Levin stars despite Thatcham loss at Harpsden in Thames Valley Cricket League

Seamus Levin was the star of the show as Thatcham Town Cricket Club lost away at Harpsden.

The Thames Valley Cricket League Division 3A side have lost two from two this season, but Levin’s performance was the highlight of the day.

Thatcham won the toss in the tiny Oxfordshire village just south of Henley-on-Thames.

They chose to bat first, with new captain Michael Klichowicz and Simon Lewis opening the batting.

The skipper kicked things off at a fast pace, knocking 222 from 28 balls before being caught out.

Lewis meanwhile was similarly punchy, hitting six fours on his way to 40 runs.

Ben Denton-Powell was more patient in his approach.

In at three, he lasted 53 balls, but would only manage to add 22 runs before being bowled by Zac Jones.

Jones also took the wicket of Thatcham keeper, Jack Young.

Young’s 38 from 41 balls was a handy contribution however.

In at five was Seamus Levin, who stole the show for the visitors.

He hit an excellent 84 from just 49 balls, including nine fours and five sixes.

He finished not out, leading the way for his side as the bottom-half of the batting order fell around him.

He managed a strike-rate of 171.43, as his side set a total of 270 from their 45 overs.

Harpsden is a village of less than 600 people and was the setting for two episodes of Agatha Christie's Marple.

But their batting prowess was certainly no mystery, as they made a flying start to their innings.

Openers Zac Jones and Kirk Graham hit 62 and 76 to punish Thatcham’s bowlers early on.

Ollie McConkey came in at four to hit the second-highest total of the day, managing 80 alongside Micky Molloy’s 25 to see his side over the line in a six wicket victory.

Thatcham’s efforts did earn them eight points, much owing to Levin’s scoring, although they still sit third from bottom.

On Saturday they host Hurst Rangers as they search for a first win.

Elsewhere in the division, Theale & Tilehurst beat Reading 2nd away from home.

Reading chose to bat first, but were bowled out for 176, as Jaden Viljoen and Yawar Tariq took three wickets each.

Rehan Akram hit 47 in response, before Sohail Arshad managed 50 and Baber Hussain hit 44 to lead Theale to a big eight wicket victory.

In Division 2A, Sulhamstead & Ufton also recorded a convincing victory over Aldershot.

They chose to bowl first and Finn Mercer rewarded this decision.

He went 5-25 in an outstanding performance, helping to bowl the visitors out for 185.

Steve Belcher’s 58 and Mubarak Tahir’s 59 helped the hosts to an impressive six wicket victory.

Meanwhile, in Division 4A Newbury made it two wins from two.

They beat Wargrave 3rd by six wickets, as Jagjit Singh went 3-34 with the ball and Bhupendra Shekhawat hit an impressive 80 not-out to give his side the win.