1sts defeated in run-fest at Wroxton

The visitors went into the game missing half their regular side of recent weeks and in baking hot conditions were asked to field which saw the home side rack up a large total to chase. Anser Aslam hit 122 and Basit Ahmed 52 as Wroxton took advantage of a ridiculous short boundary on one side and a lightning fast outfield to make 320 for 8.

Credit to Willoughby’s bowlers who toiled away in the heat with youngsters Calum Hanks and Dan Farrow coming in and taking a wicket, as did James Goodwin also drafted in from the 2nd XI who took 3 for 66. There was the added quirk of Wroxton’s final wicket being ‘timed out’ in keeping their reluctance to search for balls which pushed Willoughby’s time in the field to be far longer than anticipated.

In reply, the visitors exacted some revenge by batting through their full over entitlement, even if they fell some way short of the target. They closed on 203 for 9, having recovered from being 56 for 4, with the mainstay of the innings coming from stand-in skipper Ashley Rayner who typically led by example with a dogged and well-crafted unbeaten 90 not out. Shahnawaz Muhammed was the pick of the Wroxton bowling taking 3 for 36.