Scorecard

Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 1XI- Saturday v Royal Ascot on Sat 07 May 2016 at 1.00
Thatcham Town Cricket Club Won by 4 wickets

Match report With an unbeaten pre-season behind them Thatcham went into the first Thames Valley League 2b clash with Ascot full of confidence and high hopes for a successful return to a higher standard of cricket. If they were to succeed however, it's teams such as Ascot, who came up with Thatcham last term, who need to be beaten as there will be tougher tests to come as the season moves forward.

Ascot skipper Nick Sweetman won the toss and decided to bat first and openers Wensley and Kendall were to profit from an unusually scrappy opening spell from Callum Johnson and Tristan Allen. Both bowlers struggled to find a consistent line and length with too many boundary balls being bowled. This enabled Ascot to race away at five an over and it took the introduction of Josh O'Flynn and Scott Gibson to wrestle back the initiative the home sides way. O'Flynn struck in his 1st over as Wensley edged one to keeper Jack Young for 26. The visitors continued to score at a healthy rate, skipper Sweetman adding 42 with Kendall before he was a little unlucky to be given out caught behind off O'Flynn for 31. The introduction of left arm spinner Chris Bird was to have a lasting effect on the Ascot innings as he immediately found his line and length and sent back Kendall in his 1st over, caught and bowled for 36. Ascot were 105-3 through 27 overs and looking good to post a competitive total. Ellison and English never looked like taking advantage as Thatcham turned the screw and from the next 10 overs just 27 runs were scored as Ascot trod water when they should have been going through the gears. Both fell to Bird, Ellison brilliantly caught by Scott Gibson at short cover for 17 and English plumb lbw for 18. Wiggett was well caught off an under edge by Jack Young as he attempted to cut Bird and it took the attacking intent of Andy Murray, in at 8, for Ascot to show any positive intent. Murray hit two towering 6's and three further boundaries in a quick knock of 25 before he became Bird's fifth victim of the afternoon. John Williams then picked up two wickets towards the end as first Payne fell for 21, caught by Young behind the stumps and then Clarke was well caught by Ben Copeman at mid off for 1. It was left to Kevin May and Mike Brown to get their side up over the 200 mark which they achieved off the final ball, May hitting a four as Ascot reached 203-9 from their 52 overs. At 114-3 from 30 overs it should have been a whole lot more, but the skills of Bird, O'Flynn and Williams in the last 22 overs were really very good.

Bird deservedly picked up 5-43 from his 13 overs, with O'Flynn 2-41 from 11 overs and Williams 2-42 from 10 overs also in the wickets. Mention also to Scott Gibson who returned 0-24 from 8 overs and he certainly played his part with the ball.

Thatcham have some real attacking flair at the top of the order this season as Josh O'Flynn, fresh from a superb century at Falkland the previous week looking in fine touch and his partner, 16 year Kieran Wood, son of former Hampshire batsman and current 'power hitting' coach Julian Wood, looking to play a fresh and adventurous brand of cricket which is moving the game forward. They raced out of the blocks, O'Flynn looking in imperious form, driving brilliantly through the off side and Wood looking to punish anything loose and 55 runs came off the first 9 overs before the introduction of the pacy Murray had Wood caught behind for 19. Another new addition, Ben Copeman joined O'Flynn and he continued in the same style. O'Flynn had reached 43, including ten 4's, when Murray found a way through his defence and he was clean bowled. Jack Young and Copeman took the score past 100 from 20 overs before Copeman was bowled by Murray for 27. Ascot then put down three chances in as many balls, Young twice dropped by Payne off Brown and then Duncan Johnson edged through to Wensley, who also put the chance down. Brown wasn't to be denied however as he once again got the ball to leave the left handed Johnson off the pitch and this time Ellison made no mistake in the slips and the Thatcham skipper departed without troubling the scorers. Scott Gibson joined Young and a fine stand of 57 was the result, Young battling through his earlier issues and starting to bat with his usual fluency. Gibson was his usual rock solid self in support. They took the score up to 165 before Young was caught behind by English off Wiggett and then shortly after Gibson was also caught behind off the returning Murray for 27. Enter John Williams at 7 and he did what he does best in a fine display of clean hitting. He smashed two 6's and three 4's in a quickfire 30* and with Tristan Allen 6* offering support the two saw their side to a comfortable victory in the 45th over, Thatcham finishing on 207-6 and a well deserved 25 points.

The League rules have now changed, awarding a 25 point win regardless of batting first or second now, so the frustration of losing 5 points in a win batting second has now thankfully been removed.

Andy Murray was by far the pick of the Ascot attack bowling with pace and movement to return 4-40 from 16 overs. Brown 1-27 and Wiggett 1-25 were the other successes.

It's a great start for Thatcham and they will look forward to a trip to Beaconsfield next week in the knowledge that confidence is high and they can compete with any side in this League.

Royal Ascot Batting
Player name RunsMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
6w 2b 2lb 
for 9 wickets
10
203 (52.0 overs)		     
J Wensley ct  Josh O'Flynn 26
J Kendall ct  Chris Bird 36
N Sweetman ct  Josh O'Flynn 31
W Ellison ct  Chris Bird 17
A English lbw  Chris Bird 18
G Payne ct  John Williams 21
N Wiggett ct  Chris Bird 4
A Murray b  Chris Bird 25
T Clarke ct  John Williams 1
K May Not Out  9
M Brown Not Out  4

Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 1XI- Saturday Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Callum Johnson5.002600.005.20
Tristan Allen5.012300.004.60
Scott Gibson8.002400.003.00
Josh O'Flynn11.0241220.503.73
John Williams10.0142221.004.20
Chris Bird13.034358.603.31

Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 1XI- Saturday Batting
Player Name RMB4s6sSRCatchesStumpingsRun outs
extras
TOTAL :
1w 2b 6lb 
for 6 wickets
9
207		        
Josh O'Flynn b  A Murray 43 10
Kieran Wood ct  A Murray 19 2 1
Benny Copeman b  A Murray 27 4 1
Jack Young ct  N Wiggett 46 9 4
Duncan Johnson ct  M Brown 0
Scott Gibson ct  A Murray 27 4 1 1
John Williams Not Out  30 3 2
Tristan Allen Not Out  6 1
Matthew Denness  
Callum Johnson  
Chris Bird  

Royal Ascot Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
K May10.015700.005.70
W Ellison9.505000.005.08
A Murray16.0440410.002.50
M Brown5.0027127.005.40
N Wiggett4.0025125.006.25

  • Umpire :
    Panel
  • Scorer :
    TBC