Cricket was the winner in a match that contained all that is good about the game. The scores finished level on 232 when, needing two to win from the final ball, James White could only scramble a single. This represented a magnificent recovery after Wooburn had found themselves in a deep hole at 23-4, chasing Windsor’s 232 all out. James White led the chase with a superb 92*, well supported by Alan Cuthbert (40), Stuart Savage and Dave Jordan (27*).
After winning the toss on a hot afternoon, Windsor had very little hesitation in batting first. Ollie Atkins and ‘Frank’ bowled well with the new ball, regularly beating the bat, but the fast outfield gave full value to the batsmen. Ollie made an early breakthrough, then Mani Sharma picked up Hale, caught one-handed by Pete Harper at slip. The youthful Jordan fell lbw to Dove, for 29, but by now Alam was striking the ball well. He made an excellent 67 before holing out to skipper Kevin Dolan at long on, who took a fine catch running in.
The Windsor innings then subsided to 160-8, against some good bowling by John White (3-21), and it looked as though the Narks may be chasing a reasonably modest score. However, Doree and Stroud, with sensible batting, added 60 for the ninth wicket to frustrate the home bowlers, Doree eventually falling to Dove for 33. Last man Bryant was run out in the final over of the innings to leave Windsor all out on 232.
The Wooburn reply got off to a disasterous start against the swing bowling of Lewis and Jordan. Lewis, swinging the ball in, removed Kevin Dolan lbw, then Jordan, had Mani Sharma caught at cover from a loose drive. A suicidal run out then accounted for ‘in form’ Chris Hall, and Andy Johnson nicked one to the keeper. 23-4 from 8 overs was not quite what the home team were looking for.
James White and Alan Cuthbert were forced to consolidate, picking up runs where they could. Slowly they worked their way back into the match. The partnership had reached 82 when Alan fell lbw to an unwise sweep, as the batsmen looked to increase the scoring rate. A tilt at victory looked unlikely with over 7 an over required, but Frank was now into his stride, and added a quick 49 with Stuart Savage.
Dove then provided the perfect supporting cameo in a thrilling stand of 78, as the ball disappeared to all parts. 43 were needed from the last three overs, the equation coming down to 14 from the last and then two from the last ball. Unfortunately for Wooburn, it was a good ball, just short of length swinging in to Frank, who could only nick it into his pad. A single was run, but with no prospect of a second.
With the scores level and the Wooburn innings incomplete (i.e. they were not bowled out), the match ended in a draw with both teams picking up bonus points only. It was a tremendous effort by the Wooburn team, and there was just a tinge of disappointment that a memorable victory eluded them.
