Newbury go up as champions

Last day win secures promotion as Newbury lift local cricket gloom

NEWBURY survived losing a critical toss to be confirmed as Division Three A champions of the Thames Valley League.

They beat Hillingdon Manor by eight wickets, but having lost the toss, were made to bat second, limiting them to maximum of 20 points.

With only a four point gap over chasing Yateley, Newbury had to wait until after their win to discover that their rivals had chosen to bat second at Cove II, and their own 20 point return ensured that Newbury held onto top spot.

Hillingdon had been shot out for only 113 at Northcroft with Newbury's attackers all picking up wickets, notably skipper Charlie Anstey with 3-23 and Kevin Mills with 3-40. Ed Uden went LBW for 20 and Tony Chester for a duck.

But Anstey passed 50 for the sixth time this season, going on to score an unbeaten 64 alongside Annidrudh Mundra's 22 not out, as Newbury hit the target in the 31st over.

FALKLAND and Thatcham signed off their disappointing league campaigns with defeats. A 10-man Falkland side went down by 184 runs at Banbury in the Home Counties Premier League. The home side opted to bat first and piled on 280-7 in 66 overs with openers Lloyd Sabin (88) and Lance Shaw (40) putting on 96 and Craig Haupt joining Sabin in another big partnership. Nigel Trumper and Khalid Zafar each claimed three wickets. Falkland lost Sam Piper for 14 but recovered to 61-1 when James Morris departed for 17.

But it was Jim Ettridge's loss for 37 that signalled the final collapse as Falkland slumped from 84-2 to 96 all out with nobody else reaching double figures.

Thatcham ended their Thames Valley League relegation campaign with another narrow defeat, by only three runs away to Henley II. Henley totalled 244-7 in their 50 overs with Chris Ellison (68) and Peter Dean (56) leading the way. Thatcham set off well with Ross Schreiber (82) and Josh O'Flynn in form. Dan Stone added 29 before the Henley attack began to get on top. Chris Rochfort (23) and Chris Bird (24) kept Thatcham in the race, only for two late run outs to tip the balance in the chase as Thatcham were left short on 241 all out in the same number of overs.