SATURDAY 6 MAY - ALL MATCHES RAINED OFF

SATURDAY 13 MAY

1stXI
SULHAMPSTEAD & UFTON, HOME
RESULT: MATCH TIED

Waltham Tie in Ding Dong Battle

Having lost the toss and being invited to bat on a hard wicket, Waltham openers were struggling with the swing imposed by Philips (12.5.30.4) and Godfrey (12.2.44.2). With Waltham reeling at 23 for 2 after 14 overs, Waltham Skipper, Dave oddie (70) and the youthful Ben Simpson (53) put on 118 for the third wicket in a controlled acceleration of the Innings. The partnership was broken by Gill celebrating his 18th Birthday by removing Simpson. This bought to the Wicket Phil Baldock whose remarkable innings, during which the ball disappeared to all parts of the ground and ferocious speeds, was ended two runs short of his 50 on 48 when he was caught going for his 6th 6. Waltham closed on 215 for 8 and from a precarious position at 23 for 2 now looked in command.

The Sulhamstead innings started slowly with Mitchell (10.0.38.1) terrifying the openers with his pace. The Sixteen year-old should have had a wicket in his first over had Oddie held on to a sharp chance at Slip. Steve Enfield (12.1.51.1) was not quite at his consistent best, but with this being the first league game of the season one can expect to see a return to his nice tight line over the next few weeks. Baldock (12.3.44.2) having shone with the bat, now had his chance to do so with ball having not bowled since the 25th June 2005. Had it not been for Gill (53) taking a fancy to a few Baldock deliveries, his figures could have looked even better. Barret (7.0.40.1), during a steady spell removed Gill as he played on. With Sulhamstead 6 Wickets down and needing 74 runs off of 12 overs it was always going to be a tight finish. Despite the Composure of Mitchell and Enfield in the last 8 overs, Sulhamstead relied on the levelheaded batting of Moore (35*) and Creek (28*) with the scores tied off the last ball of the game.

Next week sees the Waltham 1st XI at Home to Kingslcere.

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2nd XI
PURBROOK III
RESULT: BWCC LOST

Waltham 2 's put up a fight

After winning the Toss and deciding to field on what turned out to be a flat batting track Waltham worked hard in the field. Purbrook started well and when the opening partnership reached 35 a thick edge by opener Marsh off the bowling of young Alex Burrows was snapped up by a diving Tromans which must take him back to his youth !! Bowen then bowled Dean for 15 and then a couple of difficult catches were dropped which allowed Garland the other Purbrook opener to eventually carry his bat through the innings for a fine 79 not out. Other quick fire contributions from father and son Colban's and Carrington enabled Purbrook to reach a fine total of 203 from their 42 overs with extras second highest score on 31 . Some fine bowling from the evergreen Duncan Parker (3- 51) and debutant Adam Lunn (2-18) were the main wicket takers .

In reply Waltham started briskly with the return from injury of Simon Jones and Ian Tromans (still dreaming about his catch) but at 68 Tromans was bowled for 16. Jones fell shortly afterwards for a fine 41 sking the Pugsley slower ball to the boundary prowling M Colban . A quick partnership of 27 between Bowen and Robinson took the total to 101 before Bowen holed out to the same combination for 23. Andy robinson added a patient 25 and other double figure knocks from young Guy Walker(15), Parker(11) and Lunn
(14) keep Waltham in the hunt for a while but eventually run out of overs at 181 for 8 .

A good start from a very much depleted Waltham side who face Bedhampton 2's away this saturday

nine points

SATURDAY 20 MAY

1stXI
KINGSCLERE, HOME
RESULT: NO MATCH DUE TO WATERLOGGED PITCH

2nd XI
BEDHAMPTON II
RESULT: BWCC WON

Waltham's Welsh/English army sink Mariners

In one of the only matches to go ahead on a rain soaked week-end, a strong Waltham 2s team travelled o’er hill to Bedhampton, home of the Mariners. The Waltham team possessed an awesome ability for close-harmony singing and sheep worrying with a team led by cuddly copper Kev Bowen and consisting of Welsh pin-up Ian Campbell and an opener with an unpronounceable name to anyone not either Welsh or Klingon, Meredddyddyddiddiedddgogogoch Hughes.

Losing the toss, Waltham were invited to bat on damp sticky wicket, the Mariners fancying their chances due to a late call up for a couple of first team players available due to cancellation of games. Hughes and the evergreen Ian Tromans opened up and saw off a particularly hostile spell of chin music from the quick bowlers King and Layman. Hughes was particularly severe once he had got his good eye in, hitting some beautiful straight 6s (straight over the watching cows in that particular corner of the pitch).

With runs at a premium Tromans was always ready to back his pace between the wickets, before being run out for a crucial 8 in a partnership that saw off the first team bowlers. ‘Keeper Matt Moss soon found a low one that rapped him on the pads as he departed for a duck, which brought to the wicket the mighty midget Andy Robinson, a player with a new lease of life this season. Robbo put his Scouse genes to good use, stealing runs when available, with Hughes moving past his half century before not quite catching a short ball and holing out to square leg.

Welsh eye candy Baron ‘C.P.’ Campbell came to the crease, with the aim to raise the run rate, which was aided by some suspect fielding from the home side. Robbo was eventually deceived by some steep bounce (for him) from Bate the leggie and was stumped for 11. Bowen had a rare failure with the bat, getting a debateable lbw (aren’t they all) although Tom Scott nudged and nurdled the ball around to good effect for a quick fire 8 before being caught on the penultimate ball of the over.

Baron Campbell spanked the last ball for 3 (would have been a 4 if the long grass wasn’t wet), to finish on an unbeaten 19, and walked back to rapturous applause from the onlooking female section of the crowd, scenes reminiscent of the legendary WW1 batsman and Bryll Cream boy Bobby Tupper who played cricket at the weekend and shot the Hun during the week. Waltham posted a score of 117 for 6, a total that looked 25-30 runs short.

Mariners got off to a good start capitalising on the blustery conditions, hitting into the air making catching attempts nigh on impossible. Great efforts by James Ashton and Matt Heuze just evaded their respective clutches. Floppy haired lothario Ashley Mills picked up a stunning catch off his bootstraps following through on his own bowling to remove Pierce for a duck.

Marriott ‘Hotels’ Hussein was again unlucky as a few chances were grounded despite bowling well, but the introduction of Tom Scott proved inspirational. After a poor first over Scott produced an unplayable delivery to get rid of the dangerous Grayston, bowled for 29, and having Hovevy caught by the gangly Mills for 6. Hairy youngster James Ashton donned the alice band and accounted for Hopkins (11), while some uncharacteristic sharp fielding rocked the middle order.

Firstly a seemingly poorly adjudged attempt at a catch by Campbell turned into a brilliant run out, followed by a direct hit from James the Hair. Layman, a first team regular came to the crease and seemed to be taking the Mariners to victory until a jaw dropping piece of reactionary close in fielding accounted for him.

Ian Tromans must have thought his stunning catch at gully the previous week was a dead cert for catch of the season, until an even better catch was taken by…Ian Tromans. After snaffling the sharp chance Tromans danced a little celebratory jig, although his words were drowned out by the sounds of clicking coming from his good hip and one of his knees. Bowen and Mills mopped up the tail, reducing the Mariners to 88 all out, an excellent victory that had scenes not unlike those encountered at Rourke’s Drift. “Remember lads, don’t shoot ‘til you see the whites of their socks!”

SATURDAY 27 MAY

1stXI
AMPORT, AWAY
RESULT: NO MATCH DUE TO WATERLOGGED OUTFIELD

2nd XI
PORTSMOUTH POST OFFICE
RESULT: BWCC WON

Waltham's stamp on Post Office

Following their impressive win away in the drizzle last week, Jumbo’s boys played their first home fixture of the season. Losing the toss they were put in in damp difficult conditions, and the openers yet again set solid foundations.

Myfanwy Hughes and Ian Tromans once again saw off the opening threat, before Tromans opened up his mighty shoulders like a Canadian lumberjack, swung his entire frame in a beautiful parabola, only to see the ball feather the edge to the ‘keeper. Tromans was replaced by everyone’s favourite groundskeeper after the Scottish one from the Simpsons, Martin Livermore.

Livvy soon played his usual mix of lusty blows and caution, moving serenely into the 20s, while the other end, Melvyn Hughes was caught at gully off a shot right out of the top drawer, just a bit unfortunate that drawer was so high the ball didn’t reach the ground in time! Matt Moss came to the crease eager to put his duck from last week behind him, and was soon on his way with a mixture of boundaries, 1s and 2s, only to be undone on 18 by catching a ball on the sweet spot of his broken bat, which instead of flying over the boundary, ended up in the hands of the opposition fielder. Unbelievably good looking Welsh marine biologist C.P. Campbell joined Livvy, and they proceeded to put on runs before Livvy was adjudged lbw to a shooter for 22.

Bowen emerged and soon put the ball over the sidescreens to pick up the pace, but a brief cameo was halted when he toe ended a ball back to the bowler. Campbell and Mills added 30 precious runs before Campbell, despite being deceptively quick (so deceptive, he looks like slug on Mogadon when running) was run out for 26. Mills smacked some juicy blows, and was ably marshalled by Andy Robbo. A score of 151 was posted; the bowlers had a job to do.

And do it they did. “Hotels” Hussein, so often unlucky, bowled beautifully, picking up 3 wickets for 13 runs in his 9 overs. Bowen and Mills picked up 5 between them, with hapless comedy granddad, Duncan “Donuts” Parker picking up the other, the opposition all out for 105. The Post Office team were sent home feeling distinctly second class.

SATURDAY 3 JUNE

1stXI
BASINGSTOKE & NH, HOME
RESULT: BWCC WON

Dalton destorys Basingstoke

Bishop’s Waltham First XI climbed to the lofty heights of 3rd in County Division three with a thumping 23-point, 69 run victory over Basingstoke and North Hants.

Winning the toss for the first time since England last won the World Cup, Waltham decided to bat on a sweltering day at Albany Road. Seasoned pro Ron Harvey and the dashing Rob Bailey went out business in a steady fashion before Bailey was removed for 12. Bailey was followed with a mini collapse seeing Simpson and Oddie departing for an additional 50 runs.

The evergreen Harvey (55) went on to top score for Waltham with this his first outing since August 2005. Mike Barrett carried on Harvey’s good work compiling an impressive 48* in his 17 overs at the crease. Nick Pink departed for a single boundary, which brought the dynamic Phil Baldock to the crease. He promptly proceeded to smash 43 runs before being run out off the last ball of the innings, with Waltham closing on 218 for 5.

Runs seemed to come easy for the Basingstoke openers with Boston taking the punishment with 8 overs bowled for 45 runs and 1 wicket. Steve Enfield managed to main a tidy line and came away with figures of 8-3-25-1. The run fest was soon halted with the introduction of James Mitchell and Phil Dalton to the attack. With Mitchell’s pace and Dalton’s nagging line and length proving difficult to get away the run rate soon began to increase. From this point it was a matter of time until Waltham won providing that they could hold their nerve. Mitchell certainly did returning figures of 6-0-16-0 in a lively spell and Dalton ended up with his best bowling performance to date in the Hampshire league returning figures of 11.3-1-38-5. Phil Baldock proved once again that he is dangerous with both bat and ball claiming 2 wickets for 15 runs of his 5 overs.

Waltham cruised to victory in the 38th over with a fine run out depriving Basingstoke with the additional batting point for scoring 150 runs.

Waltham travel to Ropley this week in a side affected by World Cup and work commitments along with injury. However the side will benefit with the addition to the side of Stuart Hogg.

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2nd XI
COMPTON
RESULT: BWCC LOST

There's trouble at T'Mills

After some rousing wins, Waltham were brought down to earth with a bump(kin) in the very rural setting of Compton. Winning the toss and electing to bat, Waltham got off to a steady start with the new opening pair of Microsoft Hughes and previous skipper Simon Jones, fresh from swatting Swanmore’s finest. A superb partnership of 95 was only ended when Jones, thinking of team before self, was out stumped for 49 in the 27th over.

With the sun shining, orders went for the run rate to step up, so Matt Moss entered to try out his new bat. A quick fire 27 was interrupted in the 35th over when Monsieur Hughes was out for a patient 31. Bowen, Campbell, Moss and Livermore departed trying to up the tempo, but the innings of the day was played by the walking fertility clinic that is Ashley Mills. Aggressive straight hitting brought him 54 runs and his 3rd unbeaten innings, again his beautiful assistant was Andy Robbo, the Debbie McGee to Mills’s Paul Daniels. 189 for 6 looked a little shy of a safe score.

Mills turned from destroyer with the bat to destructor with the ball, where he bowled Rosier with a beaut with his 4th ball. Mills, Hussein Nick Ward (in his first league game), Bowen and Scott all plugged away, but poor fielding, coupled with a solid Compton middle order, saw the home team win with an over and a half to spare, despite Waltham picking up wickets at regular intervals.

After this setback, some questions need to be asked? Should Bowen lead from the front by getting behind his boys by staying in the middle order? Is it time for a shake up to calm things down?

Will a spinner twist and turn things around to get Waltham back on the straight and narrow? Is it time to drop some players to rattle them so they wake up and settle down? If there is backward thinking taking us forwards, we expose the soft underbelly of our backbone to a defensive attack.

And, in a shocking twist, we may wind up with the things that everyone expected coming to pass. Now nobody could have predicted that.

SATURDAY 10 JUNE

1stXI
ROPLEY, AWAY
RESULT: BWCC LOST

Report to follow...

2nd XI
LOCKS HEATH III, HOME
RESULT: BWCC WON

Waltham find the key to unlock 'sHeath

Waltham won the toss on a hot day at Albany road and decided to bat (nothing to do with the football said welshman Bowen). But after some tight bowling from Locksheath 3's waltham were struggling at 50 for 4. This brought together Bowen and mighty atom Andy Robinson, a partnership that brought much laughter from the onlooking crowds as the end of over chats between little and large and the low 5's were exchanged .

In 14 overs and with some wayward bowling from Locks Heath the pair put on 107 for the next wicket until Bowen overstretched and ballooned an easy catch to the covers for 57. Runs continued to flow before robinson was adjudged lbw (by his former team-mate Mereydd Hughes) for 38 and then a wonderful 8 ball innings from young James Ashton put 24 on his total (4 2 4 6 2 6) which included a six off the last ball of the innings which james struck beautifully, placed his bat under his arm, and was half way off the square before the ball pitched in the rapidly rising second cut (or forest to Robbo I guess).

James' partner in the last few overs was the ever quiet Duncan Parker who also scored a fine 18 as the pair took the total to 220 with extras also making 55 (including 42 in wides). So a rather late tea was taken!

In reply new opening pair of Boston (the expectent father now playing only home games - rumour has it that a blue tooth earpiece will be in place for next saturday) and Mills made a good start with the majority of runs coming thanks to edges just wide of the slips.

Locksheath got to 46 for 2 before the wickets started to tumble and only Smith with a fine 47 offerred any resistence before being caught behind by Robinson (thank god he managed to hang on to one after a few earlier spills) off Boston who took 3 wickets in the 2 overs of his second spell to finish with 9 - 1- 25- 3.

There was 1 wicket each for Mills, Hussain and Parker and Bowen completed a fine day with bat and ball with 5.3 overs 3 for 12 . An important win for Waltham who now travel to Porchester next Saturday.

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SATURDAY 17 JUNE

1stXI
ROWLEDGE, HOME
RESULT: BWCC LOST

Report to follow...

2nd XI
PORCHESTER II, AWAY
RESULT: BWCC WON

Hughes ton puts Waltham on top at Porchester

A chancless 108 not out by maturing Welshman Mereydd Hughes was the backbone of the Waltham innings after skipper Kev Bowen won the toss and decided to bat . The opening 102 partnership was only broken by a fluke run out of the bowlers foot as Wymbs was backing up who departed for a fine 46.

The momentum continued with runs from Livermore (15) Moss (20) and a quick 50 partnership with Bowen (35 not out) which included the single to take Hughes to 3 figures. Waltham posting an excellent 241 for 3 with only D Noyce getting in the wickets with 2 for 38 off 12 overs.

In reply Porchester got off to a fine start reaching 56 for the first wicket before young James Ashton was brought into the attack and cleaned bowled Noyce for 26 . Bowen also got into the wickets with 2 wickets in 2 balls to send back father and son Jordan's . a fine 90 from opener Lance Tolliday and a late not out 40 from Biggs were the only resistance from Porchester who reached 195 for 8 at close of play. James Ashton was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 28 , and 2 wickets a piece for Hussain and Bowen . 23 points for waltham who face local rivals Curdridge next saturday

SATURDAY 1 JULY

2nd XI
HAYLING ISLAND, HOME
RESULT: BWCC LOST

Waltham almost toppled the Islanders

On another hot day and another winning Toss waltham decided to bat with a very much depleted team due to World cup and numerous non availability. But with a helping hand from the Hussain family and a late call to DACD we managed 11. Simon found himself with a new opening partner in the shape of Andy Robinson (thats how short we were). Together they put on a very patient 50 stand before Robbo was bowled for 14. This brought in Rich Emblen who upped the run rate and put on 102 for the next wicket before being caught on the long off boundary for an excellent 60. A brief innings from skipper kev B (aren't they always) of 17 and some fine striking from Simon took the total to 188 with Simon finishing on an excellent 70 not out .

In reply Marawatt cleaned bowled opener and Skipper, Mist with his first ball (what a day for him, 42 overs in the baking sun and a first baller !!!!) before Hayling added runs steadily to reach the 189 required for the loss of 8 wickets. Bowling was shared around with Marawatt 8-0-56-2 . Duncan Parker with an excellent caught and bowled manged 5 -2-9-2, There was a first ball wicket for Hassan Sarda who bowled 3-1-8-1 before a bang on the knee brought his spell to a premature close. Pick of the bowlers was Russ Phillips with 10- 1-31-3 . In all 10 points gained from a game that at one stage was very much in doubt and an excellent effort from those that made the numbers up. Perhaps now the football issue is over selection will be a bit easier in the future !!!!

Next week a trip to Farehaven

SATURDAY 29 JULY

2nd XI
US PORTSMOUTH III, AWAY
RESULT: BWCC LOST

Shocking batting as Waltham fail in Portsmouth

After winning the toss again on a bright afternoon in Portsmouth and what looked like a good batting track Waltham decided to bat. Mereyedd Hughes was given out caught at slip off his gradually expanding waistline. It wasn't long before tromans, Livermore(12- deserves as mention as second best score off the bat) and Campbell were all back in the pavilion. The stand of the match was a fine 27 between little and large with extras adding most to that. It was only Scottie who found some runs to add a brisk 20 before the total ended on a poor 95, of which 40 of those were extras. Some fine bowling from Rudder (11 -6 - 10 - 5) whose nagging slow bowling on a poor pitch was to much for us .

In reply US Portsmouth found it a struggle and a lack of good line and length from the Waltham attack made it easier for them . It was a difficult day behind the stumps for our own CP who even tried heading the ball in order to stop over throws from a direct hit, but a rather large swelling didn't stop him from remaining in post . In what was a poor performance all round only 6 wickets were taken with Alex Burrows 1 for 14 , Marawatt 2 for 26 , and a rather annoyed Skipper with 3 for 24 . We need a massive improvement as we enter the final month in order to reach a top 6 spot and Cowplain at home next saturday will prove a test as they hold a top third spot

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