Falkland kept at bay by Wokingham

Thatcham slump into bottom three and Newbury denied in derby

FALKLAND’S winning surge was brought to an end when Wokingham claimed a home draw in Division One of the Morrant Thames Valley League.

Falkland lost an early wicket but Will Langmead hit out with two sixes and six fours before he fell having made 48 of the first 62 runs and Paul Jenkins went without further score.

Hamza Riazuddin and Saranga Rajaguru put on 38, but nobody stuck around for long with Riazuddin as he went on to top score with 74, Freddie Lennox’s 23 adding most before a late 13 from Ben Piper and skipper Craig Williams’ unbeaten 20 took the total to 236-9 after the full 52 overs.

Falkland reduced the home side to 22-2 before Michael Bates (44) and Stuart Hayter (27) put on 75 and Dan Reddyhough’s 43 off 47 balls edged Wokingham closer to the target.

But Rajaguru and Daminda Kolugula again took a grip, picking up 2-88 and 4-42 in their combined 31 overs and last pair Cameron Spence and Paul Dewick had to negotiate the final overs to steer their side to 227-9 and a nine point return compared to Falkland’s 15.

THATCHAM slumped to a 120-run defeat at second in the table Hurst to leave then one place off the relegation spots in Division Two B.

Hurst posted an all-out total of 189 just inside the 52 overs with Smith making 89 as Chris Bird took 5-40 and spin partner John Williams 3-48.

But opposite number Phil Higgs ripped out eight wickets for only 21 runs as Thatcham collapsed to 69 all out in the 32nd over.

The derby game between FALKLAND II and NEWBURY ended in a draw as visitors Newbury scored 213-7 in 52 overs and Falkland were left hanging on at 159-9 in reply, Newbury taking a 150-6 points share.

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