Match Scorecard

Match Report

Match Report

NARKS\ VERMA-HELLI



I.C.I. Paints 2nd XI had the better of their draw against Wooburn Narkovians 2nds in Division 3 of the Thames Valley League on Saturday. Wooburn\s promotion hopes took a severe knock as I.C.I. proved themselves the much better team on the day, with Wooburn fortunate to avoid defeat.



The situation looked very different early on as I.C.I. were put into bat and lost two early wickets. With the score at 64-2 after 26 overs a good score looked unlikely. A superb third wicket partnership of 168 between John Adams (111 not out) and Bill Truelove (81) then put the home side in the driving seat. The pair started slowly, with several shots just eluding the fielders, but gradually they got on top. The Wooburn bowlers began to struggle on a wicket which offered little help, but after 40 overs I.C.I. were still only 119-2.



The Narks fancied their chances of keeping their opponents down to a reasonable total, but I.C.I., with wickets in hand, started to hammer the bowling all round the ground. The last 12 overs produced 127 runs to effectively take the game away from Wooburn, whose outcricket disintegrated, with some players putting in a lacklustre effort.



Facing a total of 246-3, Wooburn had cause for optimism as they fielded a stronger batting line up than they have had in recent weeks, when they still managed to score totals of over 250. Their positive mood did not last long as they slumped to 46-4 after 15 overs against some good bowling from Verma (4-54). Phil Lawless went to a disputed bat pad catch, and in-form Alan Cuthbert fell to a freak catch at silly mid off.



A good fifth wicket partnership between Richard Barker (74) and Rob Smith (34) set about repairing the damage. Barker played particularly well, driving with real authority on his way to a season\s best 74. Smith played the anchor role, content to push the singles, and he also benefited from some unusual fielding on the cover boundary. Smith finally skied a catch to mid-off, and he was quickly followed by Barker, which effectively ended the chase.



Some defiant blows from John Saunders in the last few overs brought Wooburn close to a fourth batting point, with Rob Rogers run out off the last ball as the batsmen attempted to get to 175.



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