Match Scorecard

Match Report

Gerry turns 40

Saturday 22nd August was the day for Wooburn Narkovians’ first double header of the season. The first fixture was a trip down the road to Burnham where the mighty Narks attempted to maintain their winning streak. For the first time this season, skipper, Ben “skin-fade” Barker, lost the toss and we were asked to bowl. The pressure was applied early on with birthday boy M Tennant bowling absolute wheels at one end, supported by a less-than-enthusiastic-although-still-reliable-as-ever T Wright at the other, swinging it both ways with no sight screen behind him. Dangerous. Early wickets ensued, with Coach Tennant teaching off-stump how to cartwheel, followed by regulation catches from B Cooper, and then B Barker at mid-off. Burnham never really looked like scoring many runs, mainly thanks to J Dolan’s 7-1-21-1 in about 90 seconds and B Barker’s 7-1-22-2 throughout the middle overs. During Barker’s lightning spell, the Narks were bemused when a seemingly regulation shnick to keeper M O’Regan led to a shake of the head from the umpire. “Batted champ” and “nice one Broadey” followed, but Wooburn were not phased, and after D Broughton and D Bushnell chipped in with a wicket apiece, the home side found themselves all out for 103.

Tea followed, and soon after, with the Narks making full use of the balcony overlooking the pitch, B Cooper and R Wheeler strode out to knock off the below-par total. Whilst Wheeler fell early, Cooper batted sensibly and then began to play some shots, most notably bombing a six onto the first tee at Huntswood. The dressing room, now fuelled by San Miguel and Strongbow after the arrival of D Small, were loving it, and despite the ever-present Wooburn wobble and a (recorded) reverse sweep attempt from the skipper , the runs were knocked off by D Bushnell to leave the Narks unbeaten. A very professional performance from New Wooburn, which left them in second place, just behind Farnham Common, who they play next week.

By now the time is about 5pm, but for the Narks, the day was only just beginning. Buoyed by their victory, the 1s were on their way to support the 2s in their home fixture. Pints were pouring, wickets were falling, and the 1s were cheering. By this point, M Tennant had clocked onto the fact their may have been something planned for his big day, and armed with trilby hat, tackled the bar, to celebrate both his birthday and a winning Wooburn day. As the shadows grew longer, and the last of the BBQ was dished up, Wooburn 1s faced their second opponents, a much more formidable force than Burnham proved to be: the Jäger bottle behind the bar. The task was clear, and the boys set off, first with a game of Jäger pong against the 2s, in which all kinds of chat was being thrown across the playing table. The biggest uproar being caused by 2s skipper, and Wooburn legend K Dolan REFUSING a bomb after his opponent sunk a shot. “Fine!” was the call from the spectators, and that was the end of Dolan’s spell. The 1s blew a 3 cup lead, and the 2s were ecstatic with their second win of the day.

As the clubhouse emptied, only the hardcore remained, but would surely pay for it in the morning. L Johnson, celebrating not getting given out LBW for the 23rd time this season was keen to stay, and stay he did, causing all kinds of chaos to the floor, the door, the sanitising station, and worse still, his grey shorts. Words cannot describe the magnitude of the upcoming fine.
In summary, it was a day that would go down in Wooburn folklore, with wins all around. A big day at the weekend as the 1s play host to league leaders, Farnham Common, but they’re starting to BELIEVE us…