Wraysbury rip up form book to beat Taplow

The form book was ripped up and shredded by Wraysbury on Saturday as they recorded a four-wicket win against league leaders Taplow.

A recent slump in form saw Wraysbury slip dramatically off the pace in Chilterns League Division 1 while the defending champions Taplow have turned on the style and looked unstoppable – until Saturday that is.

Skipper Gordon Morgan has had plenty to moan about recently and it appears that his rants have paid off against Will Midlane’s Taplow as his side moved up to second in the league and closed the gap on the leaders.

“How can I explain us,” laughed Morgan. “Some-times we’re good, sometimes we’re bad. There’s still a lot to play for.

“On our day we can beat them. When we’ve played them before we fell apart, but this time we fielded very well. That’s been the problem with us this year in previous matches – fielding.”

Wraysbury won the toss and put the visitors in to bat. Immediately, Taplow struggled as Lykat Choule found his line and length, finishing with figures of 4-53 in 15 overs.

He was backed up by Andy Pasard who took 3-27 and Steve Karim (2-31) to skittle Taplow all out for 177 in 40 overs. Mills top scored with a knock of 47.

In response, Wraysbury raced to victory in 35 overs as Mick Nutt recorded 90 alongside Salmin Butt (21 not out) to see the home side safely to 178-6, despite Perera’s bowling figures of 5-63.

“We bowled much better this week,” said Morgan.

“They were slightly weakened as Nilam has gone back to Sri Lanka and we weren’t chasing a big total. A couple of decisions went against us but we hung on. A win’s a win.”

Morgan admitted that Wraysbury’s recent slump may have come about because of his hard line approach to the players, but said that against Taplow his side did him proud.

He said: “Maybe I was expecting too much of them before. I said to the guys that it’s down to individuals and that they should go out there and do their best for the team and they did. They pulled their socks up and we did everything right for a change.”

With five games left this season, Wraysbury are still dreaming of winning the title off Taplow, and Morgan believes that is now a realistic ambition.

“We’re right back in it,” he said. “There’s five games to go and the win has made a huge difference and is a big confidence to the boys.”