MATCH REPORT WG V BOURNE END 14 JULY 2009
BOURNE END 232-5, WG 238-6. WG WIN BY 4 WKTS.

The Bourne Ultimatum
A gusting wind whistled through the foliage and the Long-tailed Tits skimmed across the hedgerows as the teams assembled. As our usual skippers were unavailable, Goodyear gracefully accepted the responsibility - welcoming Ian Hall, Jake Lucas and Neil Thornicroft into the side. Having won the toss and concluded that WG had little to offer with the ball, he wasted no time in inserting the opposition.
Hall junior and Fellows Senior opened the bowling with style; Martin dismissing an opener with his first ball, Jamie clean bowling his replacement, and Wobbler calmly snaffling an edge at gully. Dave Williams replaced Martin and bowled excellently before retiring hurt and being eventually replaced by Joe “Cakes” Green-Powell.
Unfortunately (with the score 30-3) Bourne End fought back aggressively and ruined dreams of an early tea. Fraser (83) and Akhtar (114) played well and gained momentum (after both being dropped). They had little trouble exploiting the brilliant batting wicket - which could technically be described as a road. Despite some energetic fielding and excellent deliveries, the batsmen looked comfortable. Jamie managed to injure his dad with blistering pace, leaving Goodyear to assume the gloves.  
The carnage continued until Cakes let rip from the boundary to send Fraser back to the pavilion. Soon after, Lucas dismissed Akhtar with a stumping and Bourne End declared with a formidable 232 from 39.2 overs. Both teams enjoyed a surprisingly healthy tea which included a variety of fruit, vegetables and pitta bread! Mr Williams made no secret of being offended by the salad dressing.
After consulting the assorted multitude, the skipper sent Thornicroft and Lucas to begin the chase. After an excellent start, Thornicroft was bowled by a dipping inswinger from Scillitoe – who cunningly delivered the ball from several yards behind the umpire. After Scillitoe’s three consecutive maidens, Lucas (27), Chasseaud (46) and Healy (20) struck out to keep the run rate below double figures. After a stupid run out (Goodyear) and a not so stupid run out (Green-Powell  on 34), it was left to Hall junior and Wobbler to chase a seemingly insurmountable total... surely 44 from the last 18 balls was asking too much?
Obviously not. Wobbler set about the bowling with gusto – dispatching Proctor for 17 off the penultimate over. As the light faded, a deathly silence descended... only to be shattered moments later by simultaneous gasps of astonishment from the field and screams of delight from the pavilion as Hall junior smashed two glorious sixes and finished the job with a ball to spare! Unbeaten on 42 and 38 respectively, the heroes led the players from the field of play to much applause.
Post-match beers were enjoyed (mainly theirs), and Mr Williams was left out of pocket – having successfully incentivised Jamie to play a straight drive...
An entertaining friendly game with an exciting finish and memorable victory for WG. Well done to everyone who took part!
Disclaimer:
(Report may be entirely unrepresentative of what actually happened. Any reference to reality is unintentional)