Match Scorecard

Match Report

Nagalingham inspires Datchet

The 1st XI suffered their first league defeat of the season as they failed to defend a total of 200 against bottom-of-the-table Datchet 2nds at Wooburn Park on Saturday.



On a slow wicket and outfield, the top six in the batting line-up all chipped in to help Wooburn set a challenging target for the visitors. Dave Rogers (54) and James White (32) did the early work with a second-wicket stand of 64, while Angus Porter (35) and Steve Blandford (39 not out) added the impetus in the later overs that allowed the home side to declare on 200-6 in the 50th over.



Wooburn were aware from their encounter the previous season that the Datchet reply would rely heavily on Nagalingam and so it proved. While his team-mates contented themselves with survival, aided by a couple of missed slip catches, Nagalingam kept the visitors up with the run rate almost single-handed.



With the medium pacers only able to pick up one wicket between them, Wooburn skipper Phil Day turned to his slow bowlers. Blandford immediately slowed the scoring rate as his first eight overs went for just 11 runs. However, it was Rob Rogers who struck first to remove Furness.



The game swung Wooburn’s way when Blandford was finally rewarded with the key wicket of Nagalingam, who sliced a soft catch to gully having made 87 out of the score of 131-3. Another wicket for Rogers and a run out saw Datchet slip to 144-5.



Harris and King then compiled what proved to be a crucial 30-run stand, taking the target down to 27 from five overs when Harris fell to Blandford for a well-made 36. A couple of clean hits from King took the pressure off Datchet and they were able to steer their way home to a four-wicket win with eight balls to spare.