Match Scorecard

Match Report

1st XI fall short in run chase

An unbeaten century by James White just failed to secure victory for the 1st XI in an exciting finish at Stoke Green 1sts on Saturday.



Chasing an imposing target of 242, Wooburn were always up with the run rate as White built solid partnerships with Dave Rogers (who made 25), Steve Blandford (52) and Dave Pidgeon (20), assisted by some poor catching – a feature of both innings.



At 218-2 with six overs left, needing just four an over, the odds strongly favoured the batting side. However, after the dismissal of Pidgeon, subsequent batsmen found it difficult to pick up the pace, particularly against the medium pace of M.Hussain, who had settled into a tight line and length.



Three wickets fell quickly for only a handful of runs while, at the other end, White was frustrated by a deep-set field. At the start of the last over from Hussain, the visitors still needed five to win. It proved too difficult a task, as only three singles were forthcoming, leaving White unbeaten on 116 and Wooburn a tantalising two runs short of victory.



Earlier in the day, such a testing target had seemed unlikely as Rowan Friend and James White bowled tight opening spells to restrict the Stoke Green batsmen. Friend, in particular, bowled with good control and, with a little luck, could have finished with better figures than 3-54.



As the innings progressed Wooburn’s later bowlers struggled to contain the powerful hitting of Gillham, who profited from a couple of missed chances to reach a fine hundred. R.Hussain rounded off the innings in style with 16 from the final three balls to post a score of 241-5. It proved to be an illusive target.