Buckingham Town Cricket Club - July 8th 2006

Town invited their visitors to bat on winning the toss with skipper Rob Large favouring to chase on a drying wicket.

Chris Harris, one for 39 from ten overs, had Miles Picknett (5) caught behind by Jonny Cater early on before James Gear trapped Francois Vainker (20) in front.

Leigh Tomlinson then produced two superb direct hits to run out Tom Crouch (8) and Alex Morgan (5) as Town excelled and, as a result, gained the upper hand.

Tomlinson then hit the stumps on two more occasions with direct hits as Town raised their game, although former Royal Ascot opener Todd Hutcheson was providing dogged resistance for the visitors. Hutcheson reached a fine half century and was contributing to half his side's total.

The introduction Ben Stafford to form a spin duo bowling in tandem with Gear worked well.

Stafford had Greg Stern (15) caught by Large at mid off, although his captain sustained a finger injury in accepting the chance, then Richard Pengelly caught Jeehan Mohammed (3) off Gear.

Greg Pearson replaced Gear at the Bourton road end and won the battle with Hutcheson as the opener looked to force the pace as he ran out of partners. The Town seamer castled the Oxford 2nd batsman, although the opener had made a solid 63 runs.

Harris took a diving catch at deep mid off from Pearson as Nathan Absolom (6) hit out before Stafford bowled Waquar Ali (1) as Oxford 2nd closed on 176 for 9 from 50 overs.

The wickets were shared as Pearson took two for 22 from 10 overs, while Stafford, two for 48 in 13 overs, and Gear two for 50 in fourteen overs completed a good day in the field.

Town recalled Matthew Thatcher after a fruitful spell opening for the second team and he repaid the faith with an excellent knock. He opened with Tomlinson (12) who, ironically, was run out by an incredible piece of fielding by Mohammed with the score on 26.

Cater (11) edged behind before Jimad Khan (4) was run out as Town again lost two quick wickets after a bright start.

Thatcher remained workmanlike and found Bryn Jones a good partner as the pair put on 56 for the fourth wicket.

Thatcher finally departed for an excellent 47 in an innings containing four sixes. His anchor role gave Town wickets in hand for the final push, something they had failed to do in recent weeks.

Gear (18) hit the only six of the day as Jones kept the scoreboard ticking at the other end, although overs were running out.

Jones was trapped in front, also for 47, in another excellent knock and it was left to Pearson and Large, batting down the order due to injury, to see Town home with two balls to spare in an exciting last over.

League leaders Rowant visit second placed Town this Saturday five points clear in what should be an interesting encounter.

Batting first, Brackley's younger players found the going tough on a wicket softened by overnight rain and although they were comfortable occupying the crease, the run rate remained slow at two runs per over at the half way stage. Paul Sly(4-51) and Dom Pritchard(3-43) did most of the damage regularly taking wickets ably supported by Robin Pritchard behind the stumps.

Only Keith Cartwright with a breezy knock of 42 showed any real resistance as Brackley closed on 133-9 at tea.

Following first team calls, Town had to reaarange their batting line up with James Tomlinson partnering Mike Taylor for the first wicket. They added 64 before Taylor(35) was caught behind from a lifting delivery off the bowling of Mounsdon(3-20).

Although Izzard and Arnold soon departed in the same way, Tomlinson applied himself doggedly to bat through the innings and secure the win finishing undefeated on 49 from 92 balls.

Helps side batted first and the captain made 18 as his side were struggling at 41 for 6.

U14 Luke Stafford (10) and Mark Carter (19) were the only other players to reach double figures as Town posted 85 all out.

Late call-up Carter hit some lusty blows from the number eleven berth.

Town picked up an early run out but Bull's 53 not out saw Henley 3rd home.