Waverley returned to Rudgwick for the last game of the season, with Mog managing to persuade the home skipper to let us bat first (primarily so he could have his lunch). A slightly reworked batting line-up saw KV open with the Love Badger and Brewer junior seemed to relish playing at the top of the order, making his way to a half century with relative ease. Rafa seemed content to let KV get on with things but was eventually out for 20, probably down to Mrs Rafa opening a Crunchie bar on the boundary. Baby Lion swaggered out at number three, but Waverley were soon two down as KV edged one behind for 67. After weeks of watching masterful innings after masterful innings from IV, Clyde got in ahead of his batting nemesis and proved that anything IV can do, he can do just as well (some text book shots and clean striking in his innings of 67 not out). After a couple of narrow escapes, Rhino eventually went for 31 but there was still time for IV to add another not out to his average, with Waverley finishing on 238-3 at tea.

238 was always going to be a difficult target for the home side to reach and they weren't helped by the loss of two early wickets, Gaz making Poppy the Panda proud with one of them and Cozy bagging the other. The third wicket featured an outstanding catch at leg slip from Cozy off the bowling of Gaz, the bewildered batsman flicking a leg-stump full toss straight into the big man's hands. Cozy then bagged a second wicket for himself, a good catch behind by the still stricken IV. Egon struggled as his usual length was standing up and just asking to be hit, but Mog held on to an airborne cover drive to take AC level on total wickets with Hoagy. At the other end PB also seemed to struggle with the pitch, but overcame these difficulties by claiming the remaining five wickets and seeing Waverley home with two overs of the twenty remaining. A deserved man of the match award went to KV (although it could equally have found its way to Clyde or PB), while the ears AND the pink hat went to the Badger of Love (although the hat could easily have gone to Eggert for some obvious cowardice off of PB's bowling).

So there we have it! A season that started back in April has included many positives - the Love Badger was unbeaten as Saturday skipper, Jim Jam and IV battling to see who could score the most runs, a first club five-for for Eggert at Alfold, the Bandit's 50th career wicket and the teas at Odiham to name but a few. There has been the occasional negative - the run chase at Eversley and the debacle at Bookham particularly stand out - but without a doubt, this has been a good season for Waverley in terms of results. The AGM is provisionally scheduled for its usual month, November, but further details will be made available on the website once details are confirmed. Only seven months until the start of the new season...

Odiham & Greywell

Waverley cruised to a nine wicket victory over a competitive Odiham side in their final Saturday game of the season. The Sunday skipper was away with the missus for their first wedding anniversary, while the Ugly Twins, Jim Jam and Bertie were also unavailable. But despite recent selection issues, Waverley were able to put out a strong team consisting of Johnny 'Young Winston' Harland, IV, Clyde, KV, IP, Rafa, AC, Cozy, Jamie 'Rolf' Harris, the Guv'nor and PB. With Rafa losing the toss, Waverley fielded first and with only ten players (with Rolf playing the good Samaritan to the victim of a road traffic accident). This meant Cozy and KV opened the bowling with IV keeping wicket. Big D's dependable pace, line and length yielded the first wicket when IV parried an edge behind to Young Winston, who took the catch with ease. PB was then introduced to the attack and was back to his best with a three wicket haul, which included a looping catch which Rafa clung on to at first slip. Egon seems to have saved his best bowling for the end of the season and his two wickets were just reward for his consistant line and length. However, a lower order partnership threatened to take the game away from Waverley in the final few overs. Cue the return of KV, who picked up two wickets in consecutive balls and was unlucky not to have a hat trick (the looping shot just evading the diving Rolf). Rolf bowled at the death from the other end and his persistance earned him a wicket, while Pedal Bin wrapped things up in the final over to leave Waverley chasing 186 to win from 35 overs.

Young Winston and IV started the Waverley reply (after another first class Odiham tea) and it was Johnny who got on top of the bowling early on, favouring the cover boundary in particular. IV has usually been the watchful batsman in an opening pair but seemed to cut loose in Jim Jam's absence, rattling his way to fifty with some textbook strokes for four. At one stage it looked like Waverley would make it home by ten wickets, but eventually it was IV who returned to the pavilion for 78. Clyde and Young Winston continued to push the scoring along and with four overs to spare Debs clipped one round the corner for two, with Johnny carrying his bat with 71 not out. With Sunday's game against Westfield cancelled, all supporters are encouraged to turn out for Rudgwick next Sunday, Waverley's last match of the season. Their new pavilion provides superb facilities for watching spectators, so if you are at a loose end, do try and come along!

Congratulations Simon and Claire!

Heartiest congratulations to Simon Brewer and Claire Silman, who announced their engagement this week after Simon proposed to her while they were at RHS Wisley. I'm sure all at the club wish them all the best for a long and happy future!

Elsted

Waverley's longest journey of the season took us to Elsted on Sunday. With IV, Bertie and Rafa all unavailable (Rafa was apparently 'pottering'), Cozy, Moxy and IP were recalled to join Mog, Jim Jam, Clyde, KV, Rhino, AC, Sweeney and PB. With the skipper winning the toss yet again he decided that Waverley were better off batting first in a 36 over aside game. But we got off to a sluggish start thanks to some tight bowling from the home side and although Jim Jam made a hard-fought 23, he was the first wicket to fall when he chipped one to square leg. Mog followed him soon after, edging behind to the keeper. When Clyde also went cheaply, the run rate was low and Elsted had the advantage. But a partnership between KV and Rhino helped the score along, with Baby Lion scoring 36 before he was out. Further runs from KV, IP and Cozy helped nudge us up to 156 at tea, but you couldn't help but feel we were 30 runs shy of a good total.

With only four an over needed, Elsted set about chasing down the runs. Gaz and Rhino bowled with their usual pace but for no reward (Rhino in particular being unlucky not to get a wicket or two). Step up Egon, who broke the opening partnership with a wicket in his first over. It's unusual to see Cozy used as a change bowler, but he was just as dangerous and picked up three wickets for himself. The Bandit then got rid of the other opener but although wickets were falling, the score continued to move along and a middle order partnership ended any hope of a Waverley victory with the home side eventually getting home by five wickets.

Rowledge

A strong Waverley side took on a youthful-looking Rowledge on a pleasant Sunday afternoon, with Jim Jam, Rhino and Clyde all back in the side following recent absences. They were joined by usual suspects IV, KV, Jerzy, AC, Mog, Eggert, Bertie and PB for this 40 over game. Having won the toss, the skipper was quick to decide to bat first on a pitch that looked flat and true. Wiggy and IV got us going and the former showed that anything short would be punished, with several powerful strokes to the leg side boundary seeing him race to 50 in just 14 overs. While IV played with composure at the other end, Wiggy kept up his big hitting before missing a straight one on 88. Clyde went out with purpose and continued to push the score along, but the second wicket fell when IV edged one behind while on 43. The Baby Lion was somewhat starved of the strike by Clyde, who looked set to add to his tally of half centuries before getting out for a jug-evading 48. KV came and went but Rhino remained to push the score along, with runs added by Jerz and a cameo from the Bandit taking the score to a competitive 241, leaving Rowledge 242 to win.

The early bowling from Waverley needed to be on the money in order to keep the score down and it certainly was - Sweeney bowled with pace and was unlucky not to take a wicket from his eight overs, but it was Mog at the other end who took three early wickets to knock the home side off of their stride. Bertie replaced Gaz at the top end and having fallen behind the rate, Rowledge had to take risks. It was in taking one of those risks that the ball lobbed up to AC, who didn't treat the watching players and spectators to a running commentary as he took an easy catch. Bertie also picked up a stumping and Rhino got himself a wicket to leave the hosts in all sorts of trouble. With runs to play with, the Bandit was introduced and after a shaky start he found his line and length (and was rewarded with two wickets). But a rearguard action threatened to foil Waverley and despite a wicket for PB, the game last longer than should have been necessary (aided by some dubious fielding). But Waverley managed to hang on for a deserved victory.

Bookham

A weakened Waverley side were soundly beaten on an overcast day in Bookham. The bowling was reasonably sound, with Gaz (one wicket), KV (one wicket), PB (two wickets) and Bertie (four wickets) bowling particularly well, whereas the Bandit struggled up the noticeable gradient from the Pavilion end. But some big hitting from the home side ensured a target of 201 to win for Waverley.

It was agreed by committee that not much shall be written about the batting performance. Only IV and Rafa made it into double figures and only 46 runs were scored off the bat. There was also a valiant not out for Loz (despite AC's best efforts to run her out) but suffice it to say that Waverley fell well short of the required total.

Abinger

A good draw for Waverley, who played the game with only ten men due to injuries, absentees and Jim Jam feeling ill. On losing the toss and being inserted, IV and Mog got us off to a steady start. However, the nature of the outfield meant that the scoring mainly came from singles and twos as anything along the ground was likely to come to a halt. Mog was the first to go, being run out for a hard fought twelve. A cameo from KV yielded 25 valuable runs before a thin edge behind saw him back in the pavilion, while Clyde and IV continued to push the scoring along before the latter was out for 58. With the Bandit coming in up the order at five (and getting locked in a battle of wills with the young wicket keeper), Clyde had to take responsibility for the big hitting and Waverley managed to reach their target score of 200 before Debs was out for 60 valuable runs. The spectators were then treated to the comedy batting of the Bandit and Rafa, with both standing at the same end on more than one occasion. But both managed to survive the final three overs, AC scoring ten and Rafa three to leave Abinger chasing 214 runs to win.

Mog and KV opened the bowling after tea and were on line straight away, keeping the scoring shots down in the first few crucial overs. It was Si who picked up the first two wickets, both batsmen finding themselves troubled by the pace and movement being generated and being bowled. AC replaced Mog and was economical despite struggling with his line and length early on. He was eventually rewarded with a wicket, the ball keeping low and hitting the Abinger captain's leg stump. Bertie had replaced KV from the other end and also got in on the act, knocking back the middle stump of another bamboozled batsman. PB replaced the Bandit and picked up a wicket with his first ball, clean bowling the batsman with a straight one. But the two new batsmen looked unlikely to throw their wickets away and despite a couple of narrow escapes they seemed somewhat untroubled. Dazzler and Loz had short spells in an attempt to mix things up a bit and both bowled well. But in the last over, Waverley needed five wickets from six balls and the Bandit (back for a second spell) was unable to deliver. But considering Waverley fielded with only ten men it was a good battling performance. Clyde was awarded the man of the match (or, Gorilla of the Game) award, Mog the Brokeback hat and Rafa the donkey ears (awarded for calamitous moments in the field).

Eversley

Despite several players being unavailable for selection (including the Ugly Twins, Cozy and Bertie), Waverley named a more than capable team to take on a strong Eversley side, the line-up being Jim Jam, IV, Clyde, Rafa, KV, Cousin Brewer, IP, the Bandit, Spen, PB and Mog.

Waverley fielded first in a 40 over game and with a noticeable shortage of fast bowlers, Mog and Spen led the attack. It should be noted at this point that all the bowlers did well, restricting Eversley to 188 by bowling good lines and lengths. Spen struck first, clean bowling the left-handed opener. Mog bowled a good six over spell, picking up two wickets for his efforts including a good take behind by stand-in keeper IV. PB replaced Spen at the end of his eight overs and bowled with his usual guile, not giving either batsmen much to hit. The Bandit replaced Mog and followed previous examples, bowling a consistent line and length that both kept the score down (mostly) and rewarded him with two wickets. KV was utilised as a bowler at the death but, despite bowling well, wasn't rewarded with a wicket. After a long mid-season lay-off, Pedal Bin was back in the side and bagged two wickets for himself as well as inducing a run out from his bowling (despite an interesting short range throw from Mog). This left Waverley 189 to win at tea.

After IV and Spen's review of the tea break (including a discussion on the benefits of salami and cheese), Waverley set about knocking off the runs. Jimothy and IV got the ball rolling, with Wiggy racing to his 50 in what seemed like no time at all and IV seeming immoveable at the other end. But a change of bowling did for IV, not quite getting his foot back into his ground and being stumped. Jim Jam followed soon after for 78, advancing down the track and edging one behind. With Clyde and Rafa at the crease, the game was delicately poised with Waverley needing five runs an over for victory with only four overs to go. But Rafa was run out following some confusion as to whether the ball had crossed the boundary line and Waverley wickets tumbled thereafter. With one ball to go, an unlikely eight runs were required and Waverley fell short by the narrowest of margins, only our fourth defeat of the season. The man of the match hat went to Jim Jam for his 78 and the brokeback hat to the Bandit, mainly for the commentary that went along with his dropping a sitter of IP. Dropping two other catches didn't help either!

Wonersh OFF

Due to players being unavailable for selection (I think that only three were available to play), Saturday's game with Wonersh is off. The next fixture against Eversley is unaffected and will go ahead at 2pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

Frensham

With the weather predicted to be miserable for most of the weekend, it was a minor miracle that this game even started. Waverley named several new faces in order to field a team, with Bubble and Rooksey joining us from The Bourne, Scotty in from Rowledge/Farnham Teachers and Stocky and Trist returning for cameo appearances alongside Rafa, KV, the Bandit, Bertie, Jim Jam and Cozy.

Waverley won the toss and fielded first on a real pudding of a pitch. With Cozy running late and Jim Jam lost, KV took the first over with Rafa deputising behind the stumps. Scotty bowled one over of spin before Cozy was able to take to the field, promptly falling down a pot-hole when bowling to highlight the treacherous nature of the pitch. With KV returning behind the stumps, the Bandit was given the nod and picked up a wicket in his first over, an inswinger that the batsman failed to pick. However the plaudits belonged to the other opener, who was hitting the ball to all parts. While his record knock of 198* included some fearsome hits, he was helped in no small part by a series of dropped catches: Bubble, Stocky, KV, the Bandit, Trist, Jim Jam and Bertie all missing chances at various stages of the game. Despite being unable to remove that batsman, Waverley did well with the ball. Scotty returned good figures and picked up a wicket for his efforts, the batsman edging a wider delivery onto his stumps. There were also a couple of run outs in the mix, the first coming from a good throw from Stocky with Bubble overcoming the confusing shouts of 'bowler' and 'keeper' to hit the stumps from three yards away, while the second saw a good throw from the deep by Jim Jam for Rooksey to flick the bails off at the bowlers end. Fear and trepidation greeted the announcement that Wiggy was coming on to bowl, but his first three overs in particular were outstanding, including a wicket maiden. However the score was trundling along nicely all the time the opener was in and he seemed to race past milestones before the home side declared on 266-5.

The rain had been falling on and off during the Frensham innings and had been constant for the last half an hour before tea (albeit light rain) and after leaving an extra fifteen minutes to see if it would clear up, the rain persisted and the match was abandoned at the halfway stage. With fixtures at Wonersh (Saturday) and Eversley (Bank Holiday Monday) next week, lets hope that some brighter weather comes along in the next few days.

Horsley & Send

Contrary to some dodgy weather early on in the day, this 40-over match was able to be contested without interruption. Having lost the toss, the visitors were inserted and for the most part, the bowling was tight. Rhino picked up a wicket from his eight over spell (the batsman electing to leave one that cut back sharply) and Moxy added to a good weekend by picking up two wickets for himself. But the real headlines belonged to Herb, who took 6-56 from his spell to limit Horsley to 180-odd.

Despite his heroics of yesterday, Jim Jam was unable to repeat his century as he departed early on. He was soon followed by Mog and KV but Rafa and the Bandit steadied the ship with a sedate fourth wicket partnership. When AC was clean bowled by the straight one, Rhino produced a cameo innings with the bat, dealing mainly in sixes in a knock of 29. When he was out stumped, the Bandit's mate from Uni, Stocky, got a chance with the bat. Despite having some box trouble when running between the wickets he had a decent first knock, making the Herald with eleven. But a lack of boundaries meant that more risks needed to be taken and Rafa was eventually out for a well-made 42, trying to push the scoring along. 53 runs from twelve balls was always unlikely to transpire but Gazza in particular gave it his best, if unsuccessful, effort and Waverley lost only their third game of the season by about 30 runs.

Normandy

It was a day of significance for two of Waverley's younger players. With Waverley batting first against a youthful-looking Normandy side in a 40-over game, Jim Jam and Moxy got the ball rolling for the visitors. While Moxy provided the calm, Wiggy provided the hard-hitting and it wasn't long before the latter added to his haul of half centuries for Waverley. The bowlers tried everything to break the partnership but a combination of good batting and good luck (Wiggy used several lives in his knock) continued to frustrate them. Despite the Sponge looking like he'd need oxygen if he had to run any more quick singles, Jim Jam kept pushing him and, despite a nervous spell from about 80 odd, he stuck at it to score his maiden century for the club (adding to his 1000th run for the club, picked up against Rudgwick). With that milestone gone, Jim began cutting loose and after several powerful strokes he was eventually un-done for an impressive 134 and the opening partnership was broken, over 200 runs after it started. Moxy followed soon after, finally running out of puff on 49 having stood in his second 200 opening partnership. The two Brewers were now at the crease and Brewer junior quickly set about the slow bowling, with no delivery safe from being carted. With one ball of the innings to go, KV slapped one to the boundry to bring up his quick-fire half century and set Normandy 268 to win.

Nearly seven runs per over was always going to be a tough ask and Waverley took no prisoners, Cozy picking up three wickets from his spell and Mog also notching one up (with a little help from the batsman's pad). AC also secured a personal milestone by notching up his 50th wicket for the club (having tried for three months to get the five wickets needed) and Bertie completed the rout with another four wicket haul. With Normandy finishing with only ten players as one of their number was called away, the innings was complete with the fall of the ninth wicket and Waverley won by 195 runs.

Bagshot and Thursley

Games seem to be coming in fits and starts for Waverley this year, with the pitches at Bagshot and Thursley both failing to dry out in time. But with August predicted to be far more summery in the south of England than July, hopefully we'll get a full month of cricket.

Ebernoe

With the forecasted rain not arriving, a full game was possible on a nice day for cricket. With Jerzy/Rafa otherwise engaged for the day, vice-captain Mog took charge and promptly lost the toss as Waverley fielded first. Ebernoe traditionally have a strong batting line-up and Saturday was no exception. But it wasn't long until Cozy claimed the first wicket, knocking over off stump. Devo bowled well (his first outing for several weeks) but was unrewarded and a short spell from the Bandit was similarly fruitless (the elusive 50th wicket taking an age in coming). PB was turned to and picked up a wicket, bowling his tricky line and length as usual and then the spinners were called upon. The sight of the Bandit underneath a skied chance off Bertie's bowling can't have filled the rest of the team with confidence, but AC surprised all by holding the chance. Moxy managed to bowl and wicket maiden during his spell, picking up two wickets in total and somewhat unlucky not to have four (nearly losing his finger to a caught and bowled chance and seeing Mog put down a sharp catch). But the runs had still come and Ebernoe declared on 220-5.

The Waverley response started slowly. Jim Jam, needing only 29 runs for his 1000th club run, seemed to be undecided about what shot to play and so just hung his bat out, edging behind for ten. Mog played his usual watchful innings and Clyde also started carefully. But once he got his eye in, the runs started to flow. After a good knock, Clyde eventually fell for a jug-evading 48. KV was due a good innings and, despite a couple of dropped chances, he set about the bowling with gusto, soon level pegging with Mog (who had passed 50 by this stage). By this stage the run rate was in Waverley's favour and with only three overs left of the twenty, KV struck the winning runs to finish on 84 not out, with Mog carrying his bat on 74 not ou and Waverley winning by eight wickets. With Charlotte's do already in full-swing, some elected to miss the post-match drinks and headed off to Aldershot. Photos of the occasion will hopefully be available soon!

Alfold

After a week of praying, a break in the weather finally came and play was possible against Alfold on Sunday (with Jim Jam noticing their website proclaimed that they serve the best cricket teas). A strong Waverley side fielded first and Cozy and Sweeney set about restraining the openers to only the occasional scoring shot. With the pressure building, GT got the breakthrough and quickly added a second to his tally. At 40-ish for two, the score wasn't looking too bad for the home side. But when the score moved into the sixties, chaos followed. Some aggressive bowling from GT saw him add three more to his tally (his first club five-for) and the ever-accurate PB also picked up a wicket. Two overs from Bertie saw him pick up the remaining four wickets and completed the Alfold collapse, losing eight wickets for seven runs and leaving Waverley chasing a gettable 72 runs for victory.

Alfold's claims of having the best cricket teas were not misplaced (with our own tea connoisseur Jim Jam especially impressed by the selection of cakes) and it was Knoxy and the aforementioned Wiggy who got the Waverley response underway. Knoxy was watchful to Jim Jam's expansive hitting, but just as the players of Waverley were contemplating a ten wicket victory Wiggy potted one to mid-on for a well-played 42. By this time the result wasn't in any doubt and, despite Knoxy being run out seeking the final run, Waverley cruised home to win by eight wickets. A quick conference between the captains meant that PB and Bertie got themselves padded up to contest a ten over aside beer match.

The Waverley beer match innings could be described as elegant and/or painfully slow (depending on whether you were batting or watching). With a top three of Herb, PB and AC the scoring rate was never going to be explosive, but they gave it their best shot and posted as score of 56, with PB and AC the only wickets. The bowling attack had an interesting look to it, with Jerzy opening and bowling surprisingly well (the only boundary being an attempted fast ball that pitched around about the umpire's foot). Mog saw the ball disappear to all parts of the ground during his over while the Bandit (attempting spin) was somewhat economical for a ten over match, also picking up the only wicket for Waverley (a catch in the deep by Jim Jam). The next over was rather interesting: despite keeping the ball on the strip and quite straight, Jim was despatched to all parts (including three good shots for six). However the shot of the day has to go to the number two batsman for Alfold, scoring the winning runs with a delightful reverse-sweep for four. But despite the minor set-back of losing the beer match, the day well and truly belonged to Waverley.

Blackheath

Despite an almost summer's-like afternoon, a week of rain put paid to play at Blackheath. While still looking bleak, the five day forecast now shows only light showers for the week ahead, so all fingers crossed for Alfold. Mog will be in touch to let you know who's playing. In the meantime, any suggestions of how to appease the vengeful rain god should be forwarded, in writing, to the Met Office.

Purbrook

Touch wood, the technology at Chéz Comical is now up and running again. The only thing that now seems to have gone SNAFU is the weather, with no play being possible at Purbrook due to it hammering down for three days. The forecast doesn't look too cheery for Blackheath either, but fingers crossed that play will be possible.

Odiham & Greywell

Despite the week's rain, the Odiham pitch was thankfully not adversely affected and a 40 over aside game was possible and with Moggy losing the toss, Waverley batted first. With Jim Jam freshly back from university, it was up to him and Jerz to get the ball rolling and they provided a solid start - a watchful innings from Jerzy and a hard-hitting innings from Wiggy. It was the former who was first to go for 27, followed by Jim Jam for a well made 41. IV is in a rich vein of form at the moment and proved it once again by making yet another half-century, ably supported by Mog. IV eventually went for 60, followed soon after by KV. By this stage, the Sunday skipper had moved into the forties and, despite much mincing, finally made it to 50. Waverley finished their innings soon after on 210-4.

Cozy and Sweeney got Waverley underway with the ball and a combination of raw pace and accuracy seemed to keep the run-rate in check. All associated with Waverley were left shocked when Sweeney took the first wicket (assisted by advice from coach PB), however the batsmen regained the initiative and the runs continued to flow at a steady pace. But Knoxy kept it tight from one end, toiling away for no reward as usual, and the Bandit bowled a seven over spell of banana-like swing bowling, picking up a wicket for his efforts. With Knoxy bowling his eight overs from the other end, Sweeney was reintroduced to finish his spell and picked up his second wicket of the game (a sharp catch from Mog at short leg). With five runs an over required, the batsmen started to take risks. Despite a wicket apiece for Bertie and Mog, Odiham got home in the last over, winning by five wickets.

Lynchmere

Saturday skipper Jerz won his first game of the season convincingly and even managed to win the toss. On the back of this first psycological blow he opted to bat. The wicket was still soft from the mid-week rain and there was enough grass on the track to allow for some movement off the seam but on the whole it was a good batting track. Jerz and MC opened for Waverley in the hot afternoon sun but scoring was predictably slow and the visitors were dented by the early loss of their captain. Mog came to the crease and the run rate seemed unlikely to increase. After much nudging and nurdling at the crease Waverley managed a run rate of 2.8 an over in the first ten but were largely untroubled by the bowling. MC shocked the team once more by hitting a second six in two weeks (top edging his pull shot but the ball just about cleared the line), but was the next man to fall a few overs later. Day and Pedal Bin (making his first appearance of the season) hung around at the crease to add valuable runs but the scoring was still slow. Day made the 20's before he was out, bringing Knoxy to the wicket, and IP followed a few overs later. After a quick calculation it was agreed that IP's 35 was about the same as he had managed in the whole of last season. The Waverley batting began to collapse, KV, The Guvnor and Cozy all getting out cheaply, but super tailender Bertie was on hand to assist Knoxy and Waverley declared on 157-8.

Waverley opened the attack with Big D and debutant Jamie Harris. Cozy caused the batting side problems with his pace and movement off the seam while JH relied on good old line an length bowling. Cozy took the first wicket of the day and JH immediatly drew level when he bowled their other opening bat with the first ball of his second over. The wickets fell quickly as Big D annoyed the square-leg umpire by refusing to leave the stumps knocked in place (finishing with his second five-for in two weeks) and JH claimed his second wicket with a sharp stumping from KV. A change of bowling came and Bertie claimed the next two wickets while PB struggled with the slope at the other end. Jerz decided a change of ends was needed and PB rewarded the faith shown in him by picking up the last wicket, Waverley cruising to victory having dismissed Lynchmere for about 70-odd. Thanks to MC for the match report!

Oakley

Once again, following a week of perfect, summery weather, the heavens waited until Saturday night to open and persistent rain throughout Sunday meant that the visit to Oakley was a washout. Predictably, the rain is forecast to continue until Saturday when we are due to be playing Lynchmere. Let's hope the weathermen are wrong!

Thursley

On a warm Sunday afternoon, the 'men' of Waverley made it two wins on the spin with a battling victory over Thursley. With the home side currently without a pavilion, the Waverley ladies didn't know where to look as the players changed by the side of the pitch. While this eyesore was proceding, Mog and the opposition skipper came to a gentleman's agreement that Waverley would bat first, on account of a weakened (and ten-man) home side. This didn't deter Jerzy from losing his wicket early on (no doubt knackered from playing for the Bourne the previous day, his team mates mused) but Jim Jam and Mog were able to build a handy partnership at the top of the order. Jim scored quickly and freely to make his second 50 of the season, but played on quickly afterwards. Hoagy's finger of doom spelled the end of KV, LBW for a duck, and Moggy's wicket followed soon after. Waverley were beginning to flounder (having gone from 90-odd for one to 99-4), with runs not coming so easily against some slow bowling and wickets continuing to fall: Knoxy lobbing one up to point, Cozy taking a swing and losing his off-stump and Sweeney doing much the same. The first six of the day came from an unlikely source, as MC played a Pietersen-esq slog-sweep over cow corner, but was soon out himself as his stumps disintegrated. The run rate had practically dried up but the Bandit and Devo pushed the score along. AC played a fine sweep shot for four ("I would have hit it for six!" said MC) alongside some textbook shots, while Devo relied on brute force (including a six which MC decided allowed him into the exclusive club of six-hitters). The partnership was brought to an untimely end when the Bandit, too slow off the mark, was run out and last man Bertie pushed the ball around as he played for his average. Devo was finally out in the last over leaving ten-man Thursley to chase a rather modest 147, Waverley adding about 60 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

After the tea break, Waverley took to the field and set about taking wickets. Both Sweeney and Cozy bowled with with pace and accuracy, making the most of the variable bounce and swing afforded by the pitch. But it was Cozy who struck first, claiming a wicket with his first ball after a good catch from Wiggy. Big D doubled his tally in the same over, the batsman finding no answer to the pace and movement of the big man. The next three wickets also fell to Cozy with some superb swing bowling. The first five wickets had fallen quickly but a middle-order partnership threatened to deny Waverley victory. While not looking like they would get the runs (thanks in no small part to some accurate bowling and some good fielding), they frustrated the visitors by keeping their wicket. Eventually the partnership was broken by Devo just as the 20 overs commenced and a second wicket fell soon after to the Master of Disaster. But another partnership was struck-up between two of the Thursley batsman, with neither man looking like giving his wicket away. After a lengthy but low scoring partnership Knoxy claimed his first wicket and with overs running out, the quicks were re-introduced and Cozy took his sixth of the day in the penultimate over (a good one-handed catch from Knoxy) to win the game.

Match report by Marcus 'have I told you about my six?' Carmichael, edited by Adam 'none of that Twenty-20 rubbish' Carmichael.

Medstead

A week of heavy showers, followed by a downpour on the Sunday put paid to this fixture (normal service in the cricketing world being resumed). Let's hope the weather stays cheeful for Thursley!

Hawley

With the weather forecast to break late on Sunday afternoon, Waverley minced their way to Hawley for another 40 over game, looking to claim their first win of the season and build on an encouraging display against Hook. Sunday skipper Mog evidently thought the team was in need of more fielding practice and tactically lost the toss to ensure that Waverley would bowl first on a pitch that made Rectory Road look like the Oval. Opening quicks Sweeney and Cozy bowled a tight first spell, with the Big Man picking up an early wicket. With Sweeney accurate but unlucky, Mog turned to master planner PB and sure enough he claimed a wicket in his first over (the batsman having no chance against the variable bounce). Having calculated his average, PB 'injured' himself soon after and had to leave the field, meaning that Egg-meister Mog had a chance to get in on the action. Sure enough, the batsman flashed at a wide one which was comfortably taken by KV. AC, the Southampton Stud (on a short leave from University), toiled away at the other end and had a couple of good LBW shouts turned down. But the Bandit picked up his first two wickets of the season with a catch from Mog and a catch off his own bowling, aided by an amusing-looking 'weetabix dive'. The Herbinator claimed himself a wicket and when a run-out, following a superb throw from Sweeney, further added to the wickets tally it looked as if Waverley would be chasing down little more than 100. However two hard-hitting batsmen put paid to that, with Bertie and the Sponge on the receiving end. But when Bertie finally deceived one of them into being stumped by KV it was left to Sweeney to pick up a well-deserved wicket to wrap up the Hawley innings after 32 overs, leaving Waverley to chase a modest 162 to win.

The Waverley innings got under way with Jerz and IV working the gaps in the field, Jerz seizing the initiative early on with some good stroke play. A solid start was brought to a premature end when Jerz played on for 28. But with IV still there and Mog unlikely to give his wicket away, Waverley were still confident of reaching their target. Some good running between the wickets saw the scoreboard ticking along at a reasonable rate and hopes remained high even when IV holed out for a well grafted 35. KV made a useful 18 before tweaking his hamstring and getting out next ball, but by this stage Waverley needed less than 40 to win. Mog and Sweeney knocked off the runs with no trouble, scoring 47* and 10* respectively to ensure that Waverley won by seven wickets. With the bowling and the batting echoing that seen at Hook last week and the fielding showing a marked improvement, Waverley deserved to be in high spirits after the game. The smiles on certain team-members' faces grew markedly wider with the news that the showers were fully functional.

Hook and Newnham Basics - the season starts here!

On a fine sunny day the Waverley 2007 season lurched into motion in a 40 over game at Hook and Newnham Basics. A sticky situation immediately ensued when Ryan was informed 5 minutes too late that the water was off and therefore the traps wouldn't flush. To reflexive cries of "useless tosser" Captain Mog won the toss and bowled. Gary and Rhino exploited the slightly variable bounce and Ryan was particularly unlucky when two catches off the same batsmen went down in his first two overs. He responded by bowling him, if you want something done... A tight opening burst ended with the introduction of the Wookie with his twirlers and Devo with his penetration. Despite the Hook batsmen looking to take the game to the bowlers (and the dropping of several more catches, a missed stumping, a whopping overthrow, fielders diving over the ball, etc etc) the rate had remained at 4 an over. Waverley continued to take wickets at reasonable intervals and despite it being early season everyone bowled well. Herb and Cozy then cut a path through the middle order with Si picking up a stumping before Ryan and Sweeney Todd returned to finish the innings. Hook made 218 and with a packed batting side on a flattish track Waverley felt confident of getting the runs.

In reply we got off to a good start with Jerzy's early season game for the Bourne leaving him warmed up and Jim's youthful exuberance leading to some big hitting. We were up with the run rate until we lost a number of quick wickets. Jerz was run out for 30 odd, Knoxy never quite got going before chipping to mid off and Jim going after a fine fifty. Si got in a quick cameo before being caught and Rhino was done in by a shooter. Moxy took one for the team (insert your own joke chaps), and was out cheaply trying to move the run rate up. By this point we were always going to struggle as we needed 8 or 9 an over. However Mog (using Jerz's box, 3 showers and I still feel soiled) had discovered the middle(ish) of his bat for once and with big Cozy giving it some tap in his usual style (nearly decapitating the bowler in the process) we looked like running it close. Unfortunately Cozy was cleaned up and Mog followed shortly after, leaving Devo and Sweeney to try and get 14 off the last ball which they couldn't quite manage. However it was a good match and an encouraging start to the season with bat and ball (just not in the field). Hopefully next week will signal the start of the showering season.