Wilton turned up at a smart looking WCG with a determination to break their 4-week losing streak. There were a few changes in the team with Jamie, Stu and Ben making way for the returning Pete, Wayne & Conor. There was also a temporary change in the captaincy. Andy stood in for the toss and successfully lost it with Andover elected to bat. Rob took over the on-field captaincy supported by the teams other old pros. Ian opened the bowling from the river end and the real skipper from the other. Ian was straight on the money keeping things tight and the real skipper sent down some quality deliveries one of which sent the openers off stump cartwheeling in the fourth over. The following over brought the second wicket; after a discussion between the temporary skipper and the real skipper the real skipper skipped to the gully and bagged a mistimed cut from an Ian outswinger. After 10 overs with the score on 23 Dilson and Macca came on first change, they continued the controlled bowling and Dilson collected the third Andover scalp when he trapped the no4 LBW. After drinks with the score on 54-3 Coner and Warnie came on to bowl. Both struck in their opening overs; Conor continued his recent good bowling form and trapped the No3 for 13, and Warnie went through his variation including bowling the No 5 for 12. With Andover on 57-5 Wilton had aspirations of only requiring a double digit run chase however Andover batted deep and brought up their 100 at the end of the 30th over. Ian and the skipper came back on to bowl their second spells. Ian continued to be very difficult to get away and ended up with miserly figures of 7-3-7-1. Dilson return brought instant success as the No6 feathered one into Nicks gloves (and it even stayed in them). The real skipper had the No7 well caught by Macca at mid off for 39; inspired by this wicket the real skipper started bowling like Mark Wood, unfortunately it wasn’t 90mph deliveries but falling over after bowling. Dilson cleaned out the No9 but Wilton couldn’t claim the final two wickets. There was a couple of chances at the end, but one was surprisingly spilled and then Nick and Macca did their impression of the chuckle brothers as the ball landed between them both. Andover ended on 157-8, a total which has been competitive in the last few matches at the WCG.
Wilton’s run chase kicked off in the sunshine, Nick and Rob started building a platform at the required run rate when both openers were removed in consecutive overs. Rob tested if Macca’s finger gad recovered for all it’s exercise last week and Nick dragged one onto his stumps with the score on 39. Pete and Andy started the rebuild and had progressed the score onto 68 when Pete played round a straight one putting further strain on Macca’s finger. Wayne wanderer to the crease focused on supporting Andy as they attempted to chase down the remaining 90 runs. The tactic of holding back Andy & Wayne from the bowling paid off and the started to knock of the runs. They passed the 100 mark in the 23rd over, Wayne was thoroughly enjoying Andy’s calls of two, rumor had it that Andy had gone out to bat without a box so he could keep up with Wayne’s running. Andy’s boundary hitting then rubbed off on Wayne who crashed one through point for four. With only 10 runs required Andy surprisingly was bowled for and excellent 74. The real skipper then came out to join Wayne who was no longer Wanye the Worm or Wandering Wayne but now Wayne the Wall. After making Wayne run another 2 the real skipper decided to finish things with a four then finally by hitting a maximum into the river.
It was a good spirited match which Wilton were able to return to winning ways by an excellent team performance. Ian’s bowling and Andy’s batting stood out but my performance of the day was Wayne who’s batting was his best ever for Wilton.
A thanks for Louise for the cakes & Jon for sorting the drinks. It was also excellent to see some previous Wilton players during the afternoon with Chris & family around during the Andover innings and John & Graham around to witness the Wilton batting.