Oundle Rovers 233-7, Old Wykehamists 120.
The Rovers progressed to the Beechbrook Capital Cricketer Cup 2nd Round with a resounding, albeit hard fought, victory over the Old Wykehamists at Oundle.
With the Oundle ground looking resplendant the Rovers took advantage of winning the toss and gradually compiled an excellent score. Ralph Hayward (24), on Cricketer Cup debut, helped lay a decent foundation, but Oundle were having to work hard at 75 for 4. Greg Smith (58) and Charlie Fernandes (84*) produced an excellent mature partnership of 76 to set up a last 5 over acceleration. With captain Will Street (20*) at the other end, Charlie then grabbed that opportunity and took the Rovers score well beyond what had seemed likely earlier in the day, including three sixes in the last over. Will and Charlie’s unbroken partnership of 66 surpassed the 40 year old Rovers 8th wicket record stand.
The Winchester innings was bejewelled by magical moments from the Rovers’ “retirees”. Jules Mcalpine (1-27) was too good for Winchester’s professional opening bat and Stephen Lowe (4 wicketkeeper victims) produced a clinical leg side stumping and a true “Worldy ” diving catch to leave the Wykehamist innings in tatters. The Oundle spin sextet of Street (2-25), Fernandes (0-21), Simeon’s (2-16), Park (1-4), Graves (2-11 off 10) and remarkably Smith (1-1) were too accurate for the Wykehamist batting effort. Oundle ran out winners by 113 runs.
The next round is at Eastbourne on 28 June. All support encouraged.
