Chesham CC 15TH August
After another nail biting finish Chesham 1st X1 have increased their lead in Div1 of the Thames Valley League to 9 points with three games remaining. The latest exercise in cliff hanging was victory over Cookham Dean by 3wickets with the winning runs coming off the first ball of the final designated over with Dan Babula again making the decisive hit. Earlier, Cookham Dean had totalled 198 for 9 in 52 overs in which the outstanding bowlers had been Ashley Turney with 4 for 37 and Umar Aslam with 3 for 54. Replying, Chesham’s openers failed, losing both for 11 runs, before Andy Goddard, in partnership first with Jason Rance (25) and then Mark Eteen (36) took the score to 148 before he was dismissed for a well crafted 62, having coped well with the guile and spin of the much travelled mercenary S. Ahmed. Brothers Max and Jack McIver helped the total to 187 for 7, leaving Chris Hedges and Dan the Man to see Chesham over the line.
Another somewhat abject display of batting saw the 2nd X1 slide down the table to fifth place in Div 2a. A much weakened Chesham side were dismissed for an inadequate total of 107 by the penetrative bowling of Windsor’s opening attack backed up by good catching. After the loss of an early wicket the Windsor batsmen cruised home at 108 for 2 with more than 20 overs to spare.
The 3rd X1 continued their good form in spite of being well below normal strength. They dismissed Maidenhead and Bray for 156 with the welcome return of the wily veteran Martin Wheeler playing a big part by taking 4 for 40. Chesham then coasted home for the loss of only 3 wickets, Ed Wainwright top scoring with an undefeated 43 and remain in second place in Div 5a.
Due to the withdrawal of Hillingdon Manor from the league, the 4th X1 were left without a game as were Chesham Women when Hitchin conceded. A disconcerting trend of cancellations.
In Div 1 of the Chess Valley Sunday League, Chesham 1st X1 were involved in yet another tight finish. Set a target of 194 they beat Finchley by one wicket in the final over with Jamie Anderson and Umar Aslam adding 24 for the last wicket to see them home after earlier good innings by Jack McIver (55) and David Hughes D’Aeth (35).
The Sunday 2nds won convincingly, scoring 288 for 9, thanks to 100 from Guy Fowler and 67 from Mark Newsome, and 3 wickets from Will Turner saw Uxbridge bowled out for 225.