This week “Baloo the Jugster” travelled to Oxford University Press Sports Ground where we were hosted by Oxford. Having won the toss, Shelvin Gumbs decided to take to the field offering Oxford first use of the pitch.

As he has done so frequently throughout the season, David Brent made an early breakthrough taking the first Oxford wicket in the 7th over. Simon Stanway was extremely economical conceding only 11 runs from his 8 overs. Although not scoring at an express pace, Oxford kept the scoreboard ticking at the other end but not without losing wickets at regular intervals.

At tenacious knock of 70 from 99 by Muhammad Ayub was the main stay of the Oxford innings as they finished on 220 for 9 at the end of their 50 overs. Wickets were taken by Michael Payne (3), David Brent (2), Shelvin Gumbs (2) and Andy Harris (1).

At the start of our innings there was a setback with the early loss of AJ Woodland’s wicket. This was quickly followed by the wickets of Payne, Andy Dixon and Liam Gough, before Brent and Gumbs set about rebuilding the innings with a partnership of 65. Brent then held out caught & bowled and the only other partnership of note was 25 between Gumbs and Wicket-keeper Jeremy O’Neill.

The late introduction of Connor Kilpatrick into the attack saw the pitch offering variable bounce creating a challenge for the our batters before we were bowled out for 166 in the 44th over.

With two games remaining, we are fifth in the League, 48 points behind leaders Slough.

“Baloo the Jugster” will make his final appearance at home this Saturday as we take on Finchampstead who are in 7th place in the league.

SECONDS, THIRDS & FOURTHS

The Second Team beat Ruislip by 72 runs to maintain their second place in the table mainly thanks to excellent bowling from Lawrence Snookes who bowled fast, full and straight to take four wickets, all clean bowled. After the game, captain Toby Wastling also commented on his very good slower ball.

In his first spell he took the wicket of opener, Nik Mills, for 22 after a solid opening partnership of 43. He later returned to blow away the lower order as he took three wickets in thirteen balls and concede just one run to complete the victory.

Charlie Greer took the second wicket thanks to a catch at slip high above his head by Richard Ambrose. This brought Stephen Windsor to the wicket, fresh from his century against Kew last week, but he lasted only eight balls as Greer found the edge of his bat for another slip catch by Ambrose.

Chris Curry joined the attack in the 15th over and bowled the big hitters, Parminder Singh and Tim Bell to reduce Ruislip to 124 for 5. A win was all but guaranteed when Wastling chipped in with two wickets as the score slumped further to 131 for 7, before the re-introduction of Snookes brought up victory.

Our total of 227-7 from 45 overs was less than had looked likely with the score on 134-2 from 23 overs. Will Darraugh was then bowled for 27 from 18 balls as played across a straight ball and in the next over Ambrose was caught behind for 48 from a ball that moved away.

When Wastling was out for 12, Steve Dutch joined Ant McCormack for a sixth wicket partnership of 55. Dutch the upped scoring rate up with 30 from 36 balls as McCormack played the anchor role with his 41 not out.

McCormack’s batting has shown very pleasing improvement this season. In early June he was playing for the Fourth Team, but has since played seven times for the Second Team scoring 142 runs at an average of over 35.

A total of 227 was a little disappointing, but on a pitch that was clearly not easy for stroke play, we were confident of the victory that came.

The Third Team went into another game knowing nothing but a win would do to keep their promotion hopes alive, and when professional tosser Mark Bater won once again, he inserted our hosts Farnham Royal and we went into the field.

Toby Seagrave led the way with the classic leg side wide, off side wide, jaffa combination to pick up the first of his four wickets in the first over, putting early pressure on our hosts.

Angus Cumming then picked up the fifth with another classic combination, a beamer followed by a full one to claim his first wicket bowled. A proficient bowling performance, with wickets also coming from Dan Boniface and James Darraugh, saw us bowl out Farnham Royal and leave ourselves a modest chase of 98.

So modest, in fact, we decided to handicap ourselves, and started our innings by falling to 0-3 in 1.4 overs. When Cumming was dismissed to leave us 33-4, we went into tea feeling anything but comfortable.

A sturdy partnership between James Darraugh and Mark Bater after tea however, put any fears to rest. The loss of Bater brought in wicket-keeper James Wheeler, who saw us home with a lovely array of shots as we eventually coasted home by five wickets.

Andy Grout's Fourth Team made it eight wins from eight at London Road this summer with a five wicket win against NPL Teddington. Our visitors posted 189-5 from their 40 overs after they won the toss, with four of our five bowlers picking up a wicket a piece.

Despite Ali Partner's cultured 41 at the top of the order, we slipped to 103-5 as Nick Wale joined brother Steve at the crease. The pair counter attacked with attacking strokeplay and clever running as chased the total down with just over three overs remaining. The brothers finished unbeaten with Steve on 60 and Nick on 47.

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