Thatcham leave their worries behind

Victory over Wycombe continues move into top half spot

THATCHAM all but shook of any lingering fears of relegation with a convincing 123-run home win over Wycombe II.

Opener Peter Spriggs’ 62 was key to holding together the upper order as Thatcham slipped to 88-4 before middle order work from Tom Mahoney (21), John Williams (27) and especially skipper Duncan Johnson with a half-century, guided the home side to 227-9 in the 52 overs.

Wycombe’s order was shredded by Chris Bird and Williams, the spinners taking 6-42 and 3-50 respectively as Wycombe were dismissed for 104 with more than four overs to spare as Thatcham moved into the top half of the Thames Valley League Division Two B table.

FALKLAND also scored a comfortable 92-run home win over Marlow in Division One.

Jim Ettridge and Saranga Rajaguru made 43 apiece with James Bird adding 39 and Will Langmead 33 as Falkland posted 247-8 before Rajaguru prised out 5-63 and Daminda Kolugula 3033. Bird chipped in with 2-12 as Marlow were dismissed for 155 in 46 overs.

NEWBURY remain third in Division Three, albeit a long way behind the top two, after their nine wicket dismissal of Reading II.

Charlie Anstey took 5-47 and skipper Kevin Mills 3-16 to dismiss the visitors for 130 and Anstey’s unbeaten 64, coupled with 58 not out from Martin Walker, sorted it out at 134-1 inside 30 overs.

FALKLAND II also won when beating Yateley II by four wickets, overhauling the home side’s 238-8 declared in the final over.