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MATCH REPORTS 2008

September 20th

First Eleven v Peterborough - Lost - 4 points

Peterborough 245 for 5 in 55 overs  -  Wollaston 169 all out in 35.3 overs

Wollaston went into this game knowing that if results went against them it would be back to the first division next season.

Fortunately, although the game was lost, both Irthlingborough and Burton also failed to get the victory they both craved. So it is Premier cricket again next season. A remarkable achievement considering our resources - compared to one or two others.

David Clarke opened the batting for the city side and stroked an accomplished unbeaten 103 containing one six and 9 fours. Number three Asif Butt made 39 before becoming Chris Perry's first victim and the same bowler dismissed Waqas Chughtai for 43.

Peterborough set Wollaston a formidable 246 to win and the start of the innings went well. Openers Nick Shelton (25) and Liam Bates (15) put on 33 for the first wicket to put things on track.

However, once Sam Kumar had gone for 15 and top scorer Jimmy Hart for 45, the innings fell away.  This was due mainly to Ajaz Akhtar who proved to good on the day, and finished with 6 for 41 off eleven overs - dismissing the villagers for 169 in 35.3 overs.

Second Eleven v Loddington - Won - 30 points

Wollaston 234 for 9 in 50 overs  - Loddington 143 all out in 35 overs

This was an emphatic win over the league champions.

For the second week running Wollaston got their act together and excelled in all facets of the game.

Wollaston lost the toss and batted on a good surface and got off to a good start.

 Openers Harmit Bahra (65) and Marcus Shelton (23) got the board ticking over at an acceptable pace before number six Darren Laughton stepped up a gear to club 69 in rapid time.  When he was finally dismissed the innings faltered slightly  before the tail pushed on to an acceptable 234 for 9 in 50 overs.

After tea it was "The Mike Duddle Show"!   The opening seamer  removed the first five Loddington batsmen to completely knock the stuffing out of their reply. Only Will Stanley with 36 and Simon Stapley (35) put any sort of resistance Wollaston's way, and with Adrian Ward and Simon Parsons grabbing two wickets each it only needed Harmit Bahra to pick up the remaining one to finish things off.

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September 13th and Burton both failed to get a victory

First Eleven v Finedon Dolben - Lost - 6 points

Wollaston 177 for 8 in 55 overs     Finedon 183 for 7 in 53 overs

Finedon were made to fight all the way for the win they needed to keep them in the title hunt. And Wollaston knew that a victory here would make them relatively safe from the jaws of relegation.

Unfortunately for Wollaston they were 50 runs short of a really competitive total and Finedon crossed the line with 3 wickets and 2 overs to spare.

Wollaston batted first and were going along nicely at 50 for no wicket and looking good for a big total.

However, quick wickets fell and at 54 for 4 things looked bleak and it needed 41 from Liam Bates and 48 from Sam Kumar to help lift the score to  a respectable target.

In reply the Dolben didn't have it all their own way. Chris Perry took 3 wickets, and  David Mercer and Steve Musgrave 2 each.

But unfortunately Wollaston's score proved inadequate on the day, which means that we have to wait until next week and hope the results go our way.

Wollaston ll v Oundle Town  - Win  - 25 points

Wollaston kept the pressure on second placed Long Buckby with this astonishing, but well deserved win and at the same time made sure they couldn't be overtaken by their fourth placed opponents.

On an understandably slow and softish pitch, batting was not at it's easiest and Wollaston struggled to overcome the accurate Oundle attack. David Foster bowled his off-breaks for the rewarding figures of 5 for 32 off eight overs.

Mark Carter with 23 and Brett Hanson (22) scored the bulk of the runs.

In reply, the visitors also found run scoring a risky exercise. Opener Martin van der Merwe made 20 before John Pike got the all important breakthrough to send him back to the pavilion with his middle stump removed.  M. Outer persevered for 20 before he became one of Adrian Ward's five victims. The next highest score was 5  ! Ward finished with 5 for 16, Pike 3 for 33 and David Clarkson - who took the final wicket - 2 for 23 of 9 overs.

A fine and valuable win!

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September 6th

First Eleven v Old Northamptonians - rain prevents any play 2 points

Second Eleven v Kempston - rain prevents any play 2 points

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August 30th

Wollaston v Desborough  - Draw  - 10 points

Desborough 260 for 9 in 55 overs - Wollaston 202 for 8 in 55 overs

Another fighting effort saw Wollaston again pick up valuable points against Desborough.

Following the win away earlier in the season, possibly the thought of a first "premier double" was briefly considered. In the event it was a case of gleaning as many points as possible and attaining the draw.

The visitors started in express fashion with opener Terry Butt (78) and number three Imran Aslam (88) setting the pace.

It took a brilliant spell of off-spin from Dave Mercer to keep the total under three hundred. The ex-Bedford man took 6 for 39 off eleven well controlled overs.

In reply number five Jimmy Hart made 53, number eight Matt Jones 35 and Nick Shelton 29 to push Wollaston over 200 and help secure the draw.

Wollaston ll v Horton ll  - Draw  - 6 points

Horton ll  183 for 7 in 50 overs  Wollaston ll 138 for 9     50 overs

After the depressing debacle at Rushden the previous week the Second were looking for a much improved performance to put their title ambition back on track.

Unfortunately, except for a battling 74 from skipper Brett Hanson and a sensible 23 not out from David Clarkson the batting was again disappointing.

Horton had set a moderate 187 for 7 with Darren King taking 3 for 33 off 15, and Adrian Ward  2 for 46 off 14 earning the bowling honours.

Openers James Reynolds made 57 and Samish Patel 40 to get the hosts off to a good start before King and Ward pulled things back in Wollaston's favour.

However, in reply Wollaston slumped to 25 for 4 with Marcus Shelton, Mark Carter, Paul Jones and Andy Luck all back in the pavilion,  but with the skipper determined not to give his wicket up without a fight, the draw was secured with nine wickets down.

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August 23rd

Wollaston First Eleven lost to Saints and Seconds got hammered by Rushden. See scorecards

August 16th

Wollaston v Stony Stratford - Away - Draw - 6 points

Stony Stratford 192 for 7 in 55 overs - Wollaston 148 for 8 in 55 overs

In this crunch game for both sides, Wollaston came away happier with the draw.

With Stony routed at the bottom and Wollaston the equivalent of two wins in front, a draw was more acceptable to the visitors with the status quo being maintained.

Stony lost the toss and were soon in trouble. Steve Wharton was run out for 7 and Graeme Carter was well caught by Mark Ralph off the bowling of Anwar-Ul-Haq for 2 to leave the hosts on 9 for 2.

But number three and captain  Dion Ebrahim dug in and his 97 not out took them to a competitive 192 for 7 of their 55 overs. The next highest scorer was number six Dan Nichols with 37

Steve Musgrave and Chris Perry again bowled with great control - the former taking 2 for 51 off 17 overs and the latter 2 for 61 off 14 overs.

Unfortunately Wollaston's reply had the same sort of start as Stony's and Liam Bates went for just 1 and Nick Shelton 9.

But number three Steve Musgrave (18) and number four Sam Kumar - in his first innings for Wollaston- steadied things  and the latter's 51 kept the eager bowlers at bay. However with Steve Bellew taking 4 for 23 off 15 overs, run scoring was not a simple task and wickets started to fall.

In the event it took a ninth wicket stand of 24 in 12 overs  between Chris Perry (12 not out) and John Pike (15 not out) to secure the draw and maintain Wollaston's push for mid-table safety

SECOND ELEVEN

Wollaston ll v St Crispin's - Home - Draw - 27 points

St Crispins 194 for 9 in 50 overs - Wollaston ll 198 for 4 in 47 overs

Wollaston's bowlers took a tight hold on the visitors' batting for the first 25 overs until  number two, M. Richards (53) and number four K. Heath (60) gradually rebuilt the inning and set a reasonable total. David Clarkson had most reward with 4 for 48 off 12 overs.

In reply Wollaston never looked in trouble and with opener Andy Luck making 71, number three Jamie Perry 39 and number five Mark Carter 55 not out the hosts cruised to victory with three overs and six wickets to spare .

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August 9th

Wollaston v Rushden - Home - Draw - 6 points

Rushden 176 for 8 in 34 overs  - Wollaston 25 for 0 wicket in 8 overs

On a day which lived up to it's pre-match forecast - wet, - Wollaston picked up valuable points at home to high-riding Rushden.

Again the the spin-twins, Chris Perry and Steve Musgrave kept the opposition in a check on a difficult afternoon for both bowlers and batsmen.

Musgrave's immaculate control bagged him 3 for 30 off 10 overs and Perry's left arm orthodox  reaped 3 for 62, again off 10 overs.

With numerous delays which had already reduced the number of overs, the game was finally called of with the home side on 25 for 0 off 8 soggy overs.

SECOND ELEVEN

Wollaston ll v Podington  - Away - Draw - 4 points

Wollaston ll 126 for 9 in 41 overs  - Podington 37 for 2 off 10 .2 overs

Darren Laughton's 26 and Brett Hanson's 21 were the main reasons that enabled Wollaston to declare after 41 overs in this game reduced to 72 overs.

But unfortunately the rain had the last word and Podington were 37 for 2 off 10.2 overs when the game was finally abandoned.

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August 2nd

Wollaston v Irthlingborough - Away - Won - 26 points

Irthlingborough 213 for 5 in 51 overs - Wollaston 214 for 2 in 46.5 overs

Wollaston's third - and most comprehensive victory - was the result of a dogged bowling and fielding display, allied to a sublime batting performance.

In a game reduced by rain to 51 overs per side Wollaston's Chris Perry again picked up the bowling honours with figures of 15 overs, 6 maidens, 4 for 39  - despite Chandan Mandan excelling with 117 not out for the home team.

In reply the visitor's never looked in trouble and a typical 73 not out from Nick Shelton, 63 not  out from Jimmy Hart and 46 from Liam Bates, they secured victory with four overs and 8 wickets left.

SECOND ELEVEN

Wollaston ll v Long Buckby - Home - Lost - 7 points

Wollaston ll 195 for 8 in 50 overs -  Long Buckby 196 for 8 in 49 overs

Wollaston's second string  lost ground at the top of division three with this disappointing performance with both bat and ball.

At the top of the order inform opener Paul Jones made 21 and the middle order of Darren King, Andy Luck and Darren Laughton all got well set and a competitive total looked likely.

Unfortunately King was clean bowled by Oliver, and both Luck and Laughton were both run out which brought the innings towards a stuttering finally. Skipper Brett Hanson made 18 and Andrew Silsby 13 not out but the total was not as challenging as it might have been.

At 53 for 3 Long Buckby looked in trouble but Rob Wykes (73) and Richard Bott(23) pulled things around and and gradually started to take the game away from the villagers.

With the home side's bowlers unable to keep things tight Buckby reached victory with one over and 2 wickets to spare. For Wollaston, only Mike Duddle ( 4 for 35) could make any impression with the ball.

July 26th

Wollaston v Northants Academy- Home - Lost - 6 points

Northants Academy 196 for 9 in 55 overs - Wollaston 152 all out 49.2 overs

On a good pitch and fast outfield Wollaston did well to hold a talented  Academy side to under two hundred.

Steve Musgrave ( 3 for 58 off 17) and Chris Perry ( 2 for 51 off 17) bowled with a high level of control and at tea-time victory was a strong possibility  for the resurgent boys from the village.

And after a good start with the bat the surprise victory was still on.

Steve Musgrave with 61 and Jimmy Hart  had taken the hosts to a strong position of 144 for 4 with 13 overs to go.

But when Tom Brett had Musgrave trapped in front LBW and Hart departed for 37, only Liam Bates (15) offered any resistance - and the tail capitulated. Three wickets in an over didn't help the cause and six wickets went down for eight runs to end any chance of an upset for the promising starlets.

SECOND ELEVEN

Wollaston ll v Bowden - Away - Won - 27 points

Simon Parsons and Adrian Ward both took 3 wickets each and with help of John Pike (2) and Andy Luck (1) kept the Leicestershire side to 176 for 9 in 50 overs.

Luck and opener Paul Jones then scored 56 and 52 respectively and  John Pike 18, andtook Wollaston to a comfortable victory with 8 overs and 5 wickets to spare.

July 19th

Wollaston v Burton Latimer - Away - Win - 27 points

Burton 248 for 5 in 55 overs    Wollaston 249 for 3 in 52 overs

Thanks to Andy Reynoldson's 100 not out and a supporting 69 from Tim Laws, Burton managed to post a very challenging total in this battle of the lower reaches.

Steve Musgrave bowled his 17 over allocation with control and was rewarded with three well deserved wickets. He was backed up by Anwar Ul-Haq who took 1 for 46 in his 17 overs which helped restrict the target to within  the realms of possibility.

Wollaston's reply did not get off to a perfect start when opener Matthew Jones' was dismissed for a duck

But enter Dave Mercer fresh from his "fivefor" last week against Rushton. He was in majestic form and although opener Nick Shelton was dismissed for18 and Jimmy Hart for just one, Mercer was not deterred. He was joined by number five Steve Musgrave, and together they added 194 for the fourth wicket, a new Wollaston fourth wicket record - previously 135 and held by Marcus Shelton and Andrew Johnson.

The pair were imperious, and together took Wollaston to the second victory of the season with three overs to spare. scorecard

Wollaston ll v Old Northamptonians lll - Home - Draw - 15 points

 Wollaston ll 236 for 6 in 50 overs         O Ns lll 222 for 8 in 50 overs

Wollaston lost the toss and despite the effort of ONs Steve Rowley (2 for 83 off 15) and Waqar Ali (2 for 65 off 14) the hosts' progressed to a decent total thanks to opener Paul Jones (59), John Pike (50 not out), Andy Luck (37) and Marcus Shelton (32).  Number three Jamie Perry chipped in with 23 including a six over the pavilion.

The O.Ns youngsters were not daunted by this challenging target and although they lost 8 wickets they never gave up, and a win was possible up to the penultimate over. Number six Matt Long (38*) and David White (27) scored the bulk of their runs, and for Wollaston Andy Luck was the most successful bowler - picking up four wickets. 

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July 12th

Wollaston v Rushton - Home - Tie  - 15 points

Wollaston 123 all out in 42 overs  Rushton 123 all out in 54.1 overs

The persistent rain over the preceding few days made run scoring difficult, and although Wollaston struggled again to put early runs on the board their total of 123 was at least competitive considering the conditions.

Jimmy Hart, Dave Mercer and Mark Ralph led the run scoring to give the home side bowlers something to bowl at. 

Marcus Steed (43) led the visitors, reply but the hosts' all-spin attack kept things tight and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, with Mercer taking 5 for 35 off 16 overs.

However, with nine wickets down and the scores level, Anwar attempted a caught and bowled which ricocheted to mid-off where Simon Driver's  throw made a direct hit at the bowlers end to tie the game - and secure 15 valuable points for both teams.

Wollaston ll v Wellingborough Indians ll  - Away - Won - 29 points

Wollaston ll 200 for 5 - 50 overs   Wellingboro Inds ll 135 all out 42.2 overs

Number three Marcus Shelton 57 and Mark Carter (87 not out) dominated the home bowling to take Wollaston to a competitive total on a slow, damp pitch.

In reply the hosts made a spirited reply but with the exception of Ups Patel (65) could not remain at the crease long enough to make a lasting impression on the scoreboard.

Leg spinner Andy Luck ( 4 for 26 off 12) ran through the middle order - following David Clarkson's two early wickets - with 2 run-outs not helping the run chase.

July 5th

First Eleven v Peterborough - Home - Lost - 5 points

Wollaston 163 for 9 in 55 overs - Peterborough 164 for 6 in 51.2 overs

After building a firm batting foundation the previous week, it was unfortunately back to type again with Wollaston reduced to 48 for 6 after just 19 overs. The first six batmen all struggled  against the pace of Chughtai and it took a spirited seventh wicket stand of 60 between number seven Simon Driver (34) and number eight Chris Perry (28) to partially pull things around.

19 runs were added for the eighth wicket,  23 for the ninth and 13 for the unbeaten tenth - thanks to John Pike (24), Harmit Bahra (16*) and Anwar Ul-Haq (6*).

Chughtai finished with 6 for 55 of 17 overs.

After last week Wollaston would have been disappointed with this modest total but they didn't go down without a fight.

With a fine spell of opening bowling from off-spinner Steve Musgrave and seamer Anwa, the visitors were struggling slightly at 63 for 4 with both bowlers picking up wickets. However, number four batsman Cameron Wake was unmoved, and his steady reply (65 not out off 142 balls) turned things around in favour of the title favourites.

With Azaj Akhtar adding 26 priceless runs, the two wickets from Chris Perry and the one from John Pike were unfortunately in vain and Peterborough ran out fairly comfortable winners.

Second Eleven v Loddington & Mawsley - Away - Draw - 9 points

Loddington 224 for all out in 50 overs - Wollaston ll 154 for 6 in 50 overs

This game was really about one player - the game's top scorer Paul Jones. The veteran opening bat resisted everything Loddington could but his way and batted right through the Wollaston inning to remain unbeaten on 83 not out. His own icing, on his own and Wollaston's cake was a hooked six off the bowling off Matthew Asbrey - just before he successfully steered the visitors to a hard earned draw.

Loddington lost the toss, batted, and were positive from the start with both their stroke making and running between the wickets.

Jeff Connon eventually bowled Rob Johnson with 39 on the board and was too quick for number three Liam Hanley, very next ball. When Adrian Ward smartly ran out Elliot Ryan with the score on 78 Loddington looked like they might succumb and struggle to reach a decent total. However, Ben Watts (65) and Adam Gasson (28) consolidated and raced away - putting on 79 for the 4th wicket.

But the introduction of leg spinner Andy Luck put the brakes on the host's inning and his 4 for 50 off 15 overs made sure that maximum batting points were not collected by the home side.

David Ward ( 2 for 38 off 8) and David Clarkson (1 for 48 off 9) took the other wickets to fall.

Wollaston's reply never looked like threatening the target but was not helped by the injury to  number four bat Andy Silsby who dislocated his finger taking the second of his two catches and was taken to hospital for repairs.

The next highest score after Jones's fine effort was Luck with 24 followed by Clarkson 19 not out.

Nick Herbert took 3 for 33 off 12

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June 28th

First Eleven v Desborough - Away - Won - 28 points 

Desborough 228 for 7 in 55 overs - Wollaston 229 for 5  54.4 overs

History was made at Desborough on Saturday when Wollaston claimed their first win in the Premier Division of the Northamptonshire Cricket League!

This memorable victory against last week's Finedon-beaters was sealed in the final over by numbers six and seven - Mark Ralph and Chris Perry respectively. However the foundations of the innings were laid by openers Matt Jones (70) and Steve Musgrave (68) who put on a sturdy 123 for the first wicket.

Earlier, skipper Harmit Bahra came back to form, and kept the home side in check - taking four vital wickets to keep the required total within the realms of possibility.

Wollaston won the toss and had no hesitation in letting the home side have first go on a pitch that is traditionally a provider of high scores.

The Desborough openers did well. Gurjeet Sapal  and Mahmood Ali went along at five runs an over and resisted the opening attack of seamer Anwar Ul-Haq and off-spinner Steve Musgrave who both remained wicketless.

Eventually both bowlers were replaced by left arm spinner Chris Perry and skipper Harmit Bahra, who purveyed his brand of slow in-duckers to near perfection.

He soon had Gugeet stumped by Mark Carter for 45 which was the precursor of the sharp run-out of Mahmood by a quick thinking Matthew Jones. Bahra then had Wayne Steed caught by Simon Driver for just two before Perry nipped in to entice Shahid Siddiq to pop up a catch to the still-alert Jones.

However, Babar Raja and Imran Aslam brought a degree of solidarity to the middle order before both departed with 32 runs to their names - the former caught by keeper Carter and the latter caught plumb in front to Chris Perry.

Home skipper Terry Butt hung around for 21 not out and Mohammad Irshad equalled that score before becoming Bahra's fourth victim.

This left Wollaston needing to break the "200 barrier" for the first time this season to make a victory possible..

The visitors' reply was resolute, and although Desborough looked for a breakthrough openers Steve Musgrave and Matthew Jones gradually built a formidable first wicket stand and gave the division's new boys a real chance of victory.

Musgrave was eventually stumped by Nick Price for 68 off the bowling of Irshad and Jones went for 70 after being given out LBW off the bowling of Butt.

Jimmy Hart added 28 to take Wollaston to the brink and it was left to Ralph (26*) and Perry (7*) to secure victory with just 2 balls left

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June 28th

Second Eleven v Horton ll - Home - Won - 28 points 

Horton ll 177 all out 49.5  overs - Wollaston 180 for 4  44.3 overs

Horton got off to a good start batting first. At 89 for 1 a big total looked likely and the boys from the House were right on top.

Opener S. Patel made 52,  backed up by P. MacIntosh with 23 and Paul Ruff with 17.

But when John Pike (4 for 42 off 15) and Andy Luck (4 for 40 off 11) took over, the stuffing was gradually knocked out of the visitors' middle order - to the extent that the momentum dwindled to a full stop and 154 for 6 was soon reduced to 177 all out.

Wollaston's reply was not without the odd hiccup. Opener Paul Jones was soon out for just 4 runs and number three Brett Hanson for not many.

However, Rex Boddington (34) and Marcus Shelton (46) kept things on an even keel and when Boddington was eventually caught by Sam Gascoyne off the bowling of Knibbs, John Pike strode to the wicket to take the game by the scruff of the neck and stroked 66 not out (including 1 six)  and take Wollaston to victory.

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June 21st

First Eleven v Old Northamptonians - Away - Lost - 6 points

Wollaston 150 all out in 50 overs - O.Ns' 151 for 8 in 46 overs

With the game reduced to 50 overs per side, Wollaston were asked to bat first in their continual quest for that first, elusive Premier win.

Again they lost early wickets. It was Shaun DeKock and Ross McLean who did the damage to  reduce the villagers to 61 for 6 and make a three figure total look as unlikely as a rain-free June.

It took a six wicket stand of 43 between number eight Simon Driver (32) and number seven Mark Ralph (24), and contributions from Anwar ul Haq and Chris Perry, to attain the final total of 150 for 9 off 50 overs.

At 50 for no wicket the Old Boys were cruising to a comfortable win when suddenly, wickets started to fall thanks to to Chris Perry (4 for 25 off 15) and Steve Musgrave (4 for 51 off 15).

Wollaston were once again in a position where a win was a possibility but the rain that fell briefly didn't help their cause, and  number three George Arblaster, and number 10 James Mellor steered O.Ns to victory with 4 overs and 2 wickets to spare.

Second Eleven v Kempston - Home - Won 30 points     

Wollaston ll  264 for 6 50 overs    Kempston 156 for 2 in 38.5 overs

Despite posting a formidable 264 in 50 overs, Wollaston were staring defeat in the face with the visitors at 198 for 3 and plenty of overs still available.

Martin Bennet hit an impressive 115 - including 8 sixes! - and James Housedon 75, and even when these run-makers had departed  (the former caught by Darren King off Adrian Ward and the latter run out by Paul Jones) the visitors were still in the driving seat.

Although, because of the delayed start, they had only 42 overs to bat, at 215 for 6 they were still favourites , but amazingly - instead of picking up the 4 or 5 runs an over they needed - they went for the big hits and contributed to their own demise. Adrian Ward finished with 5 for 52 off 8 overs including the last two wickets to fall.

Earlier Andy Luck (52 not out), Darren King (52) and veteran Paul Jones (46) were the mainstays of Wollaston's highest score of the season so far, and ensured that the total would  take a lot of beating. In the event, it wasn't!

June 14th

First Eleven v Finedon - Home - Lost - 2 points

Wollaston 111 all out in 44.2 overs  Finedon 113 for 4 in 35.3 overs

The mighty Finedon, the strongest all round team in the County over recent years, came to Wollaston for the first time in the Premier and won by six wickets.

Wollaston lost the toss and were put in by the visitors. And they were soon in deep trouble - thanks to pace men Will Sneath and skipper Chris Goode who had the villagers at 25 for 5 and facing an early finish and a trip to the adjacent carnival.

But number six Steve Musgrave together with number seven Simon Driver managed to steady things for a while and managed to put on 40 for the 5th wicket before both batsmen were dismissed by Robert Pack for 37 and 16 respectively.

Chris Perry again batted sensibly to make an accomplished 24 not out and at same time coax a few more runs out of the tail.

Pack finished with 3 for 17, Sneath 3 for 29 and Goode 2 for 33. 

With a small total to defend the hosts knew it would be a difficult task. But undeterred they immediately got stuck in to the Finedon openers. The possible champions were reduced to 7 for 3 and looking decidedly shaky thanks to an excellent spell of bowling from opening off-spinner Steve Musgrave. Along with Anwar ul Haq he at least gave the bottom club a brief smell of victory.

Unfortunately it wasn't to be, and number four Jonathon Dunne (54) and number five Primesh Patel (39 not out) took the game away from Wollaston and victory was achieved fairly comfortable in the end.

Musgrave 3 for 50 off 17 overs. scorecard

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Second Eleven v Oundle - Away - Lost   3 points     

Wollaston ll  155 all out in 49.5 overs    Oundle 156 for 2 in 25.5 overs

This result was basically about one player  - Martin van der Merwe, Oundle's opening bowler, opening bat and South African overseas player. He took two wickets, had only 18 runs scored off his 11 overs and made a classy 87 not out off just 70 balls.

Wollaston were inserted on a dry, hard wicket and lost opener Rex Boddington for just 1 - caught Ben Wethrington, bowled Paul Campbell- with only 2 on the board.

 However, skipper and number three Brett Hanson conspired with Paul Jones to accumulate 58 for the second wicket before Jones was bowled by the same bowler for a gritty 18. However  Hanson continued and reached his 50 off 82 balls before Steve Brookes caught him for 52 off the bowling off David Foster.

Number five Andy Luck made 37 before being bowled by van der Merwe, but the lower order put up little opposition to the the home bowling attack and 92 for 2 was finally reduced to a  disappointing 155 all out.

Foster 4 for 58 off 15 overs.

Oundle replied in positive fashion with Neil Fox hitting a six off David Clarkson's 5th ball of his opening over.

Van der Merwe (87 not out)  put on 56 for the first wicket with Fox ( LBW Andy Luck 17), 25 for the second wicket with Mark Hodgeson (LBW Adrian Ward 9) and 75 for the third wicket with Michael Outer (36 not out) to take Oundle to victory - at a canter - and at the same time sentence the league leaders to their first defeat of th season    scorecard

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June 7th

First Eleven v Northampton Saints - Away- Draw  8 points

Saints 189 for  8    53 overs        Wollaston 171 for   9   53 overs

Wollaston again made progress in the search for the first, and so far, elusive victory.

Due to the rain, the game was shortened to 106 overs and Wollaston dominated the early stages.

With spinner Steve Musgrave opening the bowling and removing Alec Swann caught and bowled for 3, and Anwar Hul-Haq clean bowling skipper Chris Park for 8, the Saints got off to a dodgy start.

Anwar then removed Brent Findley, caught behind for a duck by Mark Carter, and seamer Simon Driver nipped in and had Richard Ashton caught by Jimmy Hart for the same score. With the home side on 78 for five the visitors' had put themselves in a strong position.

However, number three Mark Nelson dug in and proved difficult to dislodge and was finally caught by Matthew Jones for 95 off the bowling of Chris Perry . Number eight Neil Stanley helped out with 31 not out, and this took Saints to a reasonable total of 189 for 8 off the allotted 53 overs -  in conditions that were not conducive to anything other than watchful stroke play

Perry finished with 3 for 64 off 14 and Anwar 2 for 26 off 11

In reply opener Nick Shelton was his reliable self and tried to keep the villagers in the hunt for victory. His 34 deserved more reward, but the middle order could not get on top and dominate  the Saints attack.

At 86 for 6 Wollaston were in the same position as the Saints previously but number eight Carter with 32 and Chris Perry (not out 25) dug in and made a terrific fight of it and took Wollaston to the brink.

But when the former was bowled by Neil Stanley and skipper Harmit Bahra fell LBW to the same bowler for a duck, the chase was effectively over.

But fortunately for the division's new comers, they did not capitulate and for the second week running were guided the the safety of the draw by Anwar 12 not out and Perry - who completed a fine all round performance and took Wollaston to within just 19 of victory.

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Second Eleven v Rushden ll - Home - Win

Wollaston ll 156 all out 50 overs - Rushden ll 136 all 41.4 overs  27 points

Upon winning the toss, Rushden had no hesitation in asking Wollaston to bat first on a damp track. It was a day when batsmen had to be circumspect and play each ball on its merit.

However, the division leaders quickly adapted to the conditions and posted a score that was never really threatened by the visitors.

Although Rex Boddington was dismissed early, number three - skipper Brett Hanson (45 off 40 overs) - and opener Liam Bates (40), got their heads head down and put on 71 for the second wicket.

When Bates was eventually dismissed, a couple of the middle order came and went before John Pike hit a rapid 22 and Adrian Ward and David Clarkson hit twelve each.

16 year old James Gaul  had figures of 15 - 7 - 40 - 7 which included an over when he conceded 18 runs (!)

In reply Rushden lost wickets at regular intervals and were never on top of the bowling.

David Clarkson took an early wicket to make it 7-1  which soon became  16-2,  and this was the way it continued throughout the innings - the bowlers always in control

At 106 for 8 the game was virtually all over  but the visitors reached semi-respectability   before Clarkson returned to take  the last two wickets and leave Rushden 136 all out.

Clarkson finished with 3 for 15, John Pike 4 for 51.

Grant Timms (21), Tom Smith (31) and Gaul (23) made the majority of the runs for Rushden.

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May 31st

First Eleven v Stony Stratford - Home - Draw

Stony Stratford 196 for 7 in 55 overs -  Wollaston 159 for 9 in 55 overs

Wollaston at last managed to avoid defeat for the first time in the premier division. In fact, at one stage the first victory of the season looked  a possibility - only for the chance slip away and be replaced with a backs-to -the- wall rearguard action to secure the draw.

The visitors' innings was mainly due to number three bat  Dion Ebrihim who finished on 102 not out, and Steve Wharton with 17. The third wicket stand of 123 effectively took the game out of the reach of the home side although it was a good all-round bowling display.

Wollaston's reply faltered and at 75 for 5 and it looked like another defeat to add to the previous five.

But number five Jimmy Hart (57) had other ideas, and along with Steve Musgrave (17) and Simon Driver (also 17) took the chasing side to a position of launching a bid for victory.

However, when Chris Perry was inexplicitly run out and Hart was finally sent on his way, the run chase petered out and became a matter of survival.

In the end it came down to skipper Harmit Bahra and number eleven Anwar-ul Haq to skilfully- and successfully - deal with all that the bowlers could put their way.

Second Eleven v St. Crispins/Ryeland - Away - Win

St Crispins 94 all out in 50 overs  Wollaston ll 98 for 4 in 29 overs

St. Crispins plodded to 94 all out off their maximum 50 overs with number 7, P.Haskins, top scoring with just 20.

Wickets fell at regular intervals through the innings as the Wollaston bowlers imposed their authority throughout.

Off-spinner Adrian Ward proved the most economical, picking up 4 for 14 in his fourteen overs. John Pike and Andy Luck secured a brace each with David Clarkson one.

In reply Rex Boddington (38) and Darren Laughton (21) were the main reasons that Wollaston cruised to their modest target. Liam Bates with 13 and skipper Brett Hanson (14) made sure the visitors won at a canter.

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May 24th

Wollaston Second Eleven v Podington- Home - Won

Podington 169  all out in 48 overs - Wollaston ll 173 for 5 in 46

Andy Luck with 5 for 19 off 10 overs kept Podington in check and Paul Jones (25) Andy Silsby (30) and Rex Boddington (21) scored the bulk of the runs to secure the win

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May 17th

First Eleven - Home - Lost   1 point

Wollaston 109 all out in 44 overs Irthlingborough 110 for 2 in 44

The elusive first win in the Premier was not at the expense of Irthlingborough! The visitors made light work of a poor target.

For Wollaston, opener Matt Jones battled hard for his 32 before attempting a pull of a ball that kept low and was bowled by Chris de Wit.

 Simon Driver and skipper Harmit Bahra, both with 13 were the next highest scorers in this disappointing batting display from the villagers.

Neil White ( 3 for 31 off 12) topped the bowling honours but it was a good all-round effort with the ball with Ian Willis, de Wit and Stuart Childs all backing him up with 2 wickets each.

In reply, Martin Hills - LBW to Chris Perry for 49, and Chandan Mandan (28 not) out - made sure the victory was soon wrapped up in just 23.5 overs.

Steve Musgrave took the other wicket to fall.

Second Eleven- Away - Draw   5 points

Long Buckby 193 for 7 in 38 overs - Wollaston ll 115 for 8 in 30 overs

In a game reduced to 68 overs by rain, Wollaston gave chase but eventually settled for the draw.

Just one over was possible before the rain came, and and on resuming Wollaston found it hard to breakthrough the Long Buckby opening partnership. Late in the afternoon - at 5.10pm- Simon Parsons got on past the bat and clean bowled  Greg Oliver  for 38 with 69 on the board.

Another wicket quickly fell at 79 (Rob Wykes LBW to Andy Luck for 29 ) but then consolidation set in and wickets were hard to come by.

When Luck eventually bowled top-score Phil Wallace for 49 things did swing back slightly towards Wollaston, but 193 for 7 declared off 28 overs was a handy total in this rain affected match.

Luck 4 for 57 off 11       Parsons 3 for 25 off 13.

However, the reply was positive with Marcus Shelton (28) and skipper Brett Hanson (42) setting the tone. Darren Laughton with 25 carried on the good work but  Reeve ( 3 for 30 off 10 ) and Stuart Clarke ( 3 for 26 off 7) pulled thing back Buckby's way and Wollaston settled for the draw with eight wickets down and 115 on the board

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May 10th     

First Eleven - Lost - 5 points

Wollaston 183 for 8 in 55 overs - Academy 186 for 4 in 45.3 overs

Although Wollaston lost Matt Jones with less than ten on the board, fellow opener Nick Shelton (33) and number three Liam Bates (34) consolidated  and  put on fifty for the second wicket before they departed in quick succession.

Jimmy Hart came and went in the space of one over but Dave Mercer showed his class and struck a classy 64. No one else could get to grips with the spin of Dan Bendon who took six for 42 off 16  and proved the undoing of Wollaston for the second week running.

In reply the Academy were always in control and number two, D. Murphy dominated the proceeding and his 92 not out put the game out of the reach of the villagers. Number four Brad Kruger supported with 34.

 Simon Driver picked up two wickets but the County hopefuls reached 186 for the loss of just 4 wickets and won with 9.3 overs to spare.

Second Eleven - Won - 29 points

Bowden 205 all out in 50 overs  - Wollaston ll  206 for 5 in 48 overs

Bowden were held in check and at 74 for 4 were really struggling to get the ball off the square.

However, number six S. Barkworth played himself in before striking some mighty blows in his 89. He was eventually caught on the long-off boundary by 57 year old ex-wicket keeper Rex Boddington, off the bowling of 16 year old David Clarkson. Number three T. Roberts helped out with 34.

Off-spinner Adrian Ward did the damage with the ball. After being hit for eleven off his first over - including a six - he went on to take 4 for 42 off 15 economical overs. Anwar and Clarkson backed him up with three wickets each.

Wollaston started brightly and openers Rex Boddington (31) and skipper Brett Hanson (35) got the innings off on a positive note.

Number four Mark Carter made 45 not out, Darren Laughton 36 and extras contributed 27.

Wollaston reached victory on 206 for 5 off 48 overs.

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May 3rd

First Eleven

Burton 201 for 9 in 55 overs  - Wollaston  89 all out in 48.4

Wollaston won the toss again but failed to put pressure on the visitors batting line up.

Openers Stephen Ludlam (17) and Greig Hofbauer(66) gave Burton a steady start before number three Tim Law (44) joined the latter and between them provided the backbone of the innings. 

Left arm spinner Chris Perry tirelessly plugged away and was rewarded with an excellent return of 6 for 74 off 16 overs.  Steve Musgrave picked up two off his seven overs.

In reply Nick Shelton grafted for 22 and Simon Driver 17, otherwise it was a dismal batting display by Wollaston and the first win in the premier is still waited. Bring on the Academy!!

Second Eleven

Wollaston ll 220 for 9 in 50 overs   O.N lll 178 all out in 45 .1

It was great all-round team effort with Wollaston reaching 220 and Mark Carter reaching his maiden century off 134 balls. Number eleven David Clarkson hung around with Carter to put on 70 for the last wicket and ensured Carter was not left high- and- dry before he reached the magic figure.

A great bowing display by the seamers saw the hosts finish 50 short of their total.

Anwar  3 for 15, Clarkson 3 for 12 and Mike Duddle 3 for 29 took the bowling honours and Wollaston to the 29 point haul

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April 26th

FIRST ELEVEN

Rushton v Wollaston

Rushton  222 for 7 in 55 overs - Wollaston  all out in overs 54.3 overs

Wollaston found it hard work in this, their first ever Premier encounter. And after a gallant struggle just failed to negotiate the final over and reach the safety of a the draw.

After 10 overs Rushton were struggling at 28 for 2 but a fifty from Jackson helped them to a healthy 222 for 7 in their maximum 55 overs.

Chris Perry and John Pike bowled well for their 2 wickets apiece with Simon Driver picking up one scalp early on.

Mark Nieve did the damage with the ball taking 5 wickets to rip the middle out of the vistors batting

Although new boy Jimmy Hart top scored for Wollaston with a gritty 32 and Liam Bates assisted with a cultured 22,  it was a disappointing performance from the last season's division one champions, and although skipper Harmit Bahra did his utmost to resist, he was finally last man out,  LBW -  just 3 balls from safety!

SECOND ELEVEN

Wollaston ll 122 for 6  50 overs - Wellingborough Inds ll 99 all out 48 overs

Wollaston found it hard going against some accurate bowling from the Indians. Rex Boddington (11) and Andy Luck (11) hung around for a while but couldn't dominate the visitors all-seam attack.

 It took a solid 28 from Jamie Perry and 23 from debutante Anwar Ul-Haq, to take the total to a degree of respectability at 122 for 6 in 50 overs.

In reply the visitors struggled from the word go, and Mike Duddle's 4 for 30 off  14 overs and 3 wickets from sixteen year old David Clarkson  ensured the Indians never threatened the home total, and they were bowled out for 99 with two overs to spare.