Basingstoke and North Hants cricket club were forced to settle for a draw after failing to see off High Wycombe II in their Thames Valley Division One clash on Saturday July 24.
Needing just one wicket with five overs remaining, ‘Stoke were unable to break the stoic Wycombe tail making it two games without a win for Russell Droy’s side.
‘Stoke batted first and were guilt of a sloppy start and at one stage were languishing on 19-3 and in need of some brawn to beef up their innings.
Skipper Droy (5), Ben Foxley (9) and Andy Giles (1) all failed to make double figures as Daniel Senior picked up a pair of wickets.
Thankfully the Bountymen were saved by the heroics of Daniel Coombs, who made his way towards an inspired half century.
Mathew Thankachan (7) was unable to provide much in the way of support but a timely 29 from Darren Rouse saw the pair put on the first partnership of note.
But Rouse was dispatched by Andrew Downing, sending Chris Froud to the crease.
His knock of 15 did little did aid the ‘Stoke cause and Nigel Williamson (11) gave a disappointing performance with the bat.
Luckily the Basingstoke tail did wag, with Martyn James hitting 30 to see the Bountymen past the 200 mark, settling for 210 from their 52 overs.
Save for a few notable knocks there was little to get excited about in Wycomb’s response.
Opener John Stevens hit 37 but Ali Birkby (5) and Robbie Jones (9) failed to provide any kind of spark at the top of the innings.
When Mark Thompson departed for eight it was obvious Wycombe had a battle on their hands to salvage anything from the game.
Mark Morgan gave his side some backbone but Andrew Downing and Simon Bird both walked back to the pavilion with ducks.
The game plan from Wycombe was now abundantly clear – do not lose wickets.
George Russell, the last man in, needed to support Mark Morgan, edging his way past the 40 mark, and keep their wickets for the last five overs.
Whether through fine defensive batting or a lack of bite from the ‘Stoke bowlers, no other wicket fell as the sides were forced to share the points.
