Walsh shines with bat to help villagers secure back-to-back promotions

DIVISION 4A basement side WARGRAVE 3rds slipped to a seven-wicket home defeat against EVERSLEY 2nds in their final match of the season last Saturday.

Put into bat, Wargrave battled hard against disciplined bowling. Skipper Kyle Bradley (30) and Guy Fergusson (36) provided the main resistance, while Luke Taylor added a brisk 16 at the top. However, regular breakthroughs prevented any substantial partnerships. Reuben Kirby was the chief destroyer for the visitors, claiming 4-46 as Wargrave were dismissed for 142 in 40 overs.

Eversley’s reply was explosive. After early wickets left them wobbling at 12-2, opener Matt Martin launched a blistering counterattack as he struck 14 fours and three sixes in a breathtaking 87 from just 38 balls, dominating a third-wicket stand of 112 with Aditya Mali (32 not out).

Despite late wickets from Tom Walker, Rowan Searle and Freddie Tabrah, the outcome was never in doubt as Eversley surged to victory in just 13.4 overs.

KIDMORE END 2nds finished bottom of Division 4B after losing their relegation-deciding clash with visitors HILLINGDON MANOR 2nds by nine wickets at Gallowstree Common.

Having lost the toss and being put into bat first, Kidmore End were dismissed for just 112 with skipper George Batty top scoring with 26.

In reply, Hillingdon raced to 117-1 to secure the win and safety in the division.

GORING clinched promotion from Division 5A after defeating visitors COVE 2nds by 108 runs.

Put into bat, Goring’s eyes were on the 200 runs that would guarantee promotion. However, with recent rain the track required respect and the openers batted diligently in the early stages. The division’s top scorer Chris Walsh added 78 runs to finish his campaign on 609. His partner Joe Richards fell for 35 but still claimed third place in the divisional rankings with 543.

Ozzie Matthews added a breezy 42 as Goring finished on 214-7 off 45 overs, securing enough points to guarantee promotion.

In reply Goring delivered one of their best bowling and fielding performances of the season. Chief tormentor was skipper Navneet Singh Chawla who delivered sensational figures of 5-13 in running through the Cove top order.

He was ably supported by spinner Alex Crawford, whose 4-30 meant he finished the league season with 38 wickets — nine more than anyone else in the division.

Goring’s Peter Slade took the final wicket as Cove were bowled out for 106 to secure a second successive promotion for the villagers.

Relegated HENLEY 3rds went down to a 182-run defeat at WINDSOR 2nds.

Skipper Dyer won the toss and elected to field first on a damp wicket with a quick outfield.

Frankie Clark and Sean Taylor opened the bowling, and it was Clark who made the initial breakthrough, removing Shaw for 14 with the score on 22. Choose, who opened with Shaw, survived an early chance and went on to anchor the Windsor innings. Dixon joined him and added a steady 34, while Pall chipped in with 30.

Acceleration came from Earnshaw, who blasted 82 from just 66 balls, taking advantage of wickets in hand as Windsor pushed on late in the innings. Chopra top-scored with a composed 110 before falling to Taylor, caught by Nebbit, off the very last ball of the innings.

Windsor closed on a commanding total of 300-4, with the pick of Henley’s bowlers being Ali, who finished with 2-39. In response, Ali and Atwell started brightly, but once Mani fell with the score at 45, the innings quickly unravelled. From 45-1, Henley slipped to 46-3 and then 87-7, before being bowled out for just 118.

Ali (24) and Frankie Clark (22) were the only batsmen to show resistance, but Windsor’s bowling proved too disciplined, ensuring Henley never threatened their total.