Scorecard

Marlow Park v Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 2XI- Saturday on Sat 09 May 2009 at 1.30pm
Thatcham Town Cricket Club Lost by 3 wickets

Match report A youthful Thatcham side travelled to Marlow Park on the opening day of the season, won the toss and elected to bat.

Iain Cottingham and Gavin McDonald got the innings off to a steady start, allowing members of the squad, armed with a 10X optical zoom, the chance to indulge in a spot of bird watching. With McDonald stroking the ball around and finding the boundary with some regularity, Thatcham were looking well set, untill disaster struck; not only had one of the wildlife enthusiasts been embarassingly caught out during a game of 'guess the age', but McDonald was also run out, coasting an easy third. The age old saying of 'one brings two' proved to be nonsense and suddenly thatcham found themselves 71-3.
The fall of wicket brought Tom Mahoney to the crease and after a couple of nervy scares, the youngster began pushing the ball around with growing belief, timing the ball well. Once Cottingham was removed, the ears of those left on the sideline were treated to a well earned rest as Stephen Bird strode out to the middle. The two batted comfortably together, adding 90 for the fourth wicket before Mahoney fell for a fine 50, including eight 4's.
The innings fell away somewhat after this and despite Bird trying his hardest for a well crafted 60 not out, he found himself being starved of the strike and Town managed just 26 from the last 10 overs. A promising start eventually stuttered to the 52 over mark with 197 on the board.

Would it be enough? how would the pitch play after tea? Old ball or new? What exactly was the 'kick' that the smiley tea lady informed us was in the sandwiches?

With Thatcham's influential quickie, Robb Fraser, sidelined through injury, it was down to Michael Hobbs and Gavin Ansell to give the Marlow Park openers a working over. Both bowled with aggression and were unlucky early on, but with Hobbs tiring and Ansell struggling to find his rhythm, runs became easier for the two openers. With skipper McDonald turning to spinner John Williams and reigning Iron Man champion Tim Mahoney, wicketkeeper Stephen Bird was single-handedly convinced that he had Miller caught behind off of Williams. Being a man of few words, Bird let it go almost immediately and the incident was to go without mention.
Miller and Khan continued to bat well and moved the score on to 164 before Thatcham finally made the breakthrough; Miller dismissed for 95. With just 34 needed for victory the result seemed a formality. With two quick wickets following, Marlow Park still seemed to be well in control at 191-3, but Thatcham's youthful exuberance saw them steal another wicket. And then another. oh, and another; John Williams ripping the middle order out.

Suddenly Marlow Park were wobbling at 197-6. Scores tied, three wickets fallen for 0 runs and the home dressing room scrambling for kit. Those sandwiches must've had something good in them. Cheered on by the roar of the East Stand, Tim Mahoney charged up the hill and when he had Buxton trapped LBW for 0 this game had all the makings of an upset. 197-7. Was it possible? Could Marlow Park conceivably lose 7 wickets for 0 runs? This truly would be a miracle.

Unfortunately, miracles don't happen. Williams, who picked up 5-47, let one slide down the leg side and wicket keeper Bird (still not mentioning the earlier caught behind appeal) was helpless to prevent a bye, and in a heartbeat all hope was gone.

Fantastic spells from John Williams and Tim Mahoney (2-40) gave Thatcham a fighting chance but defending 197 on a tight ground was always going to be tough. A good character building experience for the young Thatcham side nonetheless.

Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 2XI- Saturday Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 8 wickets
0
197		        
Iain Cottingham Bowled  19
Gavin McDonald Run out  31 1
Martin Keep Caught  6
Tom Mahoney Bowled  50
Stephen Bird Not Out  60
Michael Hobbs Bowled  2 1
Conor Southgate Bowled  0
John Williams Bowled  0
Nathan Redmond Caught  5
Tim Mahoney Not Out  5 1
Gavin Ansell  

Marlow Park Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Marlow Park Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 7 wickets
0
198 (0.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Thatcham Town Cricket Club Thatcham 2XI- Saturday Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Michael Hobbs4.001600.004.00
Gavin Ansell6.003700.006.17
Nathan Redmond5.002400.004.80
Tim Mahoney10.0240220.004.00
John Williams13.104759.403.57
Tom Mahoney4.011700.004.25

  • Umpire :
    Basil Wheeler
  • Scorer :
    TBC