WALKHAM Valley played host to Oddballs, a mismatched pairing that resulted in a strangely enjoyable evening. Expecting the worst, Walkham were happy to let the visitors bat first. The opening pairing of Snell and Johns fulfilled expectations, both retiring not out, Snell on 25 after a patient knock, Johns on 26 having slogged five boundaries including a six. Coming in at three, Whalley threatened a similar storm, only to be caught for 16 off the tempting bowling of Moule. Both Earle and Stone, batting at four and five respectively failed to deliver, falling for five and seven from the bowling of Hills and Spreadbury. Hewitt picked up his bat with more determination, scoring an unbeaten 26 and accompanying him, Kiddle was eventually run out for 22. The Oddball innings was wrapped up by Denney and Worth, both walking back to the boundary unbeaten. With the addition of extras, Oddballs put on 152 off their allotted 22 overs. Walkham sent in Hills, this time accompanied by Moule who scored only five, bowled by Denney . Joined in the middle by Ward, the resulting pair played confidently enough though, as it resulted, with insufficient result. Hills was bowled by Hewitt for 23, two runs short of retiring not out having hit three boundaries, one a maximum. The next to walk out was Harry Barnes, who survived a couple of overs scoring two runs in the process before being bowled by Earle. Following him in Barnes senior managed a run more before being caught off the bowling of Whalley. Yet the fall of the elder Barnes was the cue for the entrance of the younger Spreadbury, holder of last season?s batting award. And he wasn?t about to disappoint. But before that, it was time for Ward?s demise. Having hit three boundaries, the last a disputed maximum that was listed as a four, he was snaffled off the bowling of Johns for 23. This brought in Smith who hit a well timed square cut for four. For by this time Spreadbury?s bat was swinging. In seven scoring shots, including three sixes and a four, he put on 25 in short time and still managed to walk off disappointed having completed a not out innings. The remainder of the Walkham innings was mute in comparison. Smith added another two, and Baxter four, but in the process Oddballs accounted for another three wickets. Though surviving their full 22 overs, Walkham managed just 103, compared to Oddballs 152, but with the younger Spreadbury?s dash and the expected return of Berry, the team remains buoyant.
