Match Scorecard

Match Report

Match Report

BRILLIANT CUTHBERT TAKES NARKS CLOSE



Wooburn Narkovians kept up their unbeaten record in Thames Valley Division 3 after an entertaining draw with Royal Ascot on Saturday.



Royal Ascot won the toss and batted first. However, when Pete Brown and Dave Small dismissed Timms, Sawyer and S.English, the run rate fell. Ian Cuthbert once again bowled tightly and at 133-4 after 35 overs Royal Ascot still had a lot of work to do to post a good total. The arrival of captain A.English changed the game. He was dropped second ball, and a further five times, on his way to an unbeaten 73 off just 43 balls. He was ably supported by Frost as Ascot declared on 238-5 after 50 overs.



During tea there was a spot of drizzle and, when Wooburn started their reply, the outfield had slowed considerably, making the target much more difficult. With the score at 58-2 after 25 overs a draw seemed inevitable, but Cuthbert and Dave Pidgeon set about the Ascot bowling, adding 100 in just 18 overs. When Pidgeon fell for a well-made 54, it was left to Stuart Savage and Cuthbert to maintain the run rate.



With 12 an over needed off the last 10 overs, Savage and Cuthbert smashed the ball to all parts, and a Wooburn win seemed possible. But when Cuthbert fell for a brilliant 86 and Savage went for 32, the task became too much, with the Narks needing 30 off the last 2 overs. Wooburn ended 19 short on 219-7 from their 50 overs.



Maidenhead Advertiser