Week 16 – The Wiggett & Walsingham Show

Weather forecasts are as reliable as chocolate teapots. On Friday, the forecast made it highly unlikely any cricket would be played. But come Saturday and all four teams got matches in without significant reduction.

1s v Finchampstead 3

A delayed start saw the loss of two overs – a 43 over match. Ascot won the toss and elected to bowl first. Finchampstead got off to a good start helped by the bowlers with a significant amount of wides but then Nick Wiggett struck to remove the top three and reduce Finch to 46 for 3.

The introduction of Tharindu into the attack saw the fourth wicket go at 55 and Tom Walsingham taking his third catch. Finch rebuilt with a 28 run stand for the fifth wicket and then a 42 run stand for the sixth wicket between Scott Osler (22) and Gareth Fearon (35) with Walsingham getting the former and Nick Wiggett coming back into the attack to get the latter.

Finch then fell from 125 for 5 to 154 all out as Nick Wiggett with 4 for 35 and Tom Walsingham 3 for 20, the pick of the Ascot attack.

Ascot got off to a brisk start putting on 50 before James Wensley fell for 26. Jem Bains (16) and Mike Breet then put on another half century partnership for the second wicket. Breet fell for 61 but Tom Walsingham helped see Ascot home with 34 not out to win by 6 wickets.

2s v Binfield 2

The 2s went on the road to nearby Binfield. Binfield won the toss and elected to field first. Runs were initially hard to come by and Ascot were soon in trouble at 29 for 3. A fourth wicket partnership between Jeremy Wing (32) and Ian Dawkins put on 63. Another three wickets fell quickly but a rally from Saria Muhammad (24) and Ian Dawkins anchoring the innings with 75 helped Ascot reach a respectable 186 for 8 off 45 overs. The wickets were shared around the Binfield attack with four bowlers taking two wickets each.

Binfield suffered a similar start and were 44 for 4 with Tim Howson taking 3 for 30. The recovery was led by Andy Mills (24) and Matt Humphrey and when Mills was caught behind Adam Carson continued the fight back. At 154 for 5, Binfield were in control of the match and inspiration was needed. Skipper Jason Carr has Carson caught for 30 and then Ben Clark out next ball. Binfield were 154 for 7.

The introduction of Jeremy Wing saw him take the pivotal wicket of Matt Humphrey for 66. 155 for 8. Carr picked up the ninth wicket to take 3 for 29 and then Wing wrapped up the innings as Nathan Warwick was caught to see Binfield all out for 161 with 17 balls remaining. A great comeback by Ascot to take the win.

3s v Cove 3

The 3s were at Locks Ride with Cove 3 the visitors. Ascot won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite several players getting into double figures, with Andy Wiggett top scoring with 23, Ascot reached an under-par 130 all out in 38.5 overs. Chris Farmiloe was the pick of the Cove attack with 3 for 40.

In reply, Cove comfortably reached the target by 6 wickets and over 12 overs remaining with Joseph Annette anchoring the chase with 70 not out.