Saturday 5th July 2008 | TVL Division 4A

Wooburn Narkovians 1st XI

228 - 6

British Airways 1st XI

231 - 6

Wooburn Narkovians lose by 4 wickets

Points: Wooburn Narkovians 13, British Airways 20

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Match Report

Wooburn Narkovians 1sts fell to their third league defeat in four games when they failed to defend a target of 229 against British Airways 1sts at Wooburn Park on Saturday.

On a wicket that gave the bowlers a bit of assistance early on, but little help thereafter, Wooburn posted a good total thanks largely to two fine innings of 67 by Andy Tennant and Dave Pidgeon. Ian Cuthbert chipped in with a useful 39, and the home side felt confident enough to declare on 228-6 after 51 overs.

However, Wooburn quickly found themselves under pressure in the field as the British Airways’ reply was given a tremendous start by Kathait and Bukhari, who put on a century opening stand at a run a ball. Kathait offered a couple of tough chances that went to ground, but Bukhari looked very comfortable and was quick to punish anything off line, as the Wooburn attack, missing regulars James White and Mo Aslam, struggled to contain the pair.

Tom Lees finally made the breakthrough – a sharp catch by Dave Small removing Kathait for 53 – giving the home side an opening. However, although Wooburn’s bowlers were able to chip away at the British Airways’ batting line-up, including removing a tiring Bukhari for an excellent 94, the wickets did not come quickly enough to put the visitors under any real pressure. Despite wholehearted efforts from Mark Tennant and Richie Barker, and a late burst from Small which resulted in two dismissals, British Airways eased home with four wickets and three overs to spare.

Scorecard