Green still to taste success after 91-run loss

The second weekend of the Chilterns Cricket League season was something of a damp squib, with the majority of matches abandoned due to persistent rain.

However, some teams did get enough of a weather window to play their matches through to conclusion.

In the Championship, Holmer Green 1sts moved top of the table after beating Ballinger Waggoners by 34 runs, using Duckworth Lewis.

Green were bowled out for 198 runs in 30 overs and Waggoners fell 34 runs short of their revised target of 189, finishing on 154-9.

In the same division, second bottom Littlewick Green remain without a win this season after Saturday’s disappointing 91-run loss to Ley Hill.

Having won the toss Green elected to field, but, in challenging conditions, Hill acquitted themselves well reaching 194 before they were bowled out in the 42nd over. Captain Craig Peterson made 44 and Lewis Thompson 62 as the visitors laid down an impressive marker for their hosts. Green could only manage 103 from 36.3 overs in reply, with Jason Mason-Apps (24) their top scorer.

Shinfield also picked up their first win of the season with a 16run victory at West Reading 1sts. Having elected to bat the visitors made 129 before being skittled, however, with Naveed Naseer (3320) and Prashant Gandhi (3-8) each taking a three-wicket haul, Reading could only manage 107 in reply.

In the Championship all games were abandoned apart from Knotty Green’s home game with Penn & Tylers Green. Despite the difficult playing conditions Knotty Green won by a massive 153 runs, reaching 298-9 from their 45 overs before bowling the visitors out for 145 runs in 29 overs. Jonathan Patel smashed a splendid century for the home side, reaching 101, and he was well assisted by Rodney Charles (52). Victory lifts Green 25 points clear of their nearest rivals Monks Risborough after only two matches.

In Chilterns League Division 1 Holyport claimed a thrilling three run victory over Harpsden 2nds. Having posted 148-5 from their 35 overs, with Bhavik Patel finishing on 50 not out, Harpsden were restricted to 145-8. The win lifts Holyport to sixth in the table, just a point behind Harpsden. Braywood 2nds, whose match at Emmbrook & Bearwood was rained off, top the table on alphabetical order with three other teams on 45 points.