Wargrave 3rd vs Ascot 4th

Wargrave 3s hosted Ascot 4s at the picturesque and mole (not that one) ridden Knowl Hill as Wargrave looked to continue their great start to the season. A truly special occasion, as the game marked a first return in 2 years for Freddie Lanch who, looking at the youthful squad around him, felt incredibly old until he noticed Ken Clark emerge, nose first, from the pavilion, moaning about something probably neither interesting nor important. All was right with the world again.

After a damp week in Berkshire, it was a definite ‘bowl first’ pitch, as thankfully the creases had already been marked up or the track would have been indistinguishable from the surrounding grass. With the Knowl Hill equivalent of the Champions League theme tune playing in the background; James Moss strimming, captain Scott Walker lost the toss. Wargrave bat first.

Jeffery (4) showed his younger opening partner, S.Warren (14), how a mature level headed opening batsmen should play by spanking a big straight four down the ground and then being bowled next ball. Lets all hope the young lad doesn't end up under Jeffery’s sizable wing. Next in at 3, for some bizarre reason, was Lanch (0).Side note: As an unbiased match commentator, who is definitely not called Freddie Lanch, it wasn't his fault at all, he had every right to try and cut one off his leg stump, it was the pitch that let him down.

C Hattey (2) didn't last too long, and was followed quickly by S Warren, leaving Wargrave in a precarious position of 32-4 with only 10 overs gone. A Hattey (19) and S Hands (33) were left with the rebuilding job. Once A Hattey was bowled, this brought star of the innings M Hattey (53) to the crease. M Hattey saw Wargrave to the end of the 40 overs before falling, however this showed his two young lads who the man of the house is... when Gill lets him anyway. 182-9.

After the two Michelin star birthday cakes for tea were consumed, J Warren (1-26) and S Walker (1-5) started Ascot's innings off and did a brilliant job of containing the opening batsmen with Walker taking an early wicket and K Clark picking up a run out after some strange calling from the Ascot Batsmen, because that's the only way Ken can run anyone out. It was two members of Wargrave next large crop of promising youngsters, A Hattey (2-34) and T Walker (3-19), who did the damage through the middle order helping Wargrave to limit Ascot to 71-8. T Walker especially, could barely contain his excitement in the field, but somehow managed to, by looking completely miserable every time he took a wicket, because life just isn't fair at that age, and no one else knows what it’s like.

Then it happened. Lanch (0-1) was given the chance to wind back the years, throw some WD40 on the dodgy shoulder, and bowl an over. Huw Thomas felt chills down his spine over at Falkland, as he knew something special was happening, and my god, what an over it was. The poor lower order batsmen, the poor young wicket keeper- his small hands just aren't built to catch something bowled at that force. I swear I am not Freddie. Following in his hero's footsteps, C Hattey (2-23) finished the game off for the hosts, with a cracking spell of right arm confusion. Is it a wide? Is it a wicket? We just didn't know until the ball was bowled. Ascot 4ths all out for 118.

Man of the Match: Freddie Lanch. Obviously. What an over lad