Possible Clues:

• "___ down the hatches!"
• Strip fixed to something to hold it firm
• Wooden reinforcing strip
• It's fixed to something to hold it firm
• Would sound like almost the last man in
• '-- down the hatches!'
• Securing strip
• Do this, perhaps, to give support to near to the end of the innings
• Wood strip to go in near the end?
• Wooden fastening strip