Wargrave Return To The Top After Leaders Oxford Defeated By Ickenham.
Feature Image: Dinny Malan of Thame Town (seven for 39)
Krissie Mistry (5-39) was in outstanding form as Ickenham produced an upset when they beat the morning leaders Oxford by 25 runs at Jordan Hill.
Mistry produced a match-winning spell with the ball as Oxford lost seven wickets for just 16 runs after having maneuvered themselves into a good position. The right-arm seamer returned for a second spell where he claimed five wickets for 9 runs from just 5.5 overs. Oxford being removed for 169 in 35.5 overs. Julian Laird’s fine knock of 71, including 8 fours and 5 sixes, from only 47 balls the highlight of the Roman’s innings.
Ickenham opted to bat first after winning the toss with their skipper Elliott Evans making a patient 34 before Luke O’Driscoll added 57 from the number three berth. Ironically it was Mistry who made 34 from 25 balls having been involved in two partnerships worth 43 runs at the end of his side’s innings to get them up to 191 all out.
Euan Woods performed with willow and leather as Wargrave returned to the top of the division after they defeated Stoke Green by 41 runs.
The left-handed batter was the mainstay of the home side’s innings as he made 54 before Zulfiqar Butt’s thirteen over spell of five for 27 bowled Wargrave out for 165 in 45.1 overs.
Prabhnavjot Singh (31) and Mithira Thenura (30) batted well before the Berkshire duo of Nilesh Bhandari and Euan Woods spun their visitors all out for 124 in 36.3 overs. Bhandari finished with four for 41, while Woods returned with figures of three for 20.
Teddy Fleming produced a captain’s display as Gerrards Cross moved up to second in the table with a six-wicket win at Datchet.
After winning the toss and inserting their hosts, Fleming’s slow left arm claimed five for 4o as only David Scott’s rearguard action held up the visitors. Scott’s defience from the number four berth ensured Datchet recovered from 46 for 6. The former Dorset batter closed unbeaten on 68 from just over a two hour stay at the crease. Datchet eventually being removed for 146. in 57.1 overs.
Opener Chris Marrow anchored the Cross chase as he guided his side to victory with 59 not out from 96 balls. Fleming (20) and Ben Spencer (34 not out) played supporting roles in the win as they reached their target four down.
Harvey Eltham’s all-round performance helped Challow & Childrey to record their second win of the campaign as they defeated Horspath by 25 runs.
Eltham led from the front as he stroked a century in an opening stand of 148 runs with James Phillips. Eltham eventually departed for 104 in an innings containing fifteen boundaries. Phillips continued to thwart his former club as he was out just after reaching a half century. His 52 came from 118 balls as he dismissed with the scoreboard on 210. Dylan Crees accelerated the innings as he added a quick-fire 68 from just 49 balls. Crees hit 7 fours and 3 sixes in his knock before Mahdi Saleem (32) secured late order runs as the home side closed their 58 overs on 299 for 7.
Sravan Konidena opened up with a brilliant 87 (6x4s & 4x6s) but it was not until his skipper Derval Green hit fifty from 46 balls did he find the needed support. The damage was done by Conor Jones, who picked up four for 39 in ten overs, and the match-winner Eltham, who claimed four for 80. The pair combined to take the last wicket as Horspath fell short hunting victory (274 all out in 51 overs).
Thame Town and Chesham were the only teams to draw in the division on the day as they both finished with sixteen points each.
After Town won the toss they elected to bat with Devane Warner’s 23-ball 31 runs giving them a positive start. Alex Browne’s whirlwind 81 from only 61 balls contained 7 fours and 6 sixes as Jonathon Jelfs added 51 before Moteeb Syed mopped up the tail with four for 45 from ten overs. Thame posting 250 all out in 48 overs.
The Chesham reply found the seam of Dinny Malan a difficult opponent as he removed the top five batters with 67 runs in the scorebook. Umayanga Suwaris (58) and Daksh Sabherwal (50) both made half centuries from the middle order before Malan returned to pick up another two victims. Chesham battled hard to get to the end of the game (62 overs) on 200 for 9. Malan closed the day with an outstanding seven for 39 from twenty overs.
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