Twoo's Enjoy Clinical Victory in Ten-a-side Match

For the first time in two seasons the Twoo's went to a match with only ten players. Holidays were in full swing as the sunny weather claimed the duties of Messrs Hall, Houghton, James and Bridger Jr. Nevertheless, Tony 'Il Papa' Boniface was able to call up a reinforcement from the well-known Wrecclesham farm system, i.e. the Pub. Sham, a bowler/wicketkeeper was called up for a debut.

The Twoo's traveled to the picturesque borough of Surrey Heath. Frimley Lodge Park was their destination and they could not believe their eyes as a the carnival had rolled into town next door! No over went by without the sound of fairground rides or the smell of hot-dogs and candyfloss wafting over the cricket square.

Peper Harow III who turned up with ten players also felt the shortage of players around this time of year. Once the toss was taken (bizarrely in the Away Changing Room) and Wrecclesham chose to bowl first, play was under way.

Both sides reverted to their trusted openers. Peper Harow started with Murray Rowland and Dan Saunder and Wrecclesham commenced bowling with Mitch 'Golden' Brown and Leo-Jak Carter. The two sides gave no quarter as the Wrecclesham pair bowled accurately and consistently while the two batsmen bided their time and blocked out the good balls. Peper Harow were restricted to around 1.5 runs an over. The constricting nature of the Wrecclesham bowling exerted more than enough pressure and M. Rowlands was soon sent back to the changing rooms by a inswinging delivery from Leo.

Nevertheless, Mitch and Leo could not bowl forever and James 'The Hangover' Merryweather and Scott 'Why does he think he resembles Usain Bolt?!' Newman were brought into the attack. James bowled with great discipline and never conceded a single bowling extra! Scott Newman added some spice to proceedings and his unpredictable deliveries were paying dividends! He bowled Dan Saunder with a ball that jagged back on to off stump and had N. Bhaiti caught by Leo (who catches anything not bowled by Mitch or Matt James). James Merryweather also joined in by trapping J. Andrews LBW, which according to the umpire, Peper Harow's captain, Colin Lock, 'couldn't be plummer!'

This brought to the crease the very talented Mark Andrews. He scored a half century against the Twoo's at the Rec earlier in the season. Wrecclesham were on their guard and spread the field out accordingly. The fielders worked so hard to limit his run scoring, that the debutant, Sham, had to hobble off the pitch having pulled a muscle trying to stop the ball.

However, when Mark Andrews was at the non-striker's end, Wrecclesham could make inroads. Scott soon bowled Neil Burden with a dipping delivery that clipped the bails off the stumps.

Peper Harow attempted to up the run rate by trying to hit every single delivery that came their way. Although this did succeed in raising the total, it meant that wickets would regularly fall to rash shots. Leo and and soon had Mitch were brought back on and took the prize wicket of Mark Andrews. Barry 'Treasurer to the A-Team' Croucher caught him at Deep Square Leg off Leo's bowling. Leo also had L. Bennett bowled and Mitch wasn't far behind bowling R. Bennett and having B. Elson caught by Tony Boniface, who showed everybody how to do it! Peper Harow were all out for 134 off 48 overs.

After an alfresco lunch, the tried and tested openers of Mitch and Barry strode on to the field. Mitch had been very unlucky two weeks ago, he was left 98 not out when rains forced the match to be abandoned, voiding his effort in the I'Anson record books.

Would he be able to repeat his performance and not have it robbed by the weather?

Well, yes actually. Both Mitch and Barry started cautiously, keeping out the bad ball and getting runs where they could. After 11 overs they had only scored 17 runs. However, from then on it was a roller coaster ride. Peper Harow were incredibly unlucky, but continued to play the game in a good spirit, the way cricket's meant to be played.

Mitch started 'upping the ante' and lashed out to any loose delivery. He did, though, ride his luck. He was caught off a no-ball and was also dropped around the 80 run mark. Mitch pressed on regardless, scoring 14 fours and 3 sixes.

Barry supported him more than ably, never giving a chance to the opposition, scoring 19 runs including 2 fours.

Mitch hit the penultimate ball for 1 run bringing up his well-deserved century and scored a boundary the next ball winning the match for Wrecclesham, Wrecclesham won by 10 wickets coming away with 8 points.

by the Ginger Owl