Frustration for Thatcham after final-ball tie
Thatcham Cricket Club were involved in an incredible match on Saturday, as they hosted Hurst Rangers in Division 3A of the Thames Valley Cricket League.
Thatcham lost the toss and were made to bat first, with opener and captain Michael Klichowicz wasting no time.
He hit nine fours on his way to 48 runs from 44 balls, while Ben Denton-Powell, in at three, hit 35 in a patient innings.
Wicketkeeper Jack Young had a fruitful innings, as he hit 44 from just 32 deliveries.
Further down the order, Revanth Jonnagadla hit 31 from 39 balls to help Thatcham continue their momentum.
At the end of their 45 overs, Thatcham were 233-8.
They started well with the ball too, as Hurst’s top four batsmen were dismissed for just 24 runs altogether.
Their middle order stood firm however, as captain Ollie Lovegrove anchored the innings with a run-a-ball 107 before being dismissed by Chris Bird.
The game came down to the slimmest of margins, with Thatcham only one wicket away entering the final over, and Hurst just seven runs short of the total.
Thatcham took their wicket, running out Sumaan Ansari on the final ball of the game, but not before the Hurst man could secure that final run to reach 233 and end the game in a tie.
The dramatic draw leaves a frustrated Thatcham side second from bottom.
Elsewhere in Division 3A, Purley on Thames beat Theale & Tilehurst by 20 runs away from home.
Opener Andrew Clarke led Purley’s innings well, hitting 32 before Patrick Allen made 27 to help the visitors to 140 all out.
Theale will be disappointed with their response however, as they were bowled out within 27 overs.
Sohail Arshad’s 23 was the high score, while Jacob Hearn went 4-25 with the ball for Purley.
Meanwhile, in Division 2A, Sulhamstead & Ufton suffered a comprehensive loss at home to Wokingham 2nd.
Wicketkeeper Ashan Lokuketiya led the way for the hosts, hitting 53 from 75 balls in a skilful display.
But Sulhamstead were bowled out for 131 inside 32 overs, and Wokingham wasted no time with their response.
They lost only two wickets, reaching the required total within 21 overs thanks to Hanson Martin’s 57 not out.
In Division 4A, Newbury Cricket Club lost by 93 runs at home to Bracknell United.
They made Bracknell bat first, and may have regretted this when Fahad Anwar smashed his way to 77 off 121 balls.
Newbury’s response fell flat, with Thomas Kingston’s 21 in the middle-order their highest score.
They ran up 93 runs short, which leaves them fifth of the league’s ten sides.
