Wrecclesham Cricket Club earned an unprecedented third successive promotion on Saturday to seal their position in the I'anson's premier division.
The Owls, unbeaten Division IV champions in 2008 and unbeaten runners up in Division III last term have completed a quite remarkable treble by gaining promotion from Division II and entering Division 1 for the first time in the clubs history.
Saturday's 9 wicket victory over an under par Peper Harrow means that Wrecclesham now stand just 2 points away from clinching the Division II title in what would be a fitting way to underpin what has undoubtedly been a golden period for the club.
On a fine day in beautiful surroundings skipper Boniface won the toss and despite some calls from senior players to the contrary, opted to field on a good looking track and quick outfield.
It was a decision which was vindicated as quickly as the second over as Dan 'Bionic Man' Vasey continued his good form by picking up the valuable wicket of the consistent Bradley, clean bowled for 1.
Despite the early wicket Peper Harrow countered well with Trelfa (dropped by the daydreaming Board) finding the boundary on a regular basis, well supported by Diack in a dangerous 50 odd stand spanning 10 overs.
At 63-1 from 11 overs it looked like it could be a long day in the field for the Mighty Wreccers as Peper Harrow looked to pile up the runs.
However the introduction of Chris 'Colgate' Board paid immediate dividends as the Simon Cowell lookalike picked up 3 wickets in quick succession.
Firstly accounting for Diack (12) with a smart yorker, then outfoxing Trelfa on 49, bowling him with a flighted spinning delivery which the opener tried to smash into next week and finally having Singh caught by Jonny 'Mr Sociable' Elworthy on the boundary first ball to reduce PH to 72-4 in a what was a fraught period for the hosts.
With Chris 'I will never die' Spooner finding his range well at the other end and managing to keep things relatively tight in the process as the game entered a crucial stage with the introduction of the talented John Hebditch.
Thankfully the free scoring Hebditch was removed by a swinging Spooner delivery for a brisk 19 run cameo as Mitch 'Golden' Brown pulled off one of the catches of the season, a full length diving one handed effort removing the danger man and leaving Peper Harrow reeling at 91-5.
The hosts, even with the assistance of Matt 'MB is he on E?' Parkinson in the field, proceed to completely self destruct as Leather was needlessly run out for 0 and PH simply fell away with Chris 'the Rock' Windeatt finishing things with another fine catch in the slips to complete the home sides efforts at 115 all out from 36.4 overs.
Board, who bowled with great variation and skill throughout, completed a deserved 5 wicket haul (13-4-6-24), well supported by Spooner who returned very respectable figures from yet another unchanged spell (18.4-4-52-2).
After an early tea the Mighty Wreccers set about their task in confident mood as they looked to chase down a modest looking total.
Spooner and Board showed no mercy as the they looked to go on the attack from ball 1, punishing anything remotely short or wide and finding the boundary on a regular basis.
The dominance shown by the opening pair seemed to dent any self belief and hope the home side may have falsely harboured as they seemed to go through the motions.
The pair capitalised in fine style showing their ability with a high class stand of 90 in just 11 overs which put the game beyond doubt.
When Spooner was caught and bowled by the lively Hebditch for 48 it was left to Wright (7*) and Board to finish the job and the latter made no mistake, finishing with an empathic maximum to seal a comprehensive victory and ultimately a richly deserved promotion.
Next up for the Owls is a trip to local rivals Frensham.
Afterword by Joe Boniface
Gentlemen, to secure three promotions on the spin is a quite superb achievement and one which you should be very proud of.
It has been an absolute joy to play cricket with you boys over the last three years and if we manage to clinch the title on Saturday it will be a fitting end to another exceptional season.
The bond which we have developed as a club is unrivalled to my mind and a big reason as to why we have been so successful and that was simply magnified by the night out we enjoyed after the game, i'm pretty sure most of us had a (George) Ball.
Mitch, a quick word on a stunning catch which effectively ended the game as a contest, it is moments of magic like that which prove you are up to the challenge of the 1sts, welcome aboard mate.
Spoons, an all action display with runs and wickets to add to yet another high class and tremendously consistent season, keep it up and you will be a contender for players of the division yet again.
Boardy, another great effort with bat and ball, having players like you joining the club is a massive bonus and helping to take the club to a new level, I sincerely hope you consider playing regularly next year mate.
Let's make sure we finish the job on Saturday and get our hands on that trophy!
Bring it on!
Up the Owls
Twit Twoo
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8 comments:
The lack of comments on here is astonishing, just got promoted for the 3rd time on the trott and no one can be arsed.. You lot have changed!
Well what can I say boys! Didn't think we had it in us to make it 3 in 3! But it just goes to show how far we have come! It says a lot about everyone that we have managed to dominate 3 leagues in a row and hopefully we can compete next year in div 1! Big thanks has to go to Joe for leading us this far! Up the Owls and just remember none of this would have been possible without the support of people like George Bull!
Twit Twoo
Up the Owls!!!!!
Up the owls, twit twoo!
Lets go to Frensham and win the title down there.
In all honesty, didnt expect us to be where we are after that first game down at Lindford!! But well done guys - everyone has made a contribution for the team when needed throughout the season. Special well done to joe - 3 promotions in 3 years is pretty incredible and you have to take a large amount of the credit for that.
Div 1, here we come!
Who the fuck are Thursley 1st team
Who the fuck are Lurgashall 1st team
Who the fuck are Frensham 2nd team
And the Owls go marching on on on
Who the fuck are Lindford 1st team
Who the fuck are Peper Harow
Who the fuck are Witley 1st team
And the Owls go marching on on on
Who the fuck are Grayshott 2nd team
Who the fuck are Arford 1st team
Who the fuck are Wood Street 1st team
And the Owls go marching on on on
Who the fuck are Cody 1st team
Who the fuck are Blackheath 1st team
We’re on our way to the top league
And the Owls go marching on on on
Another great season lads! 3 seasons unbeaten at the Rec/Fortress is a great achievment. Agree with AC that after that first game I thought it would be a long, difficult season. I think the turning point was the second game of the season against Peper Harow -we were bowled out for 89, and then had the belief to skittle them out for 43 to get the big 10 points and the season up and running.
What I like about our team is that we have so many talented cricketers, and that people step up their game when the team really needs them. There has been some great chats on the field aswell. Mostly about Cheryl Cole, but it’s been absolute banter. Couldn't stop laughing during the Thursley game.
We should look forward to playing next season, and although at times it will be tough, if we play like we have been for the last few years we should be a match for any team. We've just got to remember that when it does get a bit tough then we need to raise our games, and battle for the team.
Let’s lift the title on Saturday!
Tsamina mina eh eh Waka Waka eh eh
CHAMPIONS!!
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