is yes we fucking are. Well done to all on Saturday Wright, Windo, Spoons, Oli and Dan top performance from all, and Joe is right we all have our part to play and on any given saturday one of us will help to win a game, and for me it was worth driving an hour and a half just to see the goat impression and tales of wanking in your pants............
TWIT TWOO
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