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Whitchurch Wayfarers v Theale and Tilehurst

THE Whitchurch Wayfarers kick-started their annual cricket week with a superb victory over touring party Theale and Tilehurst.

After losing the toss Whitchurch saw themselves in the field in damp yet sustainable conditions. Theale refused to allow the weather steal a second fixture of their tour and started off in emphatic style!

The first over of the game saw B Barriball carted to all parts of the ground for 24 runs! Needless to say proceedings did not calm as Theale rushed to 100 off 9 overs before R Bone (3-28) steadied the flow. The youthful spin attack of Whitchurch completed their stint in the field conceding a hefty 280 runs.

With the target having been set Whitchurch started positively with Luffman and Hare posting a rapid 40 for the opening stand which included a towering six from Hare over the keeper’s head.

As wickets fell Whitchurch saw a number of healthy starts not converted — Sherrell 51, Bone 38, Jackman 33 and Kerswill 26 all making good inroads.

The introduction of V Barriball 57 upped the run rate but he was undone in the deep and the game looked buried.

With 11 needed off the last over, it was the unlikeliest of heroes to seal the deal as B Megicks hit the final ball of the game over point for four giving Whitchurch the win by one wicket.

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Whitchurch Wayfarers v Cornwall Over 50s

WHITCHURCH welcomed an ever impressive Cornwall over 50s side on a beautiful day for timed cricket.

Home skipper Alford won the toss and invited Cornish cricket stalwart Husband to field.

Whitchurch went about proceedings in an attacking manner as both Alford and Megicks made their first career 50s putting on over 100 for the opening stand.

C Barriball entered the crease after Megicks was caught and bowled and made light work of the tired attack, blitzing a rapid 96 before being excellently caught in the deep. Cotter shot a quick 40 before Whitchurch declared on 290-5.

Despite an early scalp from Kerswill (12-6-22-2) Cornwall batted sensibly and patiently against the young attack of Rich, Ord and Hall. Most notable was ex West Indian Joshi who made a beautifully sculpted 90 before falling to Ord.

With the bowling changes frequent, Whitchurch just could not pick up the required wickets to win the game as Cornwall finished on 203-6 saving a draw.

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Whitchurch Wayfarers v Harrow Wayfarers

The final fixture of the week saw Whitchurch welcome the ever fluorescent Harrow Wayfarers to another timed game.

Skipper Kerswill won the toss and opted to bat on what looked a good deck. Openers Bone and Jackman started well playing patiently but still putting the bad ball to the fence.

Veteran Credicott 39 and youngster C Barriball 47 crashed quick fire scores but Bone scored a chanceless 105 not out before retiring from his innings. Whitchurch declared on 271-7.

Harrow struggled to get going as quick and regular wickets fell to Megicks 2-15 Hall senior 29 and Tamblin 2-6. Despite this Harrow had their sights set on the draw and father son combo Jonny and Jerry Laxton batted watchfully for more than 20 overs seeing the game into the final over.

In this last over Laxton junior was stumped after one of the most attacking fields seen at Whitchurch. Harrow’s number 11 fended off the final three balls and the game was drawn as Harrow reached 125-9.