Match Scorecard

Match Report

Match Report

Wooburn Narkovians 2nds narrowly lost out to Stoke Green 2nds in a low scoring game that ended in controversy. With five runs required and only two wickets left, Stoke Green\‘s Omar Haq appeared to be cleanly caught at short mid-wicket. Unfortunately for Wooburn, neither umpire had a clear view of the incident and the batsman stayed at the crease to score the winning runs. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise exciting and hard-fought game, in which fortunes fluctuated throughout.



In damp conditions, a weakended Wooburn side managed only 136-9 after opting to bat first. The innings was built around a determined half-century from Paul Cuthbert, his first for two seasons. Angus Porter, Ben Roberts and, at the end, Derek Roberts, also made important contributions, but again too many of Wooburn\‘s senior batsmen failed to make an impact. For the visitors, Aslam bowled well to take 4-29 and Sayed took 3-40 with his left-arm spin.



Wooburn knew they had to make early inroads into the Stoke Green batting if they were to give themselves a chance. Richard Barker and Qadeer duly obliged, thanks to two sharp catches from Dave Rogers and Ben Roberts. Barker then removed dangerman Ahmed before Paul Cuthbert began a marathon spell at the other end.



At one point, Green found themselves 82-6 with two new batsmen at the wicket, but a dropped catch and some sensible batting from Akhtar and Holdship put them back in it. Barker returned to remove Holdship, and at 125-8 Wooburn again scented victory, but then came the controversy and soon after Green edged home. Cuthbert (4-41) and Barker (3-27) bowled well, but the 39 extras Wooburn gave away in the field proved crucial.