Match Report - 1xi vs Vandals (h) by Matty D

7 from 8.

Wick 1XI: Jackson, Hibberd, O'Mahoney+, Raza, Mackie, Davies*, Sayce, Tughral, Whinney, Kennedy, Ewen.

Weybridge won the toss this week and decided to bowl. Davies had alreday decided he would bat anyway. The deck was hard, the sun was out and we were confident of bowling Weybridge out whatever we had to defend.

Jackson and Hibberd opened up, keen to progress the score along wherever possible. Hibberd especially keen to hit through the line and the score ticked along comfortably until Jackson got a decent yorker from the burly opener. He would end up bowling 18 overs straight and picking up 6 wickets - an excelent effort.

O'Mahoney then started like he always does - looking like $1m. He then got bowled. Raza then came in and bludgeoned a few sumptuous drives. before getting bowled. Hibberd went as well. The score was teetering. Mackie looked like he was back to his old self, before running himself out. (He was back to his old self!). Sayce then played on. Davies looked comfy before being caught out by the change up ball. Basically things slowly fell apart. It was left to the lower order to get us up to 135, a total we knew we could defend (although was at least 50 short on a track, that, whilst not being heaven to bat on, was at least true enough for strokes to be played).

Teas - absolutely standard. No hint of variety. Hibberd did pass remark on the salami selection. 3 pieces per half bread bun. Perfect. 6/10, I cant give it any more. The sun may have something to do with it.

Kam: Do you think we should take the old ball? Start with Zammy and see how it goes?
Joey: We may as well give it a try
Tilley: In my experience it rarely works, but you're the skipper
Davies: We'll give it a go. In theory you cant really lose. Judging by last weeks results a decent spinner could be a good option early on.

Kam takes the first over. Short and wide. Slash. The ball flies to second slip and Kennedy juggles it like......a juggler....and nabs it inches from the turf. Celebrations ensue. Zamm from the other end was unplayable. From 9 overs he went for one boundary, and this with no-one at cover and only a deep square as a boundary fielder.

However, Kam was the one to benefit, as Weybridge felt they had to make the running against him. He got one bowled. Another lbw. Add in Zamm's wicket - a ligthning stumping from Boney, and we were laughing at 30-4.

The Wick then started to drop catches. And Joey was the main culprit, with able assistance from Hibberd. 30-4 became 60-4 and things were hotting up. After Hibberd was given the one over to see if he could break things up. He didnt manage ait and the guns of Joey and Whinney were summoned.

New ball.

Ball 1 from a length flew over Boney and was lost for 15 minutes. Facing the prospect of having to use the old ball to continue (DBW had locked the cupboard that stored the balls). Davies had given up hope, only for the ball to be found. Game on.

After a few choice hits off the new cherry, the vital breakthrough came, with Hibberd this time catching the ball at mid on. The came the fireworks.

8,9,10,11. All b Ewen. Hard and fast. Viscious. Ruthless. Like a ginger Torro he flew into the Weybridge tail and we all knew it wouldn't be long. 87ao. Ewen 5 wickets.

Thats 7 from 8, and we've yet to really bat well! It will come. With all teams flying, the spirit throughout the club is infectious and the 1XI are benefiting immensely.

MOM - Raza. 3 wickets and 3 dropped catches off his bowling. Whilst he gave his wicket away, he was still 2nd top scorer. Ewen was close with a viscious spell.

Next week's oppo? Irrelevant.

[Here a Tilley ruminates the wisdom of taking the old ball after the game on Matty D's sofas]