First Team Beaten At 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 (pictured) 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.