Scorecard

Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 1XI- Saturday v Falkland 2 on Sat 16 May 2015 at 1.00
Thatcham Town Cricket Club Won by 112 runs

Match report Thatcham came out on top in the local derby versus Falkland 2's on Saturday at Brownsfield to set the early pace in Thames Valley Division 3a.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, the home side made a solid, if unspectacular, start against some tight Falkland bowling from Mark Baker and Sam Trumper. A good opening partnership had progressed to 86 without loss before the introduction of Nigel Trumper saw the end of Josh O'Flynn for a fine 46, Falkland skipper Graham Beal pouching a good catch at slip. The dangerous Felix Hartley Russell entered the fray with a good base and although he was his usual aggressive self, it wasn't really a pitch conducive to Hartley Russell's belligerent style and the experienced Peter Randall took his wicket for 23. Duncan Johnson joined Rider and the Thatcham skipper benefitted from a big slice of luck when he drove to Lennox at extra cover, but the chance was spilt, Randall the unlucky bowler. Rider has reached a fine 50 but was gone soon after as he tried to hit the off spin of Beal and was bowled. Jack Young was his usual busy self at the crease, using his feet and he timed the ball beautifully in a little gem of an innings, 24 in quick time before the returning Baker took his wicket. The introduction of leg spinner James Bird in the 45th over proved successful for the visitors as he claimed three quick wickets, first to go was Jamie Young for 0, followed by Steve Bartholomew for 3 and then Johnson for 36 as they all tried to up the ante. It was left to John Williams and Callum Johnson to get their side up to 229-7 when the declaration came in the 50th over.

James Bird 3 for 8 from just 3 overs was the most successful bowler with the vastly experienced quartet of Mark Baker, Nigel Trumper, Peter Randall and Graham Beal weighing in with a wicket apiece.

A quick breakthrough was required for the home side to get out of the blocks but David Bloor and James Bird saw out the first ten overs with little alarm as they opened up with a 37 run partnership. Scott Gibson finally got his reward for an excellent spell of in-swing bowling when James Bird edged through to Chris Bird at first slip for 21. Spin then took over as Bird and John Williams took control of the game. Andy Townsend edged Bird through to Jack Young for 1 and Bloor soon followed to Williams for 21. Bird took out the middle order, skipper Graham Beal edged to his opposite number at slip for 7 and Ian Dadd nicked through to Jack Young for 2 as the Thatcham spinners turned the screw. Ben Thomas looked to be positive and hit three 4's before falling lbw to Wiliams for 14 and when Mark Baker was brilliantly run out by Jamie Young for 8, Falkland were in bother at 88-7 with 15 overs still to see out. Peter Randall edged Bird to John Williams at slip for 4 and it was left to the father and son combination of Nigel Trumper and Sam Trumper to try and save the game for their side. They batted well, leaving good deliveries and hitting the bad balls and held the home side up, adding 15 together before Sam drove hard back at Williams who held on and the younger Trumper had to go for 25. Thatcham had 6 overs left to win the game and it vital that as many balls were bowled at the number 11 Freddie Lennox as possible. Nigel Trumper tried to farm the strike where he could but when Lennox found himself facing Williams he just couldn't resist trying to hit him over the top and Jamie Young, back peddling at mid-on, took a fantastic catch to win the game for his side. Falkland all out for 117 in 48th over to give Thatcham a maximum 25 point victory to go top of the table.

Chris Bird, 16 overs 4-33 and John Williams, 14.1 overs 4-36 were the match winners for the home side, both bowling some unplayable left arm spin at times and if they both carry on in this vein, Thatcham will be a real force to be reckoned with.

Thatcham entertain Newbury in another local derby at Brownsfield on Saturday as they look to continue their fine start to the campaign.

Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 1XI- Saturday Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
2nb 10w 8b 9lb 
for 7 wickets
29
229		        
Simon Rider Bowled  56 7
Josh O'Flynn Caught  46 5
Felix Hartley Russell Caught  23 2 1
Duncan Johnson Caught  36 2 1 1
Jack Young Caught  24 3 1 2
Jamie Young Caught  0 1 1
Steve Bartholomew Bowled  3
John Williams Not Out  9 1 2
Callum Johnson Not Out  3
Scott Gibson  
Chris Bird   2

Falkland 2 Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Mark Baker13.0145145.003.46
Sam Trumper7.002700.003.86
Peter Randall10.0043143.004.30
Nigel Trumper12.0158158.004.83
Graham Beal5.0131131.006.20
James Bird3.00832.672.67

Falkland 2 Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
1nb 1w 4b  
for 10 wickets
6
117 (47.1 overs)		     
David Bloor Caught  21 4
James Bird Caught  21 3
Andrew Townsend Caught  1
Ian Dadd Caught  2
Graham Beal Caught  7 1
Ben Thomas Lbw  14 3
Sam Trumper Caught  25 4
Mark Baker Run out  8 1
Peter Randall Caught  4
Nigel Trumper Not Out  7
Freddie Lennox Caught  1

Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 1XI- Saturday Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Callum Johnson7.022900.004.14
Scott Gibson10.0614114.001.40
Chris Bird16.043348.252.06
John Williams14.143649.002.54

  • Umpire :
    Panel
  • Scorer :
    Ian Martin