Our 4’s played out a high scoring game at Whiteley Village on Saturday with a bowling heavy line up. Captain Rider lost the toss and was put into back leading to fears of a collapse but an opening partnership of 90 between Mike Vallis and Adam Hanley (54) laid the foundation for. Solid performance including an elegant 33 from Dom Rivers and a first club run for debutant Matt Maxwell. 165 looked defendable on a huge pitch but despite some tight bowling from Richard Lewis, & Dom Rivers Village were XX at drinks. A change of bowling to Jack Dunlop & Matt Maxwell got things moving, Jack Dunlop taking (4-37) including a hattrick opportunity complete with comedy field. Maxwell got his first club wicket with a ball of such confounding altitude and speed that the batsman swiped at thin air before turning in slow motion astonishment to find his stumps rearranged. Village kept on the pressure and it looked like the game would slip away before Andrew Bellwood (3-16) casually took a hattrick with a shocking full toss that somehow got the batsman plumb. Village nurdled their way to needing 7 off the last over, Dot, 4 and 2 singles meant scores were tied with one ball remaining. Tension rose but sadly a clip through the slips sent Weybridge to defeat despite taking 9 wickets and scoring 165.
A great effort from the team, especially the debutants, Jack Dunlop and hattrick hero Bellwood.