WOKINGHAM skipper Stuart Hayter admits there are plenty of positives to emerge in the first half of the season and they are very much involved in the Home Counties Premier League Division Two promotion race, writes Dave Wright.

The Oaks reached the midway point of their fixtures with a draw against Amersham at Sadlers End, but picking up only seven points compared to their visitors’ 14 certainly didn’t reflect the closeness of the game.

They restricted their visitors, who had won their four previous games, to 237-6 in 58 overs with Hayter’s men making 197-8 from their 52 with Michael Bates finishing unbeaten on 92.

“The amount of each overs in this league makes quite a big difference in the end,” commented Hayter.

The game would also have been closer had Wokingham not put down a number of catches, with the captain admitting: “We didn’t field as well as we could have done. We dropped a few and that probably cost us 20 to 30 runs.

“In the end, we fell 40 short and that was a bit disappointing, but there were still plenty of positives to come out of the game, including another not out from Batesy for the third week in a row.”

He added: “We have been in positions in previous seasons where we folded, but now we are sticking things out. We’ve picked up seven points against a team who are strong in the timed game.”

Opener Hayter and his side had to contend with 26 overs of off-spin from their overseas star Madhuka Liyanapathiranage, who finished with 5-78 after bowling unchanged.

“It is difficult when you have got that at one end all the way through the innings, but that is how some teams are set up and you have to find ways to get around it,” commented Hayter.

l See pages 54-55 for more Wokingham CC news.