INSPIRED CZAKAN IS FENDED OFF
An inspired spell of fast bowling by Kevin Czakan came close to bringing Wooburn victory in their Thames Valley League match against Teddington Town on Saturday. The Wooburn paceman bowled unchanged, returning magnificent figures of 5-82 as both sides finished just short of the winning post.
The day started with Wooburn being put into bat on a wicket that looked full of runs. Openers Rob Smith and Dave Rogers got the innings off to a good start, scoring steadily against Teddington\s accurate bowling. At 64, Smith was caught behind in Collyer\s first over. Alan Cuthbert then joined Rogers, and these two continued the good work, taking the score to 132 before Rogers fell to the off-spinner Shipley for a well made 62. With 18 overs left and eight wickets in hand, Wooburn were well placed to set a stiff target. However, good bowling from Shipley and Rodwell brought Teddington back into the game, as Wooburn collapsed from 158-2 to 207 all out.
After Alan Cuthbert went for 49, wickets fell steadily. Phil Day briefly threatened to take control, hitting two huge sixes in his 22, before Rodwell beat him with a yorker. A marvellous moment then followed for Chris Paul, as he scored his first runs for the club. He followed this up with a superb cover drive, and not even his subsequent run out could dampen his spirits. Wooburn were finally dismissed in the last over for 207, a disappointing total after such a good start.
Teddington\s reply started slowly against Wooburn\s new ball attack of Czakan and Day. The openers, faced by hostile and accurate bowling, were content to keep their wickets intact, as Wooburn strove for the breakthrough. Wooburn\s desperation for wickets surfaced when close lbw appeals were turned down against both batsmen.
Czakan\s pace and hostility was finally rewarded when Sidaway was bowled by a fast yorker. Soon after, Holton spooned a catch to Matt Cyster at mid on, giving Czakan a second wicket. Teddington were now slipping behind the required run rate, and Collyer\s answer was to throw the bat.
Paul Cuthbert replaced Day, and quickly removed Murphy, after which Teddington\s middle order collapsed. Tamblinson smashed a huge six before falling to Czakan\s yorker. Reuby heaved across the line against Cuthbert and Collyer was bowled by one that nipped back. At 134-6 with 12 overs to go, Wooburn scented victory.
Teddington appeared to have given up the chase when Shipley and Rodwell played back the next few overs. Wooburn brought the field in, and this inspired Shipley to open his shoulders. Both batsmen then put bat to ball, and Wooburn\s missing fielder started to become apparent. Shipley skied Czakan to cover, but Rodwell kept going. The last over started with 24 still needed, and although Rodwell managed to smash a couple of boudaries, Teddington finished 10 short.
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