Washington kept their unbeaten start to the season intact with a hard-fought draw on Sunday. they bowled out Private Eye team Lord Gnome for 144, but were left hanging on for a draw when the game ended. The day began well for the Wash. Skipper Dave Walker won the toss his bowlers took early wickets. Jimmy Wood (2-18) bagged two and six-foot newcomer Rob Crossley (2-52) produced a brilliant caught and bowled to get rid of the dangerous Matt Cannon, Aussie leg-spinner Justin Gurney grabbed three more and Wash seemed in control: only a brilliant innings by 17 year old Oliver Dunthorne (68 not out) brought his side's total any respectability.
Gnome, however, are at their most dangerous when they are down, as Wash found to their cost. Early wickets fell cheaply, and it needed a captain's innings from Dave Walker(36) to steady the ship. Whilst he and Crossley (40) were together, victory seemed possible, but their dismissal left last wicket pair, Gurney and Tim Sparkes, holding on for the draw.
Wash closed on 129-9: it was, said Walker, 'a draw with honour'
Washington: Walker, Gluckman, Moffatt, Wickers, Sparkes, Gurney, Persaud, Edwards, Crossley, Wood.
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