An under-strength Wooburn Narkovians 2nd XI turned their match with Farnham Common 2nds on its head to achieve a remarkable, and ultimately comfortable, victory over their local rivals.
After winning the toss, Farnham Common had no hesitation in deciding to bat on a hard, flat pitch at One Pin Lane. The hot conditions and fast outfield added up to a perfect afternoon for batting and the Common openers got off to a flier. Wooburn’s seamers struggled early on, but Wahleed Hussain posed problems for the left handed Mellish, and got his reward when the left-hander attempted to pull a good length delivery.
For a couple of overs, Jensen struggled to locate the ball, playing and missing several times, but the boundaries then started to flow and Wooburn turned to the slow bowlers to try and put a break on the run-scoring. Jensen passed 50 with a six off Pete Harper, but then carelessly lifted the next ball to Wahleed at deep square leg, who took the catch. Common’s second wicket had fallen at 125.
Jensen’s dismissal proved crucial as Pete Harper and Pete Selleck took a strangehold on the Common innings. Despite the near perfect batting conditions, the batsmen looked all at sea against the variations of the Wooburn spinners, and the scoring slowed to a trickle. As the overs ticked by, the home batsmen attempted to break free, and the wickets started to fall. Hind occupied the crease for a long time for his 16, and Bassi was curiously becalmed in making an unbeaten 20, the batsmen being unable to change the tempo.
Common’s final total of 201-9 was a triumph for Wooburn, who showed real character in the face of adversity, and no little skill. Common had no answer to a superb spell of slow left arm bowling from Pete Harper (6-62), well supported by the off spin of Pete Sellect (2-58).
Wooburn were suitably pleased with their efforts, but aware that a weakened batting line up still had work to do. The Wooburn reply started with the unlikely pairing of Derek Milsom and Andy Cowan, Cowan being given the opportunity to open in his final match for the club before returning to Scotland. Sadly, Cowan was soon on his way back, caught at mid on off Bassi.
Wooburn’s hopes largely rested on the experienced shoulders of Milsom and Alan Cuthbert. A substantial partnership was crucial and the Wooburn men set about their task in determined manner. They were also keen not to miss out on the best batting pitch they had come across this season. Common had opened up with spinner Bassi and Amir, and while they posed problems, there were also enough four-balls for the batsmen to feast on and the score was soon rattling along.
Common eventually had to turn to the new ball, skipper Hind delivery three testing maidens. At the other end, the youthful Grewal was less accurate, and Common were unable to exert any serious pressure. Both batsmen passed 50, with drinks been taken at 112-1 off 24 overs. The new ball having failed to provide the breakthrough, Bassi came back into the attack. The runs continued to flow for Wooburn, the second wicket partnership reaching 166 before Milsom was bowled by a short ball the barely got off the ground.
Pete Selleck came to the crease, bristling with energy and purpose, and was quickly into his stride. Cuthbert continued on his way, punching leg-spinner Amir straight for four and despatching the short balls with ease. When Selleck eventually got on strike, he smashed Bassi for a huge six over the longest boundary. A tired Cuthbert fell with just 5 runs needed, giving Bassi a deserved third wicket, but Selleck saw Wooburn home with another massive six off Amir over long on.
In the circumstances, it was a memorable victory for Wooburn, with all of their senior players contributing to the cause, well supported by the rest of the team. It was also a fitting send off for Andy Cowan, who will be sorely missed by everyone at the club.
