Thatcham are let down by batsmen

THATCHAM Town paid the price for a poor batting display as they lost to Wokingham 2nd by 131 runs in Division 1.

Having lost the toss, Thatcham fielded first with the new ball pair of Ryan Gilmour and Mike Green reunited for the first time this season.

It was Gilmour who made the breakthrough with the score on 25 before Thatcham’s spinners were introduced on a pitch which offered some turn.

The combination of the youthful Rhys Lewis and the experienced Chris Bird prevented Wokingham batters from getting on top.

And Lewis struck twice in one over, picking up the wickets of the dangerous Stuart Hayter for 27 and then captain Jack Fisher without scoring.

It wasn’t long before Lewis struck again as he had Craig Rintoul caught behind for 21.

Then came Wokingham’s best spell with the bat as Ben Myles (34) and David Bishop (39) got on top of the bowling.

It took a mix-up from the pair, along with a sharp throw from Jamie Young to run out Bishop before Myles fell in the same over.

Gilmour returned to the attack and got a deserved second wicket with a caught and bowled.

Wokingham looked like posting less than 175 before a quickfire 30 from Iain Muirden helped them to 199-8 after 50 overs.

Thatcham were confident of chasing the runs down, but by the fourth over both openers Lewis and Usman were back in the pavilion with the score on 14.

It was up to Young and Rhys Williams to build a partnership and a couple of lusty blows from the Thatcham skipper gave them some hope, but wickets tumbled at the other end to leave Thatcham struggling on 54-5.

Things were about to get even worse for the visitors as Young nicked off to Muirden for 27 and Gilmour soon followed as he was bowled for a duck.

And when John McDonald was introduced into the Wokingham attack, he mopped up the final few wickets to leave them all out for 68.

Thatcham will by looking to bounce back next weekend as they host Finchampstead 2nd at Brownsfield.