Scorecard

Newbury v Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 1XI- Saturday on Sat 26 May 2012 at 1:00pm
Thatcham Town Cricket Club Won By 44 Runs

Match report Thatcham continued their unbeaten start to the 2012 campaign with a flattering 44 run victory in the much anticipated local derby with Newbury.

On a beautiful summer’s day and, following a warm up that contained a parade of George Michael look-a-likes, the only sensible decision appeared to be batting first. Dan Stone continued his run of successful calling and duly delighted his side by electing to set on a very dry surface. It was always going to be hard work but despite the early loss of Ross Schreiber, Stone and Josh O’Flynn steadied the innings as the visitors came to terms with a distinct lack of pace in the pitch. With Charlie Anstey and Kevin Mills joining together in the attack the tempo had been set early on for the Thatcham innings, and with O’Flynn failing for a watchful 26, Anstey had his first victim of the day. With Stone and Duncan Johnson now at the crease the innings seemed sure to kick in to life, but with a lack of pace and a very slow surface, the game ticked along at around four an over.

With both looking batsmen looking completely in control, Anstey managed to guide one through Stone’s defences dislodging him for a well crafted 41 sparking a celebration that Monty Panesar would’ve been proud of. Johnson moved on past an excellent 50 only to fall shortly afterwards to an equally brilliant catch from Anstey off his own bowling. At 151-5 the hard work of Stone and Johnson could potentially be undone by some wasteful lower order batting and with Kevin Mills sticking admirably to his task wickets continued to fall throughout the closing stages. Only John Williams (17) and Paul Jenkins (21) provided any impetus in reaching double figures as the innings stuttered to its end with Thatcham eventually being bowled out for 202; disappointingly with four overs still left at their disposal. Mills and Anstey shared the workload taking 5 for 61 and 3 for 62 respectfully.

Again it was a poor finish to an innings as the hard work of the top order couldn’t be matched by the industry of the lower order. A fact that disgusted Birdy so much that he decided to boycott the entire tea break in favour of some extra practice. A decision that, in hindsight, didn’t work out too badly for him…

The message was clear for the visitors, get back in to the game quickly by removing both Newbury openers and plough through the rest of the order. Bird benefited from his warm up as the key wicket of Anstey came very early thanks in the main to the safe hands of Scott Gibson. Uden and Sastry moved the game along in their own ways but it was Bird again who provided the much needed breakthrough removing the later for a brisk 31. With more than half the overs left, the new ball completely knackered and wickets in hand Newbury were set fair at 109-3. Cue the introduction of Duncan Johnson, who continued to control the match ripping out the Newbury middle order in a ten over stint that saw him take four vital wickets. (It must be said that the fielding calamities of the previous week were long forgotten as everything that went to hand, stuck – including an unbelievable take from Flynny, yes Flynny).

With Uden being run out by means of some interesting stroke play, a broken ankle and a very dodgy call the game appeared to be turning back in Thatcham’s favour. Gibson (1 for 33) and Jenkins (1 for 21) happily took the final two wickets to wrap up the game and hand Thatcham a much needed, but not entirely convincing, 25 point maximum win. The damage, however, had already been done earlier in the innings with Bird (3 for 52) and Johnson (4 for 24) swinging the game back in favour of the visitors at time when Newbury looked favourites.

Despite the maximum points it wasn’t a game for the purists with Thatcham’s batting looking patchy at the best, as the top four didn’t get the support their efforts merited. But, with a much improved fielding effort and a decent bowling display there were a lot of positives to be taken from the game. All in all a good days work and to leave with 25 points (and an incredible amount of combined sunburn) Stoney will be happy, in the main, with his teams’ efforts.

Next Saturday sees the visit of Chesham and hopefully another strong team performance from the Town.

Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 1XI- Saturday Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
3nb 7w 9b 7lb 
for 10 wickets
26
202		        
Ross Schreiber Bowled  6 1
Josh O'Flynn Caught  26 2
Dan Stone Lbw  41
Duncan Johnson Caught  52
Matthew Denness Bowled  5
Paul Jenkins Run out  21 1
Chris Rochfort Bowled  6
Jamie Young Lbw  1
John Williams Bowled  17
Chris Bird Not Out  1
Scott Gibson Bowled  0 3

Newbury Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Newbury Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
2nb 2w 6b 4lb 
for 10 wickets
14
158 (47.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 1XI- Saturday Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Scott Gibson12.0433133.002.75
Chris Bird16.0152317.333.25
John Williams2.001800.009.00
Paul Jenkins7.0121121.003.00
Duncan Johnson10.052446.002.40

  • Umpire :
    Panel
  • Scorer :
    Ian Martin