Falkland Cricket Club up and running with first win of the season in Home Counties League

Falkland Cricket Club took their first win of the new season on Saturday as they beat Chesham.

This was their first home game of the season in the Home Counties Cricket League Division Two.

The newly promoted side had a tough start on the opening day, as they lost by 227 runs away to Wokingham.

But the side bounced back on Saturday, winning by 29 runs to rise to sixth in the league.

Falkland won the toss and elected to bat first, with captain James Bird stepping up to open the batting.

He led by example, batting well on his way to 34 runs in an innings which lasted over an hour.

Meanwhile, fellow opener Brandon Gilmour was caught for just fourteen, making way for wicket-keeper Ben Piper who came in at three.

Piper and Bird put on a great display together, building a partnership of 64 to boost Falkland’s total.

Piper alone hit 56 on Saturday, leading the way as Falkland punished Chesham’s bowlers.

In at four was Richard Morris, who batted skilfully on his way to 38 from 45 balls.

Young middle-order batsman Seb Chapman made a respectable total of his own, looking comfortable on home soil as he made a hard-hitting 40.

Falkland’s tail-enders had little to offer, but a final total of 231 all-out from 47 overs was likely to give them a strong chance.

Chesham’s response started sluggishly, as New Zealander Elliot Seddon caught opener Matthew Rance for just four runs.

His opening partner, Daniel Ward, was caught behind by Piper for just 20.

Piper would catch out the next two batsmen, leaving the visitors 4-94 after eighteen overs.

Mark Eteen’s 46 was Chesham’s high-score, but he was bowled by Bird to leave his side in a tricky spot.

It was Matt Bond who would close out the win for Falkland, taking the last two wickets to end on figures of 3-38.

Captain Bird took 2-27, while Seddon and Mark Otley each took two wickets.

The result brought Falkland 20 points, moving them up to sixth in the ten-team second division.

On Saturday they travel to Thame Town, who also have a win and a loss to their name so far.