Possible Clues:

• Close securely (with "down")
• Piece of timber - willow perhaps - put up to secure
• Wood strip; fasten for advantage (on)
• Do this, perhaps, to give support to near to the end of the innings
• Almost the last man in to give strength to the side
• Close securely, say the hatches
• *Feed on regurgitated food
• Strip fixed to something to hold it firm
• Fasten down
• Sounds like someone at the lower end of batting order down to secure The Hatch