Match Report

Wooburn squeeze home as Curtis era ends in style

A Wooburn side mixed with youth and experience were involved in one of the most exciting games of cricket this season.



Stand in captain Tom Lees did not get off to a good start, losing the toss as Ploughmans choose to bat. A torrent of abuse followed from ex captain George Taylor!!



However Ploughmans were immediatley put on the back foot with Ali Paine able to find some movement off the pitch, picking up a wicket in his second over. Some unusually irratic bowling from the normally extremely accurate Ben Barker got the second wicket partnership for Ploughmans up and running.



It was time to see if the pitch would take any spin as James Dolan and Charlie Ashford were brought onto bowl. Both started well and were finding some consistent turn. However the runs were beginning to flow for Ploughmans until James picked up the second wicket of the innings with a consistent line and length that finally found the outside edge and a well taken catch from the reliable wicket keeper Rob Furlong. Dolan bowled through his 8 overs and was the best Wooburn bowler on the day.



Two further spinners were brought on, in the shape on George Taylor?? and Rhys Wheeler, both picking up a wicket each. Young Andrew Barker was also brought into the attack and once again spin picked up another wicket.



Ploughmans were still heading for a reasonable total and some big hitting was pushing the prospective total close to 200. However some tight at the death bowling from Ritchie Barker and Ali Paine kept the total down to 186, a tough run chase for the Wooburn team on a slow wicket with a slow outfield.



The Wooburn innings got off to a bad start with Rob Furlong bowled for 1. However captain Lees and Kevin Dolan got the innings moving with a solid 50 partnership, Lees hitting 2 crunching drives for 4 with the first two balls he faced. After the drinks break Lees fell trying to up the run rate for a well made 34. This brought the Sunday teams star batsmen to the wicket and Ritchie Barker immediately started to up the run rate. Kevin Dolan shortly followed Lees back in the pavilion for another solid 33. The required run rate was rising and Matt Curtis and George Talyor were both out in a short space of time trying to up the run rate.



Enter Charlie Ahsford who along with Barker started to smash the bowling to all parts and put Wooburn back in with a chance. Ahsford hitting a majestic 6 over the cover boundary. He finally fell for a powerful 27. Wooburn were left needing 3 runs off the last over and it was fitting that Ritchie Barker were to hit the winning runs with 3 balls to spare. A fantastic win for Wooburn in a thrilling game.



A big thank you must go out to Matt Curtis who played in his last ever Wooburn game. Ever since my arrival at the club 3 years ago Matt has been an important member of the sunday team and has been integral in bringing youngsters into the team, constantly encouraging them and keeping spirits in the team high whatever the situation.

On behalf of the team we wish Matt and his wife all the best with their fresh start in Devon.