Falkland win the first bash

Bowness Twenty20 finals day at Enborne Lodge

HOSTS Falkland won the inaugural Bowness 20/20 Trophy after Sunday’s first finals day at Enborne Lodge.

The two semi-finals were staged in the morning when Thatcham succumbed to Challow and Childrey on the main pitch.

Thatcham reached 152-5 wickets in their 20 overs with Simon Rider making 56 runs and Duncan Johnson 34 runs while Challow’s Ben Cox took 3-24 runs.

John Pechey’s unbeaten 80 led Challow’s reply and they reached the target with a few balls to spare and losing only two 2 wickets in the process.

The other pitch saw Falkland overcome Bucklebury, who made 152-5 with Alex Bingley top scoring and Mark Abrams adding a late 39 runs not out, while Oliver Nethercot picked up 3-30.

But Falkland secured their final place by reaching 165-3 in 18.1 overs with Ben Piper’s 63 leading the chase.

The final proved to be one-sided after Challow’s batting collapsed. They were responding to Falkland’s 199-5, the day’s top score although tight bowling from Pechey and Cox held Falkland to 47-4 off the opening eight overs before the later bowlers felt the onslaught as Jason Williams blasted 78 not out and Jack Chapman 45.

Challow lost early wickets and never really recovered as they were all out for 79 with Williams claiming 3-24 and Graham Beal and Nethercot two wickets apiece.

The trophy was presented to Falkland skipper Sam Trumper by John Bowness.