This week “Baloo the Jugster” travelled around the M25 to take on Slough. With only one point separating the two teams, the toss was vital and Slough captain Zaheer Sher had no hesitation in asking us to bat after winning the toss.

The old opening pair of Liam Gough and AJ Woodland was back together and the two showed some great fight as they dug in against the Slough opening attack. Although not scoring freely, denying our hosts early wickets was a great result for us.

By lunch, Gough and Woodland took the score 104 without lost off 32 overs, which is the best opening partnership we’ve had this season. Resuming on 45 after lunch, Gough was bowled for 48 and unfortunately Charlie Macdonell and Michael Payne’s brief stays at the crease meant that we quickly found the advantage of that initial platform was taken away.

A rebuilding was required but with overs running out the score had to be pushed along against an all-out spin attack. Woodland and Captain Shelvin Gumbs put on 22 before the latter was dismissed for 16. The Woodland – Brent partnership of 40 was a much needed one before David Brent was out on 21 and Woodland was next to depart for a well-played 70. Our innings ended with our score on 233 off 64 overs.

Slough opener Fahim Qureshi got off to a quick start scoring 23 from 18 balls before being caught behind the Jeremy O’Neill off the bowling of David Brent. Slough’s number three, Conrad Louth survived an early but difficult caught and bowled chance and with that the opportunity for our bowlers to make the crucial breakthrough. Louth’s 58 provided the backbone of Slough’s chase and was supported with 75 from overseas batsman Shahid Yousaf, our hosts reached their target in the 42nd over having lost four wickets.

With 11 of the 18 matches completed, the First Team now in fourth in the league, 38 points behind leaders Aston Rowant. Next week we host Horspath who are currently eighth in the table.

SECONDS, THIRDS & FOURTHS

The Second Team took on Ickenham at London Road in a battle between the top two in their division. Ickenham put us into bat and we looked well set at 100-2 for Buckinghamshire U17 pair Solly Woodall and Jack Rodnight looking well set at the crease having put on 63 for the third wicket. Rodnight was then dismissed and two overs later Woodall was out to a good catch at mid-wicket for his second consecutive half century. The last eight wickets fell for just 48 runs as a sub standard and disappointing total of 148 was posted on a good batting track.

The opening pair of Mo Choudhry and Charlie Greer bowled well and Greer was rewarded with the first wicket as Ali Partner took a stunning one handed catch at second slip.

Choudhry then reduced the total to 47-2 as Lawrence Snookes to a sharp catch at point. A couple more quick wickets at that point would have put the Second Team back in the game, but there was no more success until Rodnight was brought into the attack twelve overs later. He had immediate success as he bowled captain Elliot Evans with his first ball and removed Dan O’Driscoll LBW with the second ball of his next over, but it was all too late as Ickenham coasted to victory with more than 20 overs to spare.

The Second Team remain in second after Chiswick & Whitton lost to Sonning.

Mark Bater's Third Team made it three wins in four weeks with victory at Old Merchant Taylors. Our hosts batted first and were looking to build an impressive total when Bater introduced seamer Dan Boniface and leg spinner James Darraugh and the pair took six wickets as OMT's collapsed to 189 all out.

Our response started poorly as the OMT attack reduced our top order to 12-3. With the team under pressure, Angus Cumming (66) and Ant McCormack (40) put on a 94 run partnership that put the third team back in the driving seat. Cumming batted superbly looking at his fluent best as he scored his second half century for the club. Dan Tidey joined Cumming and struck a brisk 40 and it was left to Bater and Darraugh to see the Third Team to victory. We are now in second place, one point behind leaders Wraysbury and only 13 points separate the top four teams.

The Third Team will have to make do without their captain for this weekend's massive home game against Slough.

Andy Grout's Fourth Team made it six wins from six at home this season as they beat Marlow Park by 44 runs last weekend. Batting first, the Fourth Team posted 185-8 off their 40 overs with Josh Camm top scoring with 63 while there was also good contributions by Steve Wale (28) and Ed Pike (21).

Marlow Park were never really in the hunt and they were bowled out for 141 inside 38 overs. Krishna Kumar Mohan was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets while Ed Pike also impressed with 3-29.

READ GROUTY'S FULL REPORT

It was the penultimate round of the Tring Park T20 Blast on Sunday with wins for the Cougars and Cheetahs leaving the tournament finely balanced. The final round of games takes place on September 9th with the Cougars taking on the Panthers and the Cheetahs taking on the Tigers

Latest Table
8pts - Cheetahs
4pts - Cougars
4pts - Panthers
0pts - Tigers