To quote the Duke of Wellington as we celebrate the200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, it was another ‘Near Run Thing’ for Chesham as they took on TVL  Div 1 rivals Wokingham. Batting first, Wokingham scored steadily but also lost wickets at regular intervals, mainly to the pace of Australian Dan Babula and some tigerish fielding, and subsided to 133 for 8. However, yet another visiting Aussie , Matt Wicks (51*) then smashed several sixes before his team were dismissed for 201 in the 52^nd over. Babula ended with the impressive figures of 6 for 40 off 15 overs of sustained hostility. In reply, Chesham lost both openers for 40 before an aggressive partnership between Andy Goddard (44) and Jason Rance (49) took the score to 110, at which point both fell in successive overs. Mark Eteen (31) batted fluently and Jack McIver hung on for 22 but when both were dismissed the score stood at a precarious 184 for7 and down to the tailenders. Agonisingly slowly the score mounted to 200 as Babula and Umar Aslam stood firm but it was not until the penultimate ball of the last over that Dan the Man, possibly the only happy Aussie left in England, smashed a six to give Chesham victory by 3 wickets and lift them to the top of the league. 

Unfortunately, it was a gloomy day in Div2a for the 2^nd X1, suffering  defeat by 7 wickets at Kidmore End, after being dismissed for a mere 89 in which Julian Swain top scored with 29.

A good day for the 3^rd X1, however, as they earned a comfortable win over struggling Hillingdon Manor. After amassing 254 for 3 dec , in which Mo Asuaf hit a fine undefeated 107, they bowled out Hillingdon for a paltry 88 to win by 166 runs and stay in 2^nd position in Div5a.

In spite of totalling 221 for 9 the 4^th X1 had to settle for a boring draw as Beaconsfield 3rds opted to block out at 128 for 8 after 3 wickets in a fine spell by Humza, after a Max Hutt 50 had led the 4ths to 221.

In Div 1 of the Chess Valley Sunday League Chesham beat Hemel Hempstead by 9 wickets with Chris Hedges hitting an undefeated 68.

 The Sunday 2nds also had an excellent win led by 97 from Duncan Scott and 49 from Sam Rance.

Next weekend will see massive games for all 4 teams with the 1sts, 3rds and 4ths all still pushing for promotion and the 2nds needing to consolidate their position after a couple of disappointing results. All support at much appreciated so do come along if not playing.