Hartley: 'It's win or bust for us now'

Pete Phillips • Published 19 Aug 2009 09:00 0 Comments

WOKINGHAM vice-captain Nick Hartley has called on his improving side to start turning impressive performances into victories as they prepare for this Saturday's 'must-win' clash at local rivals Reading.

Wokingham have produced two much-improved displays against Falkland and Beaconsfield in recent weeks but have just been unable to close the games out and secure the wins that would have eased their Division Two West relegation fears.

Hartley, who will captain the side at Sonning Lane this weekend in the absence of regular skipper Martin Bushell, has been encouraged by Wokingham's recent displays but knows they must start converting encouraging performances into wins if they are to beat the drop with just three games to go.

He said: "We've closed up a bit on the teams above us in the table but there can't be any messing around now, we have to win this weekend.

"We took 15 points from last weekend's draw against Beaconsfield but more than that we took a lot of confidence. We've played well in the last two weeks and are picking up momentum at the right time, but we have to start winning games now."

Rukshan Soza is also unavailable for this weekend's clash but Wokingham welcome back Pete Browitt and Rahu Thava for what will be a tough test against an in-form Reading side who have won four of their last six games.

"Reading are a strong side with a good batting line-up," admitted Hartley. "They're obviously confident at the moment and will come out attacking but we're in decent nick ourselves and will just have to match them."

Wokingham certainly seem to have found their form with the bat recently as they made 300-7 against Beaconsfield last weekend - only to be denied victory by a stubborn batting display from the visitors.

Wokingham got off to a flying start in their innings as they blasted 100 off the opening 15 overs and all their key batsmen went on to make important contributions.

Soza (49), Sunny Grover (57), Kwame Appiah (56), Stuart Parsons (30no) and Adam England (29) all chipped in as Wokingham declared on 300-7 after 58 overs. Jon Mahood was the pick of the Beaconsfield bowlers with 3-70.

Beaconsfield's reply got off to a brisk start but once they lost four quick wickets with only 50 on the board, they shut up shop and seemed content to play out for the draw.

Luc Walker (56) and Shakel Ahmed (41) helped see them safely to the close on 186-7, with Ryan Hiscoe (3-65) and Simon Myles (3-50) the pick of the Wokingham attack.

"We produced the batting performance we've been looking for all season," Hartley said. "Getting 100 off the first 15 overs set us up for a good score and everyone then chipped in.

"I thought they might be more positive in going for it but they shut up shop once they'd lost four quick wickets.

"It was disappointing and frustrating but it was always going to be hard to bowl a side out on that pitch so to get them seven down was a great effort.

"Although we couldn't secure the win, we still took a lot of confidence from the game."

Tweet

Post a comment

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

If you are registered with us, you can login here. If you are not registered, do so now.
Once logged in you wont have to complete word verification each time you post.

Prefer not to register?

Screen Name *required

Email (not displayed) *required

Usernames must be 4 - 20 characters. Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users can also take part in competitions and other features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Follow @rdgchronicle