Full Match Scorecard
The 2nd XI finished the season at Hillingdon with that rarity, a genuinely enjoyable game of league cricket, and not just because of the result. The spirit between the two teams was excellent, unlike the majority of games played this year, and it is sad that Wooburn\s relegation means this fixture will not take place next season.
Once again, Sav opted to bat after winning the toss on a bone dry, dusting wicket. Hillingdon\s bowlers, Smith and Brown, found the conditions helpful, particularly the steep bounce from Smith\s end. However, Brown made the early inroads, squeezing a yorker under Angus\ bat.
The game temporarily changed character while Richie Harman unleashed some solid thumps through mid on in making 30. Derek, requiring a round 50 to average 100 for the season, fell just short in almost Bradmanesque fashion, holing out for 29. Still, 879 runs at 97.67 isn\t too shabby.
Sav and Alan both made starts, but fell to the left arm spin of Palmer, who finished with decent figures of 4-46. The Wooburn innings was in danger of petering out, but youngsters Wahleed Hussain and Dave Jordan grasped the opportunity. Wal stroked the ball beautifully in making a cameo 19 before a woeful misjudgement. After his dismissal, Dave played even better in making a rapid 37, and was particularly strong through the legside.
Dave\s departure at 198 put the maximum batting points in jeopardy, but Andy Cowan quickly allayed all fears by cunningly scrambling a couple of byes. Harps then took the chance to play a few shots, hitting two fine boundaries over mid on. Andy caught the mood, hitting his first run of the season, but soon after was caught at mid wicket. Wooburn 217 all out in just 41 overs, champagne cricket indeed!
Brown, the complete cricketing all-rounder, followed up his lengthy spell with the ball and stint behind the stumps, by opening the batting. He smashed one huge six before Wal slipped a yorker through his defences. Brown was not happy.
Opening partner and skipper, Hodgson, meanwhile looked solid in reaching 21, before the introduction of Harps into the attack. The breakthrough was immediate, but only thanks to the tremendous sporting behaviour of Hodgson, who \walked\ for a thin edge down the legside. Such honesty in these times is wonderful to see - did you get that OMT?
Seymour now came to the wicket and looked a class act, all solid defence and fluent cover drives. His partner, Palmer, remained becalmed until Derek\s spin tempted him into a drive that was well taken at cover by Arran Shearer. \Stan\ Lonsdale bristled with intent and clubbed one straight over Harps\ head, but the wily campaigner had his revenge, taking an excellent DBW return catch.
Hillingdon\s last recognised batsman, Gary Smith, wasted no time in setting about the Wooburn bowling. One huge six into the Manor House was followed by another almost into the churchyard, but then disaster struck for the home side. Seymour, who had lost his early impetus, went to drive Dave Jordan and holed out to Richie at cover. Soon after, Smith holed out to Rich at long on, and the game was up.
A second wicket for Dave Jordan, courtesy of a sharp Angus stumping, completed a morale-boosting win for the 2nds, but on this day, the real winner was the game of cricket. The match showed that it is still possible for two teams to play to win, while respecting the true spirit of the game. Well done Hillingdon!
