Scorecard

Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 1XI- Saturday v Henley 2 on Sat 28 May 2016 at 1.00
Thatcham Town Cricket Club Lost by 65 runs

Match report Thatcham suffered their first competitive loss of the season as they went down by 65 runs to Henley's second string at Brownsfield on Saturday.

Thatcham skipper Duncan Johnson won the toss and inserted the visitors on a good looking track, the plan to restrict Henley to a reasonable target and successfully chase it down. Callum Johnson struggled at first, but once he had opener Harris caught behind low down by keeper Jack Young for 11, the confidence seemed to return and he bowled much more like his old self. He clean bowled both Oldershaw (24) and Goodson (8) in quick succession and finished his 7 over spell with 3-24. Unfortunately runs were coming at a quick rate as the other seamers battled to stem the flow. Euan Brock and Will Legg both looked in good touch and 100-3 was reached in the 22nd over as the visitors looked to build a good platform from which to attack in the latter stages. Johnson then turned to the reliable twin spin duo of Chris Bird and John Williams and as usual, the pair did not disappoint. How ex-Berkshire all rounder Brock is playing 2nd XI cricket in Thames Valley Division 2 is somewhat of a mystery as he reached a fine 50 with youngster Legg also impressing before he took on a flighted John Williams delivery and was caught by Josh O'Flynn for 40. Brock was next to go as Chris Bird trapped him lbw for 60 and with two new batters at the crease, the home side could apply the brakes. Just 37 runs were added between the 30th and 40th over as Bird and Williams bowled beautifully, negating Henley's early platform and putting some much needed pressure back on the batting side. Bird bowled Gurang for 10 before Williams got rid of M Williams, caught by Bird, also for 10. Charlie Homewood and Zac Jones came in at 8 and 9 and played really well to get their side up to 200 and maximum batting points. Homewood made 27 before holing out to Duncan Johnson off Williams and Jones made 18 before being stumped by Jack Young off Bird. It was left to Williams to have the last word as he bowled Dunstan with the last ball of the innings for 7 as posted 216 all out from their 52 overs.

John Williams 4-64 and Chris Bird 3-56 were once again outstanding for Thatcham and with Callum Johnson's earlier spell of 3-24, 216 should have been an achievable target on a pitch offering very little in the way of movement for either seam or spin.

The home side got off to the worst possible start as in-form Josh O'Flynn was bowled with the very first ball of the reply by Henley skipper Simon Wheeler. The situation got worse as three balls later Ben Copeman was caught and bowled for 0 and Thatcham finished the first over at 4 for 2! This very quickly became 28-5 in just 10 overs as the spin of Brock nailed Jack Young lbw for 6 and then Wheeler struck again to remove Kieran Wood for 12. Brock then had Duncan Johnson caught at slip for 8 and the home side's top order had been blown away. Scott Gibson and Steve Bartholomew tried to rebuild but the introduction of Zac Jones saw the end of Bartholomew as he was bowled for 12. Gibson's vigil ended when he was lbw to Wheeler for 7 and Thatcham were staring down the barrel at 57-7 through 20 overs. After playing a starring role with the ball it was now John Williams turn to take centre stage with the bat as he counter attacked brilliantly with Tristan Allen providing excellent support. Together, the pair added a valuable 52 runs between overs 20 and 30 to get their side up to 109-7 before Brock was recalled into the attack and Allen popped up a chance which Brock held on to and the Thatcham number 9 had to go for 12. Williams was still there though, flaying boundaries and punishing the Henley bowlers. Callum Johnson took on the support role and once again a useful partnership was the result as Thatcham briefly threatened something positive. 40 overs had been bowled and Williams had passed a brilliant half-century but as is his way, he died by the sword and was well caught by Jones off Wheeler for 61. It was left to Johnson and last man Chris Bird to hang on for the draw with 7 overs to survive. Both looked confident, Bird striking two fine boundaries off Dunstan and the score had reached 151-9 in the 45th over when skipper Wheeler won the game for his side. He deceived Johnson with a slower delivery and bowled him for 14 to give his side a well deserved 25 point victory and consign Thatcham to their first defeat of the season.

Henley skipper Wheeler led from the front, returning 6-42 from 18.5 overs in an excellent spell of bowling. Brock took 3-35 from his 12 overs and Zac Jones took 1-53 from his 11 overs.

Thatcham will need a much improved performance as they travel to High Wycombe to play their second string next Saturday.

Henley 2 Batting
Player name RunsMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
1w  
for 10 wickets
1
216 (52.0 overs)		     
A Harris ct  Callum Johnson 11
T Oldershaw b  Callum Johnson 24
N Goodson b  Callum Johnson 8
E Brock lbw  Chris Bird 60
W Legg ct  John Williams 40
P Gurang b  Chris Bird 10
M Williams ct  John Williams 10
C Homewood ct  John Williams 27
Z Jones st  Chris Bird 18
N Dunstan b  John Williams 7
S Wheeler Not Out  0

Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 1XI- Saturday Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Callum Johnson7.012438.003.43
Steve Bartholomew7.003200.004.57
Scott Gibson3.001900.006.33
Tristan Allen4.002100.005.25
Chris Bird16.0256318.673.50
John Williams15.0264416.004.27

Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 1XI- Saturday Batting
Player Name RMB4s6sSRCatchesStumpingsRun outs
extras
TOTAL :
2nb 1w 6lb 
for 10 wickets
9
151		        
Josh O'Flynn b  S Wheeler 0 1
Kieran Wood ct  S Wheeler 12
Benny Copeman ct  S Wheeler 0
Jack Young lbw  E Brock 6 1 1 1
Duncan Johnson ct  E Brock 8 1 1
Scott Gibson lbw  S Wheeler 7 1
Steve Bartholomew b  Z Jones 12 2
John Williams ct  S Wheeler 61 8 1
Tristan Allen ct  E Brock 12 2
Callum Johnson b  S Wheeler 14 2
Chris Bird Not Out  10 2 1

Henley 2 Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
S Wheeler18.544267.002.23
E Brock12.0135311.672.92
Z Jones11.0253153.004.82
N Dunstan3.001500.005.00

  • Umpire :
    Claude Kensett & Stephen Madgwick
  • Scorer :
    Ian Martin