CUTHBERT KEEPS NARKS IN PROMOTION RACE
Wooburn Narkovians bounced back from recent setbacks in Thames Valley League Division 3 with a slender 12 run win over Teddington 2nds to keep their faint promotion hopes alive.
Wooburn won the toss and decided to bat, needing the maximum 25 points if they were to have any chance of promotion. Batting proved to be difficult on a wicket affected by heavy rain during the week, and all the Wooburn batsmen struggled to find their touch, with the ball stopping and seaming around. After the early loss of Dave Rogers, Alan Cuthbert held the top order together. He grafted his way to 59, and was given good support from the other end, notably from Kevin Czakan. Cuthbert was eventually frustrated into a rash stroke, and fell to a fine running catch at mid wicket.
After that, Richard Garland, Matt Curtis and Phil Day all made important contributions, and Wooburn were finally all out for 166 in the last of their 52 overs. It was a challenging total, but with the wicket drying out and becoming easier, the visitors were in with a good chance.
Teddington lost opener Jones early on, with the ever alert Dave Rogers snapping up the catch at short leg. Wright and Tamblinson played well, taking the score past 50, before Phil Day conjured up his second wicket. Czakan bowled with good pace, and was rewarded with the wicket of Collyer, who attempted an ambitious drive at his first ball. John Saunders replaced Day and soon had the dangerous Tamblinson caught behind for 24, leaving the match evenly poised with Teddington on 78-4. Reuby and Shipley batted sensibly to edge their side closer, with Reuby surviving two sharp slip chances before fast bowler Czakan finally got his man, at the end of a marathon 19 over stint.
The introduction of spinner Rob Rogers proved to be an inspired move. After an indifferent first over, Rogers found his length and induced Shipley to offer a catch as he played too soon. Teddington only required three runs an over, but Castle, who was threatening to win the game, attempted a suicidal run to Dave Rogers on the deep mid wicket boundary and was run out by a foot. This put Wooburn in the box seat, and Rob Rogers had Badham caught behind and then last man Cowan dragged a ball onto his stumps to leave the Narks winners by 12 runs.
Maidenhead Advertiser
