The 2nd XI dominated their match with Kew, but were ultimately frustrated by Kew\s last wicket pair, who batted out the last 14 overs to earn a draw.
Put in on a flat pitch, Wooburn started badly, with the top order looking particularly rusty. Stuart Savage put a different complexion on proceedings, striking two big sixes, and helping skipper Jeff Morris add 74 for the fourth wicket. Sav\s dismissal triggered a middle order collapse, with young Abbot taking 4 quick wickets, albeit with a slightly suspect action.
Derek Milsom joined Morris, with Wooburn teetering at 116-7, but these two experienced campaigners proceeded to take control. Showing admirable patience, they wore down Kew\s enthusiasm, putting together a stand of 105 for the eigth wicket, the third highest in the club\s history. Milsom departed for a invaluable 39, while Morris went on to complete a fine hundred. The declaration came at 239-9 after 50 overs.
Kew struggled from the start, and proved to be especially vulnerable to the bad ball. Ashton pulled a rank long hop to Milsom, then Armistead sliced a full toss to Graham Dare at cover, who took an excellent catch. This was followed by Spratley, who was bowled ducking a high full toss. Ben Sturgess, the beneficiary of two of these wickets, then produced a beauty to have Goodwin well caught at second slip.
Graham Dare continued the agony for Kew, with a fine spell of 4-13 from eight overs. His wickets included the obnoxious Kew wicket-keeper Cerrar, who fell for the three card trick, falling into a well set trap and caught at short third man. He also removed the dangerous Watson, the only batsman who looked like making an impression on the target.
Watson\s dismissal, quickly followed by Rathod, brought the shutters down at 71-8 with 21 overs remaining. Wooburn were now frustrated by the quality of the pitch and their lack of real firepower. Patel, then Abbot and the veteran Tenn were able to keep the bowlers at bay, and prevent Wooburn from getting the 25 points they deserved.
The bowlers performed well, with Dare being the pick with 4-13. Sturgess picked up a career best 3-21, and Morris followed by hundred with 2-25. Rob Rogers failed to take a wicket in 11 mean overs, despite resorting to pies in the latter stages. The Wooburn fielding also deserves a mention, with only one sharp chance going down.
