Skipper leads the way in Falkland romp
FALKLAND maintained their fine end-of-season form with a third successive win following a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat of Burnham in Division 1.
Falkland lost the toss, but restricted visitors Burnham to 220 all out thanks to impressive bowling from Brandon Gilmour (4-29), James Morris (2-18) and Tom Ettridge (2-41).
Captain James Bird then scored 138no in 110 balls, including 19 fours and two sixes, as he combined with Ben Piper to help Falkland recover from 4-1 to 208-1.
Piper was eventually bowled for a well-made 79, but Gilmour and the impressive Bird eased Falkland over the line with 18 overs to spare.
Falkland 2nd were also comprehensive winners, thrashing Henley 3rd by 100 runs at Henley’s Nettlebed home.
The result moves Falkland to the top of the Division 4A table and sets up a title decider with Peppard Stoke Row, who are three points behind, on Saturday.
Falkland’s Seb Chapman scored a magnificent 102 as his side reached 222-8 before Henley were skittled for just 122 inside 36 overs.
Elsewhere, Falkland 3rd thrashed Hurst 2nd by 177 runs.
Hurst won the toss and opted to field, but Falkland posted 271-6 with impressive innings from Holly Rider (69), Ollie Hamlin (53no) and James Bloodworth (46).
Falkland then blitzed through Hurst’s batting lineup, dismissing the home side for just 94 in 34 overs.
Gamini Rajapakse starred with the ball, taking four wickets from his nine overs and conceding 21 runs, while there were two wickets each for Stephen Clarke (2-14) and Aaron Graham (2-32).
There was no action for Falkland’s development side after Earley 3rd forfeited their Berkshire, Chilterns and Mid Bucks Division 3 fixture.
Falkland remain top of the league, having lost just once all season.
Falkland’s women’s side continued their impressive first season in Division 1 with a 180-run rout of Henley.
Captain Holly Rider capped an excellent weekend with a magnificent 98, putting on 190 with Ava Lee (89) for the first wicket.
Lottie Aird then smashed an unbeaten 39 as Falkland reached 291-4 from their 35 overs.
In response, hosts Henley were all out for 111 as Falkland’s Bo Lee (3-18), Ellie Upton (2-20), Kira Engall (2-24), Sai Darekar (1-1), Immi Ann Storrar (1-11) and Aird (1-33) shared the wickets between them.