FIND EMBERTON   CRICKET GROUND

TOTE  WINNERS

July 7th 

Win !

Wollaston 201-7 47 overs dec   -     Gt Oakley 164 all out 53 overs
 
Wollaston completed a remarkable second last ball victory of the season in their home fixture against Great Oakley.

 Batting first after yet another lost toss, the home side started poorly with the loss of Nick Shelton second ball. Fellow opening Matt Jones (32) and Dave Mercer took the score to 61 before the former fell, triggering a collapse as the score slipped to 74-5 as the spinners were introduced. Simon Driver (28) produced some lusty blows but fell in the same over as Mercer's excellent 87 came to an end.

It was left to John Pike to take his side over the 200 mark and the declaration. The spinning Bells Lee (2-42 from 15) and Chris (3-63 from 13) were the pick of the visitors attack.
 
The Oakley innings started as poorly as the Wollaston one, with both opening bowlers picking up a wicket.

However, the home side were forced to work hard for their next success as Lee Bratley (23) and Lee Bell moved the score to 73 before dangerous left arm spinner Chris Perry trapped the former LBW. Ryan Bell smote a couple of large 6s in his 38 and at 117-5, Oakley looked in with a shout of victory going into the closing overs.

It was not to be and  Perry (3-32) and Musgrave (3-21) combined to check this resurgence but it was left to John Pike to take the 9th wicket in the 51st over and then just as it looked as though the Corby side would get a draw, he delivered a searing bouncer with the last ball of the game that could only be edged to gully where the grateful Harmit Bahra took the straightforward catch.

BOARD 20 KNOCKOUT CUP - ROUND ONE   July 6th

WOLLASTON WIN!

IRTHLINGBOROUGH 136 ALL OUT- WOLLASTON 137 FOR 7  17.3 OVERS

After several weeks of postponements due to the weather, this first round tie was eventually settled in favour of Wollaston and reversed the result of last season's semi final at the County Ground.

Irthlingborough's skipper Neil White won the toss, and after some deliberation decided to take first knock. The visitors got off to a flyer and for the first few overs a score towards 160 plus looked on the cards.  But home captain Harmit Bahra interchanged his bowlers to good effect and gradually they turned things around  in favour of the fielding side. Chris Perry had a memorable day in the field taking five catches - including one absolutely brilliant one-handed effort on the mid-wicket boundary that would have graced any Test Match.

For last year's semi finalists' number seven Carl Brown top scored with 25, opener Chandan Mandan made 21 and Martin Hills 18.  Harmit was rewarded for his fine spell with the ball with figures of 4 overs, 3 for 15.  

Wollaston's reply was steady, but gradually a foundation was built for the run chase and when 32 was taken off one over (including wides, no-balls and free hits) it was just a matter of pushing the ball into the spaces and picking off the runs. Opener Liam Bates - the grateful recipient of most of the free hits - made 38, John Pike 19 and Matthew Jones 39 not out - including two sixes, one of which sealed this first victory over the team from the Premier.

It was a real team effort from the villagers who deservedly won this competitive encounter played in a good spirit.

JUNE 30th  NO RESULT   

Wollaston v Geddington   Away  Game cancelled

On the last day of the month the wettest June on record had the last word. The forecasted rain did not disappoint the harbingers of doom and when it arrived on Saturday morning it was enough to make most grounds unplayable - including those of Geddington and Wollaston. 

So, due to the weather, obdurate rearguard batting from opponents and Wellingborough (!), the First Eleven went through June without a win and have not tasted victory since May 19th.

JUNE 23rd   DRAW

Wollaston 225 for 4  46 overs     Weekley  150 for 8    51 overs

Wollaston dominated a strengthened Weekley and Warkton side without being able to force a victory on a day when the weather proved better than expected. Sent in first after yet another lost toss, the home side's openers reached 49 in good time before Jones (23) was caught behind and consecutively Shelton (26) fell in bizarre circumstances. This brought together Dave Mercer (69) and Steve Musgrave, who registered his first half century since his return to the club in a partnership of 131 before eventually falling for an 84 ball 73. Both men hit 3 sixes as the away side were forced to use 7 bowlers in an attempt to contain the dominant pair and it was left to Mark Ralph (19*) to move his side to 225 and maximum batting points.
 
Ironically Wollaston struck too early in the Weekley reply, with the dangerous Chris Perry (3-34) bowling star player Ricky Joseph in the second over. With his departure went all the away side's attacking intent and although Jeff Connon (2-44) and John Pike (2-25) reduced them to 65-6, captain Andy Tilley's dour 42 saw his side to safety after the loss of 3 overs to a rain break.

JUNE 16TH

Rothwell 89 for 4 off 24 overs  Game abandoned - Rain

Rothwell lost James Swingler for a duck before fellow opener Paul Budworth (22) and number three Richard Panter (15) brought some degree of stability to the innings. They were both finally sent on their way along with Marcus Steed - LBW for 36, before the rain had the last word. Jeff Connon finished with 2 for 24 off 6 overs, Simon Driver 1 for 23 off 6 and Steve Musgrave 1 for 7 off 4. Rothwell 2 points  - Wollaston 4 points

June 9th LOST

Wellingborough 189 all out  50 overs   Wollaston 148 all out 48 overs

Opener Tim Coleman's 65 was the foundation of the visitors innings and along with number five Vishal Thanki's 24 and number six, Tony Walker's 28, gave Wellingborough something to defend. Left arm spinner Chris Perry bowled very well for his 5 for 37 off 10, and was helped by John Pike's 2 for 30 off 9. 

Wollaston's reply never looked like threatening the Town's modest total. Both openers, Nick Shelton and Mathew Jones, fell for 10 and it took number five Mark Ralph with 42 to give the innings some semblance of respectability.  However when he was bowled by Sam Owen (4 for 36 off 14) a win looked decidedly unlikely and defeat loomed for the Villagers. But number 10 John Pike had other ideas, and his magnificent maiden First Eleven 50 took Wollaston to the brink of safety before he was eventually caught by Tim Coleman off the bowling of Craig McDonald for 51 and give Wellingborough victory with 13 balls to spare.

June 2nd

Wollaston 170-8 (50 overs) ON's 2nds 137-9 (50 overs)  Draw 12 points

Wollaston's winning run came to an end at ON's, but only at the expense of a winning draw. With yet another toss going the way of our opposition we found ourselves at the crease against a youthful opponent. Openers Matthew Jones and skipper Harmit Bahra (?!?!?!?) started well, putting on 54 for the first wicket on a pitch that would prove difficult to score on if the bowlers found the correct line and length. Jones's 29 was to prove the highest score of the innings as both Steve Musgrave and Dave Mercer threatened and then fell, and Simon Driver and Tim Hudson both failed to turn starts into significant innings. It was left to last week's number 3, Chris Perry (15*) and last week's opener Mark Carter (21*) to provide some late acceleration down the order in a swift partnership of 28.
 
The home side's openers started at a crawl with Jeff Connon(6 overs for 10) and Driver (5 overs for 11) keeping a tight rein on the scoring, the big Aussie being particularly unfortunate not to pick up a wicket. By the time drinks were taken, the score had reached just 48-2 and the asking rate had risen to a 5 an over and we began to work our way through their middle order with Muzzy (2-26) and Pez (2-39) picking up wickets. The highest score of the game was to come from ON's number seven, Worthington, who made a whirlwind 53 ball 63 - chancing his arm to strike some crisp boundaries, but he received little support and eventually holed out to Bahra who returned to complete his 5 wickets for 31 in 12 overs. There was to be no repeat of the last over dramatics against the Indians as the last pair safely negotiated  the final 6 balls.

May 26th

Wollaston 1st XI v Brixworth- Brixworth won toss and elected to bowl

Wollaston- 202-7 (50overs) Brixworth- 74-1 (18overs)  Draw

The game between Wollaston and Brixworth was lost to the rain just when intriguingly poised. Wollaston batted first and found themselves two down inside the first five overs. It was not until Steve Musgrave(26) joined Matt Jones (63) at the crease did runs start to come but the introduction of the miserly Colin Sibley (15overs 3-34) checked any ideas of acceleration. Sibley account for the opposition’s middle order and when Andy Roper on his return had Jones caught behind, the home side looked to be well positioned. Tim Hudson and John Pike had other ideas however and combined to add 38 and 39 respectively in an entertaining and hard run partnership over the last 10 overs and take the score over the 200 mark.

The Brixworth innings began badly with Pike picking up an early scalp but soon gathered momentum under greying skies with Paul Gardiner’s aggressive 52. As the rain grew heavier both teams made every effort to continue but had to admit defeat in the interest of safety, with the home side 74-1 after 18 overs.

May 19th 

Wollaston 200 for 9  46 overs - Corby 116 all out 40 overs  29 points

Simon Driver's rapid 47 off just 27 balls allied to Mark Ralph's 38 off 38 balls gave Wollaston the impetus needed for a timely declaration. The 200 came up one over earlier than the previous week and gave stand-in skipper Mathew Jones the luxury of four extra overs at the Steelmen. Openers Jones (37) and Nick Shelton (17) gave the hosts a steady start and Dave Mercer's 22 warmed things up for the Driver / Ralph onslaught. Twenty extras boosted the total as did Chris Perry's massive six in the penultimate over.

John Pike, returning to the side after becoming a proud father opened the bowling with Jeff Connon, and the seamers picked up 2 wickets and one wicket respectively. The spinners were then introduced into the attack and bowled a tight line without getting much tangible success. Steve Musgrave and Simon Parsons both added one wicket to their tally while Chris Perry bowled his 10 overs for just 12 runs.

However for the second time in the game Driver's  introduction changed the complexion completely. He ran though the Corby batting line up to return the magnificent figures of 5 for 9 off just 5.2 overs and win the game for the league leaders with 14 overs to spare   

May 12th 

Wollaston 200 all out 47 overs - Isham 144 all out 45 overs

Wollaston’s winning start to the season continued at Isham on a sticky wicket. Batting first after losing the toss, scoring was initially difficult as the home side’s nagging line and length was assisted by elaborate seam movement. Matt Jones and Liam Bates looked to have negotiated the worst of it when both fell in quick succession, Batesy having taken some serious body blows. Dave Mercer (70) and Steve Musgrave put back on track before the later was unluckily run out. Mark Ralph Ralphy, Mark Carter, Chris Perry and Simon Parsons all made contributions in the middle without kicking on. For them, Shaun Wills with 4-38 found conditions to his liking and Will Chudley 3-56 picked up wicket towards the end of the innings when we pushing on. The innings ended 2 balls before the declaration was coming on exactly 200.

Isham’s response began strongly and we were not able to find a breakthrough until the score had reached 70 when Gareth Eaton (22) was stumped. The spinners then took the game by the scruff on the neck and 92-2 soon became 140-9 as the dangerous Chris Perry’s left arm spin found turn and bounce to his liking. His 15 over spell produced 5-33 including the wicket of Ben Reid for 74 and in combination with Muzzy (3-44 from 15) ran through the home side’s middle order. Jeff needed only one delivery of his return spell to remove Isham’s retreating number 11 and wrap up the victory. The turning point seemed to be when Carts unfortunately had to leave the field and Elvis entered the fray as substitute fielder and the wickets began to tumble! An encouraging start to his first team career for David Clarkson who was awarded his club cap and the number 151.  Wollaston 29 points.

May 5th

Wollaston 207 all out 50 0vers Wellingboro Indians 165 all out 50 overs

The First Eleven completed brilliant victory over the Indians on a day when Simon Driver advertised his all-round talents (and I don’t mean in the showers). Shelton and Jones had taken us to around the thirty mark when Nick’s drive was beaten by an inswinger from the Indian’s charming skipper. Jones and Bates soon followed and when Dave Mercer and Steve Musgrave fell to consecutive deliveries, 49-5 after 20 overs was a bit of a hole. Mark Ralph’s measured counter attacking was excellent to watch and he deserved more than the 46 he had when he chipped back to the bowler. Driver then provided the momentum for our 207 all out with a run a ball 71, signing off with 2 lusty 6s and putting on 50 with the dangerous Chris Perry. Connon’s hoist over the ropes ended the innings in style, at least 50 more than expected on the board.

With their skipper’s ringing endorsement of our fair play fresh in our minds we took to the field. Jeff produced a fiery opening spell full of pace and aggression and Driver found an excellent line with both taking a wicket. He was particularly unfortunate, having one opener dropped in the slips and their number 4 given not out on a caught behind in a disastrous blunder by the umpire. This should have been 10 for 3 after 10 overs but it was not to be and a partnership developed that threatened our impressive home record. After starting the day with a golden nugget, Muzzy was determined to influence the game and that he did in his very first over as Joshi (48) chipped to mid on. Skipper Harmit Bahra was back at his best and the two toiled away as all possible results remained a possibility. Batsmen came and went and just as it seemed the Indians would hang on for a draw, a late twist sent us delirious. With 5 balls of the last over resolutely defended, their tail ender lunged for the last ball of the game and feathered an edge through to Mark Carter behind the stumps. The finger went up and Muzzy was off on a footballer-like celebration with the rest of us chasing him.

A brilliant win and a dose of fighting spirit to boot. Muff and Ralphy were excellent with the bat, Muz and all the bowlers kept us in the game and mention too for Carts behind the stumps who ended up with 5 victims.

April 28th

Kettering 185 all out in 50 overs     Wollaston 189 for 4 in 47.3 overs 

For the second successive week Wollaston went into the field first, this time however on Kettering skipper Mark Allbright’s request after he called the toss correctly. The home side started well with openers Steve Wilson (34) and Vijay Sisodia (29) taking the score past 50. Just as they began to accelerate the scoring rate as the slow men came into the visitor’s attack, both fell. Chris Perry completed his 15 overs in one spell at a cost of just 24 and Steve Musgrave marking his return to Wollaston colours with excellent control to finish 13 overs for 32. Both men accounted for 4 of the town side’s men as the pressure increased and runs became a premium. Allbright’s arrival at the crease was full of aggressive intent and the by the time he had plundered 46 not out from 23 balls, his team score of 185 all out seemed to be a challenging one.

Wollaston’s chase began confidently enough but it was not until Dave Mercer (48) joined Nick Shelton that the reply gained momentum. Shelton ‘s gritty knock ended on one short of a deserved half-century but their partnership of 80 had taken the visitors over the 100 mark. Mark Ralph (33 not out) then took the responsibility of seeing Wollaston home and that he did in the 47^th over with a straight six off spinner Pathan (1-38 from 14.3). Musgrave completed a solid day by being there at the end after Allbright had given his team a fighting chance with 2-44 from 12 overs.

April 21st

Great Oakley 77 all out - Wollaston 77 for 4    April 21st away     Scorecard

Wollaston started their 2007 campaign with an emphatic victory over Great Oakley, the game lasting under half the allotted overs. Inserted by Wollaston captain Harmit Bahra, Oakley made a positive start to their innings until Jeff Connon struck twice in quick succession to check the run rate. From the other end Simon Driver induced an edge through to wicketkeeper Mark Carter and bowled Lee Bell after a hard hitting cameo of 31 to leave the home side in real trouble. The Corby side never recovered as the slow men took over the reigns, the skipper's 4 wickets came at a cost of just 10 runs and dangerous left arm spinner Chris Perry's 2 scalps, 8.
 
Wollaston's chase was not as simple as we would have hoped with 4 men down by the time the winning runs were hit. Ryan Bell's pacey early spell produced 1-26 and Chris Bell's wily left arm spinners accounted for 2 of the away side's top order but the odds were stacked against them with such a low score to defend on an excellent early season wicket and lightening quick outfield. Matt Jones held firm for the visitors with 8 fours in his 43 not out to see last seasons runners up home in 21 overs to claim 25 points.