Match Scorecard

Match Report

Match Report

A match that ebbed and flowed throughout ended with the scores level, as the 2nd XI fought out an exciting draw with Teddington Town 2nds. Teddington appeared to have gained the upper hand when the equation came down to 13 from the last two overs, but a spirited over from Dave Small left 9 needed from Graham Dare\s final over. The final ball arrived with Teddington still wanting 3 to win. Thomas hammered the ball straight, but the batsmen had to settle for two, and the wrong end of a memorable draw.



The Wooburn innings started well, with Angus Porter and Rob Rogers adding 40 for the first wicket. The fast outfield gave the batsmen full value, and runs came at a healthy pace. Dave Small took advantage of the friendly conditions to plunder a rapid 55, 52 of which came in boundaries. A mini-collapse then left Wooburn in some difficulty at 144-5, but Martyn Dale and Jeff Morris steadied the ship with a stand of 44.



Martyn Dale continued to finish unbeaten on 64 in only his second innings of the season. After a nervous start, he began to find his form with some excellent drives and shots through mid wicket. Good running between the wickets helped keep the score ticking along. Chris Hall helped add 30, before he was unselfishly run out by a most unlikely direct hit, and then Graham Dare kept the momentum going in adding 43 in the last six overs. A total of 261-7 put the Narks in with a great chance of victory.



Teddington\s reply got off to a flier, thanks largely to Watchorn who hit through the line with confidence. Ben Sturgess made the early breakthrough, bowling the left handed Richards, but then the dogged Maxfield joined Watchorn. These two took the score past the 100 mark in the 24th over, before Maxfield was well caught at cover. Watchorn, starved of the strike for a few overs, lost his early fluency, and gave a couple of difficult chances before eventually holing out at cow corner. But 71 had put Teddington back in the hunt.



Patel and Gaitskell kept it moving along, but the bowlers always had a chance. Sturgess returned, and suffered at the hands of the South African Gaitskell, but he finally had his reward when Patel holed out to Dave Small. Smally then got into the act, when Gaitskell mistimed a drive and was caught at deep cover.



Teddington still kept going for the win, and Hull looked like he might take them home, until their tip and run tactics ended in confusion and a run out. Lehman tried to make up for his error in partnership with Courtney and then Thomas, but they were to fall just one run short.



The draw leaves the 2nds a healthy 13 points clear at the top and 38 points ahead of Teddington Town as the league reaches the halfway stage.