Match Scorecard

Match Report

Barkers Pearls of Wisdom

Wooburn Narkovians made the voyage over to Purley-on-Thames on a splendid May Sunday in what was a hastily arranged fixture against fellow Division 3A opponents.



Wooburn Captain B.Barker duly elected to field, assuming the moist wicket would dry out across the afternoon. Indeed this was probably prudent as the pitch had seen Bagshot score 224/1 from 37 only 24 hours earlier, before rain took over the match subsequently abandoned. Barker proving that he was meticulous in his preparation.



The P-O-T batsmen started industriously, T-Singh looking in fine nick, creaming his first delivery through the covers for 4, leaving the purists on the side-lines in absolute raptures. However, this was short-lived after holing out to Taylor at deep mid-on, taking the catch at the second attempt. The Wooburn openers of R.Barker and A.Gerrish we’re finding all the right areas, almost ungraciously for so early in the season.



P.Rackley and G.Wheeler continued to chip away without creating too much impact on the scoreboard, but it was the bowling change of S.Wilkinson and K.Addada when Wooburn really turned the screw, with figures of 2-14 and 2-9, the P-O-T middle order was rattled. It was left to M.Sear, O.Atkins and R.Wheeler to mop up the tail end, all-be-it for a productive flourish from C.Richards, who flailed the poor balls to the boundary with relish adding well received runs to the total.



Tea was taken in the really rather impressive P-O-T clubhouse which was as much a pub as cricket pavilion. A generous smattering of locals were assembled to enjoy the cheaper beer, Sky Sports and perhaps the left-overs of a Cricket Tea. Alas, their luck was dashed as both sets of teams tucked into a veritable feast of sandwiches followed by freshly cooked chips and chicken nuggets.



The opening Wooburn pair of Wheeler and O.E.A.Lawrie set about their business from the start and quickly looking like they were vindicating Barker’s decision to wait for the pitch to dry out. Wheeler will be cursing himself for being trapped LBW for 11 when a reasonable score looked at his beck and call – but Lawrie picked up where he left off from the previous week, unafraid to go with the aerial route and really picking the bowlers apart. Atkins was caught and bowled in splendid fashion by Clarke, but it provided scant consolation as Wooburn wrapped up the run-chase shortly after drinks, Lawrie finishing on 56 from 61 deliveries and 157 not out for the season.