Falkland Cricket Club eye Bicester clash after heavy Thame loss in Home Counties Cricket League

It was a tough weekend for Falkland Cricket Club, as their 1st and 2nd sides both suffered defeat.

The first team travelled to Thame on Saturday, looking to make it back to back wins.

Having lost the toss, Falkland were put in to bat and after getting off to a steady start, things looked promising.

Captain James Bird and Brandon Gilmour faced 40 balls each, making 20 and 30 runs before they were dismissed.

From here the innings went downhill, with only Ted Brown and Elliot Seddon adding noticeable scores of 24 and 21.

Falkland ended up 140 all out, handing the initiative to Thame.

When defending 140, early wickets are important, but Falkland were only able to pick up one of these early on.

Lloyd Paternott smashed 81 from 71 balls before being caught and bowled by Seddon.

Seddon took three wickets, but was unable to keep Thame at bay singlehandedly, as Ubaid Kiani hit an unbeaten 39 to seal an easy six wicket win.

Falkland have won one and lost two in the Home Counties Cricket League Division Two.

They sit eighth of the ten teams, and will look to bounce back at home to winless Bicester and North Oxford on Saturday.

Falkland’s 2nd side also came up short in Division 3A of the Thames Valley Cricket League.

They faced Harpsden in a high-scoring encounter which saw the visitors emerge victorious by 20 runs.

Harpsden won the toss and elected to bat, posting an imposing total of 333-3 in their allotted 45 overs.

The innings was anchored by a commanding unbeaten 147 from Ollie McConkey, who struck 17 fours and six sixes.

He was well-supported by Angus Cripps, who contributed an unbeaten 56.

Falkland's bowlers rallied to try and contain the run flow, with Oscar Fry taking two wickets for 39 runs and Duncan Johnson claiming one for 51.

In response, Falkland mounted a spirited chase, scoring 313 all out in 45 overs.

Harry Grinham and Craig Williams got the team off to a steady start, the prequel to the highlight of the innings; a blistering 117 from Zach Pool, featuring ten fours and eight sixes.

Oscar Fry contributed a quick-fire 31, while Razon Dash finished on 20 not out.

Despite their superb efforts, Falkland fell short by 20 runs but secured nine points, reflective of a highly competitive performance.