Full Match Scorecard
The 2nd XI claimed one of the more remarkable wins in Narkovian history, when they defeated Old Merchant Taylors 3rd XI by just 2 runs. At the start of the penultimate over, OMT\s required just 8 runs for victory with 4 wickets in hand. The first ball was then whipped through square leg for four, to leave just 4 more needed. Panic then set in. Angus Porter then claimed two stumpings, as the batsmen heaved in vain for the winning boundary.
The last over arrived with OMT still needing 4 runs, now with just two wickets in hand. The wily campaigner, Graham Dare, stood between OMT and victory. The first ball was played to deep cover, and Vos surprisingly accepted the single. This brought Shah onto strike. He aimed a wild cut at his first ball, getting an inside edge down onto his foot. No run. Could Shah hit the winning run? No! The next ball knocked back his leg stump, possibly off an inside edge. 238-9!
Now OMT\s last man, Doughty, came to the crease, with three runs still needed. Graham bowled again, almost a carbon copy of the previous delivery, knocking back the leg stump once again, to give Wooburn a wonderful, remarkable, most unlikely victory in this most difficult of seasons.
Graham finished the game off superbly, but the real hero, in a true team effort, was Derek Milsom. He followed a career best 122 not out, with a best bowling performance of 6-65. A herculian effort, particularly after breaking unofficial team rules the previous night!
At the start of the day, skipper Stuart Savage won the toss for the Narks, and opted to bat on a damp pitch. An early blow saw Angus out for 6, but a solid partnership between Derek and Rob Smith put Wooburn in a strong position. Rob played well for 29 before being given lbw sweeping.
Alan Cuthbert, returning to the side after his 1st XI sabbatical, began nervously, but survived and gradually found his feet once again. OMT\s bowling in the middle overs was not the best, and Derek and Alan took advantage, adding 104 for the 3rd wicket in 16 overs. Alan eventually fell for 60 trying to force the pace, but Derek continued on, reaching a well deserved hundred. He continued on until Sav called a halt after 51 overs with the total on 240-3. This turned out to be the shrewdest of shrewd declarations!
OMT\s started reasonably well against a weakened Narks bowling attack. From recent seasons, only Graham could be described as a regular bowler, but Wooburn makeshift attack of Dare, Smith, Milsom and (oh yes!) Savage far surpassed all expectations.
Rob Smith made the initial breakthrough, Gus taking a sharp legside stumping while the batsman slept, almost Appleby-like (no offence Dave). Gray and Shab, apart from the odd airborne shot, looked in control in taking the score to 137, before Gray fell for a well-made 79 to a juggling catch at cover.
At 161-2 with 17 overs remaining, OMT had the game in the bag, but the Narks were not finished yet. Those immortal words \good game to win\ were uttered, but it was a big ask. Bhelay top edged to short fine leg, and Sav, pressed into service, had Shab playing too early and took a fine caught and bowled. Just a taster of what was to come!
OMT skipper Shergold, in partnership with Khan, began to assert authority on the game once again. A succession of cross-batted shots, put the home team back in control. Shergold then received a ball that required a straight bat, and he was unsurprisingly found wanting. Palpably bowled.
What did OMT have left? Khan was still there, and new man Gordon played sensibly, taking the score to 227, but then Sav took a quite unbelievable catch at mid-wicket that broke OMT hearts. Jumping high and diving to his right, he pulled off a fantastic one-handed catch to remove Khan. Incredible! OMT\s spirits sunk. Gordon and Vos managed to take the score to 233, before the dramatic last overs saw Wooburn claim victory.
This was a superb team effort with every player giving their all in the field. Arran Shearer, quite literally, put his body on the line. Graham Milsom, Greg Lawes, Andy Cowan and Paul Smith, all fielded magnificently. The odd difficult catch went down, but nobody let their heads drop, and Wooburn\s spirit and determination came through in the end.
Celebrations ensued with possibly the largest jug of lager despatched by Narkovians in recent memory. A most enjoyable day.
