Yes, OV’s only had 5 men (3 senior Island Player, 1 Junior Island Player) but we have lost to 5 men before. Not only that but we also had 5 to start with due to Jamie Smith inexplicably not turning up. Thankfully Mitch was able to rush down and arrive in time for 5th over – much appreciated mate.

By then, Walkovers had lost the toss and were sent to field for the 3rd time in as many games and had made a positive start, Bouchard and Naylor both bowling well and making the batsmen play straight. Their tight figures from their overs showed how impressively they bowled – especially considering we had just three fielders for the majority of their spells. We were also right on our game in the field, Paul ‘monty’ Michel particularly impressive – pulling off a couple of top class stops. Rochey behind the stumps was again excellent, using his feet well to deal with anything outside the ‘channel’.

A change in bowler brought about a wicket – Patterson coming on and there was a wicket with his first ball, Sam Dewhurst wanting a run from the non-strikers end when there wasn’t one there. Quick fielding from Bouchard meant Sam was out without facing a single delivery which turned out to be a key point in the game and, as it turned out, our only wicket.

Paul Michel continued his impressive start to the season – following his 2 wickets in the first game with some tight bowling here. Bobby Minty could only take 3 runs (off the last ball) from Paul’s first over.

Without creating any further chances, Walkovers were tight and lively in the field and Mitchell’s appearance in the latter overs certainly helped.

Despite only taking one wicket, Walkovers restricted OV’s to 104-1 from 12 overs.
Bouchard 3-0-30-0
Naylor 3-0-24-0
Patterson 3-0-19-0
Michel 3-0-29-0
The job was only half done for Walkovers and the needed a good solid all round batting display, something that had alluded them for the first two games. It looked as though it may be 3 times following the first over where Bouchard departed and the score was 1 for 1 from 1. To be fair Sam Dewhurst bowled a great first over, spinning and right on the money and with his last ball made Bouch chip the ball straight back to him from one Bouch was trying to work into the covers.

Naylor and Roche then set about re-building by taking 12, 6 and 9 from the next three overs and thereby setting a base for the rest of the batsmen. Roche did a good job for the team, turning over the strike and Naylor looked a new man and new cricketer (where did we sign this guy from!?) with his glasses on. Roche then tried to force the pace of the game as we were a little behind the run rate and whilst creeping out of his crease, the cheeky wicketkeeper took the bails off – an easy decision in the end.

This brought Mitchell to the crease and after feeling for the first ball outside off stump, he looked comfortable too – working the bowlers through the leg side with ease.

Naylor, having played an excellent knock retired on 27 – bringing in captain Patterson who was in decent form with the bat after is 25* last week. He started well, knocking the ball on either side of the wicket – backed up well by Mitchell. Mitchell was playing himself in and appeared to think he had more time when he took just 2 from the 9th over – leaving Walkovers with 40 runs required from 18 balls.

The Patterson/Mitchell combination then took 14 off the next over from Pete Gough, and a further 13 from the first 4 balls from Sam Dewhurst’s over. Mitchell holed out looking for a big six but he had a done an excellent job in the middle order and we had batsmen to come – in strolled Paul Michel. He watched as Patterson worked the last ball of the over for two, retired, and Naylor return to the crease as the striker.

9 Runs then required from 6 balls, Walkovers had done brilliantly to get it this close and they were slight favourites at this stage – though Minty who was bowling the final over had conceded just 9 from his first 2 overs.

Normally in this situation a Walkovers side would take this to the final ball (as we had seen in an earlier game) but this time was different – a confidence oozed out of this A team side. Naylor walked across the stumps and played the ball comfortably for 3 on the leg side and then Michel hit his first ball for three, also onto the leg side – although perhaps not quite where he wanted it to go..

The coup de grace was performed by Naylor, flicking the ball again on the leg side for 3 more runs to take him to 33* and win the game for Walkovers. No drama, just a professional job by the A team who fully deserved the 10pts they gain for winning. The best thing about the win was that everyone in the side really played their part in the victory.

Walkovers come off the bottom of the 1st Division on the back of that result, lead by great team spirit. Top stuff.

Walkovers 105-3 from 11.3 overs.
Bouchard: - c&b Dewhurst 0
Naylor: - Not Out 33*
Roche: - st. Borg b. Minty 14
Mitchell: - ct. Minty b. Dewhurst
Patterson: - Retired 26*
Michel: - Not Out 3*