We're now two weeks into the league season and our four league sides have enjoyed mixed fortunes thus far.
After relegation from the Home Counties Premier League last season, the 1st XI have lost both matches on their return to Thames Valley League Division 1. On the opening day they lost by five wickets to Cove after posting 195 for 9. Ben Millar made 60 while Chris Marrow and Yash Rastogi both passed 30 but this proved to be well short as Cove got home with three overs remaining.
The following Saturday saw us host Gerrards Cross who were relegated alongside last season. A decent bowling display saw the visitors bowled out for 214 but an incredible batting collapse saw us crumble from 98 for 2 to 113 all out. Next up is a trip to Henley 2nds who were promoted from Division 2 last season.
Under new skipper Richard Lucas, the 2nd XI have won one game and lost one game. On the opening day against Amersham 3s runs from Jake Richardson (112), Parminder Mangat (86) and Sohil Mangat (53) saw a mammoth total of 315-3 posted. In response Amersham put up a decent display to make 233 with Rob Mettler taking the final wicket with only two overs remaining. Sav Gandesha was ever in the wickets with 5-53.
On Saturday the 2nds slipped to a disappointing five wicket defeat at Farnham Royal on a tricky batting wicket. They were bowled out for 131 which was never likely to be enough despite the canny slow left arm spin of Simon D'Ardenne who managed to snare three wickets in a losing cause.
The 3rd XI have also won one and lost one so far. After promotion last season they are now competing in Division 6a and faced Burnham 4s on the first day in what turned out to be a thrilling match. Burnham were bowled out for 223 with Mark Covus the pick of the bowlers with 3-10. The 3rds managed a well paced chase with youngster Kieran Devereux (59) making his first senior 50. They lost wickets at regular intervals however and it was left to the last pair of James Taylor and Mark Covus to put on the last twenty runs required for victory. They managed this with just two overs to spare after surviving some decent Burnham bowling.
In the 3rds second fixture they suffered their usual heavy defeat at the hands of Eastcote 4s! The Middlesex club smashed 283 for 8 and the 3rds could only managed 153 all out in response.
The 4th XI had their match at Cove 5s cancelled at short notice due to the opposition not being able to raise a side. In their only match so far they managed a creditable draw after being hit for 210 for 6 by Wokingham 5s. In response the 4ths managed to sneak a draw at 86 for 9.
On Sundays the 1st XI have progressed through to the next round of the Village Cup after Wargrave forfeited the match in the last round. We will face Datchet at home on 28th May who posted over 400 in the last round against Pinkneys Green!