Match Scorecard

Match Report

Match Report

Wooburn Narkovians 2nd XI maintained their good form with a narrow victory over a strong Windsor 3rd XI, in a thoroughly enjoyable match, played in a great spirit. The result was in the balance right to the end, but Wooburn’s positive approach was rewarded when Windsor’s final wicket fell just 29 runs short.



Wooburn opted to bat on winning the toss, and much depended on their top order. Angus Porter and Derek Milsom proceeded to build a solid foundation in an opening stand of 98. The pitch was a little slow after overnight rain, and it was difficult timing the ball, but the batsman scored steadily against Windsor’s testing seam attack. Milsom completed a hard-earned fifty, before the visitors finally broke through, Porter lofting the ball to cover, a victim of the slow wicket.



This brought the in-form Alan Cuthbert to the crease, and Wooburn looked to increase the tempo. An early straight six signalled intentions, and Windsor soon found themselves on the defensive. Milsom (67) departed at 137, but Graham Dare (34) joined forces with Cuthbert (56). The batsmen seized the initiative to add 71 in 11 overs. Cuthbert was bowled in the 50th over, but Wooburn continued to push on, reaching 227-4 off of their 52 overs.



After Windsor had employed an all seam attack, Wooburn opened up with two spinners, the strategy immediately paying off as Windsor slumped to 15-3 and then 39-4. Peter Harper and Rob Rogers making the early the inroads. Windsor then rallied through Bradbury and their overseas player Kemp. The Windsor pair hit the ball extremely hard, and the hundred came up amidst a flurry of boundaries.



Graham Dare and Phil Cuthbert came into the attack as Wooburn took the new ball. Cuthbert’s pace had Bradbury in trouble, while Dare’s fuller length stemmed the flow of runs from Kemp. Cuthbert eventually bowled Bradbury (61), and then Kemp lost patience, skying the ball to the safe hands of Derek Milsom at cover.



Two suicidal run outs followed to leave Windsor in deep trouble on 164-8. To their credit, Windsor continued to push for victory, Griffiths and Wigley adding 34 for the ninth wicket, but the reintroduction of Rogers and Harper did the trick. Griffiths fell lbw, Wigley then drove Harper to mid off where Graham Dare held on to the catch. An excellent win for the Narks, that moves them to the top of Division 6A.