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2007 REVIEWED
FIRST ELEVEN MATCH REPORTS 2007 Second Eleven Reports Division One First Eleven Scorecards September 15th WON 27 points Champions! Geddington 154 all out 46 overs Wollaston 158 for 5 41 overs Wollaston finally clinched the Division One title with a fairly easy victory over division new boys Geddington. When it mattered, Harmit fortunately won the toss and inserted the visitors on a good batting pitch. Geddington didn't get the ideal start when Jeff Connon had Jahne Rudman caught off the second ball of the match by keeper Matt Jones, and things didn't immediately improve when 2 more wickets went down with the score stuck on 47. However, Matt Knight and Lee Pollard pulled thing round with a stand of 77 but when the latter was caught by Jeff Connon off Chris Perry for 79 the innings disintegrated, with the dangerous left arm spinner picking up 5 for 26 off 10 overs, and Steve Musgrave and Simon Driver picking up 2 wickets apiece. Wollaston's reply got off to a good start with Jones and Nick Shelton putting on 45 for the first wicket before the latter was caught by Jason Fox off the bowling of Tiann Raubenheimer for 15. Jones went on to score a measured 52, Liam Bates a cultured 30 and Dave Mercer, a steady 23 to take Wollaston to victory and capture the First Division title for the 5th time in the Club's history - and more importantly, promotion to the premier for the first time.
____________________________________________________________________ September 8th Won Wellingborough 208 for 6 in 50 overs Wollaston 211 for 9 in 49.5 overs In this crunch game Wollaston had the luck with the toss and decided to bowl first. Tim Coleman set his stall out to bat all afternoon and was rewarded with a century in this penultimate game of 2007. His 126 was more than half of the Town's total and he put on 108 for the first wicket with Sam Owen (41). However the visitors kept a fairly tight hold with Chris Perry taking 3 for 58 off 14 and John pike 2 for 31 off 5. Steve Musgrave completed his full allocation with only 39 scored off his 15. In reply openers Nick Shelton (72) and Matthew Jones (39) put on 66 for the first wicket before Vishal Thanki caught Jones of the bowling of Sam Owen. Liam Bates came and went without bothering the scorers but Mark Ralph (14) and David Mercer both hung around with Shelton long enough to put victory in sight. But the game could have gone either way at this stage with Steve Musgrave caught for a duck off Owen and Shelton eventually bowled by Craig McDonald. However, Simon Driver dug in with a solid 20 before being unluckily run out, John Pike struck a valuable eleven and it was left to skipper Harmit Bahra to scamper the winning runs with number eleven Jeff Connon at the other end and just one ball to spare. _____________________________________________________________________________
September 1st Won Rothwell 200 for 8 dec 49.3 overs Wollaston 201 for 848.5 overs Rothwell lost the toss and after being inserted found themselves in trouble at 13 for 2 with both openers - Stephen O'Brien and Bradley Pinal - back in the pavilion. Wicket keeper Matt Jones caught the former of seamer Simon Driver, and the latter was caught by Nick Shelton of Jeff Connon. However, number 3 James Swingler (42) pulled things around with the help of Richard Panter (50) and together they put on 65 for the 3rd wicket. At 94 for 4 Rothwell looked in a spot of bother but a typical 75 from number six Marcus Steed took the score into the realms of respectability and the declaration followed at 200 for 8 with 3 balls remaining. Driver finished with 3 for 60 off 13, and the rest of the wickets were shared around. Wollaston started their reply in confident fashion and although several batsmen got "starts" ( Jones 29, Liam Bates 41 and Mark Ralph 38) none of the top order went on to the big score that was needed, mainly thanks to James Swingler - 3 for 20 off 9 and Tony Hall- 3 for 42 off 12. But number six, Steve Musgrave found a willing partner in skipper Harmit Bahra and together they picked off the runs with 2 wickets and 7 balls to spare. __________________________________________________________ AUGUST 25th Draw Wollaston 225 for 4 dec 47 overs Weekley & Warkton 177 for 9 53 overs Although Wollaston had five overs at the last pair the visitors held on to deny the hosts' the victory they desperately needed to keep in the title race. Opener Mat Jones (73), number three Liam Bates (54) and Steve Musgrave (34) gave Wollaston the ideal platform to push for the win. Mark Ralph added a brisk 33 to set up the declaration after 47 overs. Ricky Joseph ( 2 for 43 off 12) and Joe Bailey (2 for 41 off 6) were the only bowlers to reap any tangible reward. In reply Joseph (50) and Bailey (29) continued their contribution by putting on 91 for the first wicket before home skipper Harmit Bahra removed both all-rounders in the space of two runs. Although the chase was on again at 133 for 3, it all changed when Steve Musgrave (2 for 25 off 6) and John Pike (3 for 6 off six) were finally introduced to the attack and Weekley were forced to re-think their strategy and dig in for the draw. Bahra finished with 3 for 68 off 15. _____________________________________________________________________________ August 18th Abandoned Wollaston 126 for 3 v ONs ll Match abandoned Although this game got underway on time it was no surprise when it was finally abandoned after the teams were forced off the field by rain in the middle of the afternoon. Wollaston were put into bat and both openers, Nick Shelton (26) and Matt Jones (14) departed the same way - caught by Peter White off the bowling of John Peck. The same bowler forced a rare error from normally "Mr. Reliable", Steve Musgrave, but this time the poucher was Elliott Davies who sent the number four back to the pavilion. However, number three, Liam Bates made a classy 32 not out and number five Mark Ralph a speedy 38 not out to put the hosts back on track before the rain came. _____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ August 11th Lost Wollaston 228 for 8 off 50 overs Brixworth 231 for 6 off 47.2 overs Marcus Shelton, opening the innings and playing his first game of the season, made a brisk 74, brother and fellow opener Nick made 26, Dave Mercer 39 and Steve Musgrave 30 to take Wollaston to a potentially defendable 228 for 8 in the allotted 50 overs. Colin Sibley bowled well for his 5 for 63 in 15 overs. Brixworth's reply was positive and a superb century by Fred Newborough ensured the visitor's went home with 29 points despite Steve Musgrave taking 3 for 54 off 10 overs. _____________________________________________________________
August 4th S&L Corby 154 all out in 47.5 overs Wollaston 155 for 0 in 30.4 overs
Wollaston held firm at the top of the table with a crushing
victory away at bottom side Corby. The home side took first use of the wicket
but struggled early against the pace of Jeff Connon (3-23) who made early
inroads into the top order. Fighting knocks from Steve Loveland (44), Michael
McIntyre (27) and skipper Martin Pearce (23) boosted the total to a 154 before
the final wicket fell. Slow bowlers Steve Musgrave and Harmit Bahra both
finished with 3 wickets. July 28th Isham 207 all out 47.5 overs Wollaston 204 for 9 54 overs
Isham
dented Wollaston's title chances by claiming a winning draw in this fixture.
Batting first, the away side were in some trouble at 32-3 as the Wollaston
opening bowlers struck early but the consolidation started when overseas players
Agha Sabir was joined at the crease by Will Chudley (24). After these two were
parted when the latter fell to John Pike (2-44) the remaining Isham players were
able to contribute little as Harmit Bahra (3-43) managed to find some control.
Sabir was finally caught for a hard hitting 128 and his demise to lead to the
innings ending 4 overs early. July 21st v Wellingborough Indians Away. Cancelled 1 point ____________________________________________________________________ July 14th Kettering 202 all out 49.5 overs Wollaston 204 for 6 46.3 overs Inserted on a good wicket Kettering were going well and a testing score looked on the cards. Although Simon Driver bowled Martin Reece with only 10 on the board opener Chris Fuller (52) and number 3 Steve Wilson (44) put on 86 for the second wicket. Number 4 Theo Brooks added 28 and Ajaz Khan Bathan a brisk 44 before he became Chris Perry's first victim - caught by Mark Ralph. However, the last six batsmen only added eleven runs from the bat and 164 for 4 spiralled to 202 all out. Perry finished with 3 for 53 off 12 overs but was bettered by Harmit Bahra 3 for 46 off 11. The hosts, reply was solid with opener Nick Shelton making 38, number 3 Steve Musgrave 41 and Darren Laughton completing the victory march with 68 not out including 1 x six and 9 x fours. July 10th BOARD 20 CUP Finedon Dolben 132 for 6 20 overs Wollaston 116 all out 20 overs Although the prospect of another day out at the County Ground this year was ended by the Premier Division's top team, Wollaston did not go down without a fight. Finedon were kept in reasonable check by the home bowlers with the Dangerous Chris Perry (4 overs 2 for 20) and seamer John Pike (4 overs 2 for 29) having the most influence. For Finedon, opener Jon Dunne made 56 before he was bowled by skipper Harmit Bahra and aussie John McLaughlin made 24 prior to becoming one of Perry's victims - departing caught and bowled. Although Wollaston made steady progress the reply was always slightly behind the asking rate - mainly due to accurate bowling and high class fielding from the Cup favorites Openers Mark Ralph and Liam Bates made 10 and 15 respectively, and Steve Musgave 16 but no one pushed on to cause to much panic in the Dolben's ranks. Lower down in the order Darren Laughton stroked a lusty 16 including a big six, but in the end the reply was 3 or 4 boundaries short of a winning total. July 7th Win !
Wollaston 201-7
47 overs dec - Gt
Oakley 164 all out 53 overs 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. 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
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.
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
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 47th 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.
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