The 2nd XI slipped to a fifth successive defeat, this time at the hands of promotion rivals Windsor 3rd XI. In a game Wooburn looked to have comfortably wrapped up, they then proceeded to lose it, before again looking like winning, before ultimately falling just 4 runs short.
With showers around and on a damp, green pitch, Windsor surprisingly opted to bat on winning the toss. Richie Barker started things off for the Narks, quickly removing Ashraf lbw. Next ball, Murray edged a lifting ball outside off stump into the safe hands of Rob Rogers at slip. Wahleed Hussain then joined in, clean bowling Noble and Malik to leave Windsor 43-4.
Meanwhile, Dawson was going well, and was joined by Hartridge, who immediately got after the bowling. Batting was never easy, but Hartridge looked to be positive, while Dawson took on the anchor role. Danish Shah came on for Hussain, his extra pace causing the batsmen trouble, but the fifth wicket pair took the score to 105 before Hartridge spooned a catch to Graham Dare at mid on.
Rob Rogers was now operating from the other end, and bowled Alam when the batsman swung wildly. Dawson also fell to the Wooburn spinner, hoisting a full toss high to deep mid wicket where Rob Smith took a fine running catch. The Windsor innings then subsided rather tamely, the last 4 wickets falling for 8 runs.
Chasing just 140 for victory with 60 overs available to them, Wooburn were in good shape to put real distance between themselves and Windsor. Smith and Rogers opened the batting, and were untroubled against some mediocre opening overs. It was a surprise when Rogers mistimed a pull to mid wicket. Alan Cuthbert joined Smith, but Smith soon departed when Wigley got some extra bounce to take the shoulder of the bat.
Martin Tennant now came to the crease, and looked in good touch, taking three boundaries from one Wigley over. Unfortunately he could not keep it going, losing patience against the tight medium pace of Wigley. 55-3 and Imran Ishaq joined Cuthbert. These two now consolidated, conscious that occupation of the crease would bring victory. Both were watchful, while putting away the bad ball. At 98-3 the game was almost won, but Wigley then struck again, inducing a mistimed drive from Cuthbert.
Wooburn still had batting to come, but Ishaq’s departure at 109 suddenly increased the pressure on the visitors. A disasterous collapse followed, Wooburn eventually finding themselves 116-9, with number 11 Danish Shah striding to the crease. Shah, unaware of the tension, struck 18 from a single Hogdson over to take the score to 136. Just four more needed.
But it was not to be, Wahleed Hussain being caught behind off the third ball of the next over, giving the accurate Wigley his sixth wicket. Windsor celebrated, while the Wooburn players scratched their heads, wondering just how it had all gone wrong. This really was game Wooburn should have won but, despite the defeat, the Narks remain in 2nd place in the table, but with their lead over Windsor now reduced to just 6 points. A win over Hampton Hill is now a necessity if promotion is to be achieved.
