Still stuck to the bottom

CRICKET ROUND-UP: Falkland and Thatcham take high flyers close before losing

FALKLAND and Thatcham did their best to claw themselves off the foot of their respective league tables but were ultimately left stuck fast after suffering defeats on Saturday.

Falkland went down by four wickets at home to new Home Counties Premier League leaders High Wycombe, who took advantage of Oxford's draw with Radlett to go to the top of the table.

Falkland had looked to extra batting strength in a bid to boost their fortunes, but they were limited to an all-out total of 151 off 55 overs as Alan Duncan led the onslaught with his 5-62 return.

Falkland hit back to have Wycombe in trouble at 18-2, but marshalled by David Cranfield's Thompson's unbeaten 59, they got over the line to 152-6 in the 54th over to pick up maximum points.

Falkland's eight point return leaves them two adrift of Radlett at the bottom of the table and 17 behind Bishop's Stortford in the next spot.

Thatcham also gave visiting Finchampstead a scare before losing by three wickets at Brownsfield Road in Division One of the Thames Valley League.

Thatcham struggled with the bat, and the early loss of Ali Naqvi was a blow.

Skipper Danny Williams tried to anchor the side before falling just short of his half-century as Thatcham were all out for 145, Sam Taylor taking 5-39.

The Thatcham attack also did its best to claw back a difficult position, but the hosts were again undone by one batsman as Simon Bell's 83 swung the game the visitors' way as Finchamsptead got home to 146-7 with plenty of overs to spare.

That leaves Thatcham six points behind the field and 14 adrift of the safety spot.

NEWBURY were held to a draw by Chiswick and Latymer in Division Three A as they slipped a place to third in the Division Three A table.

Newbury posted 207-8 in their 52 overs with Ed Uden making 72.

But Chiswick held on to salvage a draw at 147-8, Newbury's 14 points leaving them 24 behind leaders Yateley.

Falkland II had to scramble to their own draw at Sonning in Division Two B.

They were left chasing the home side's 252-7 but were left holding on at 127-7 as Duncan Parr snapped up 5-24.