Hector and Watson deal out damage

WOODCOTE suffered their second consecutive defeat when they visited FARLEY HILL in the Berkshire League Premier Division on Saturday.

Farley Hill scored 238-5 with Ankit Singh 47 and Matt Jones (47 not out) their joint top-scorers.

The Woodcote bowlers toiled away all afternoon without much success, the best figures coming from skipper, James Worsfold (2-45). The only other highlights were an outstanding catch
from Jonny Clark and two for Ryan Van Heerden.

In the second innings, an excellent half-century from Paul Knox (65) gave Woodcote some hope, but a middle order collapse swung the game in favour of the home team.

A good late partnership between Joe Webber (31) and Mark Pearson (27) was not enough to restore the balance back to Woodcote and they were all out for 195 in 38 overs to lose by 43 runs.
For Farley Hill, Andy Marr finished with 5-33.

Oratory School Under-15s Adi Hector and Archie Watson did the damage for Peppard Stoke Row 2nds as they made it back-to-back Premier Division victories with a fine 121-run triumph at Shinfield 2nds.

Making their first trip to the impressive new Manor Park facility in Brookers Hill, the visitors were asked to bat before captain Andy Watts and Hector made Shinfield regret their decision.

The duo put on 150 for the opening wicket at more than six an over, Watts eventually somewhat unfortunate to be caught at the second attempt for 54.

Hector missed out on what would have been a deserved and outstanding century when he was the third batsman to go, a wild collapse seeing Peppard fall to
155-4.

However, the experienced Matt Vines (60no) and Rich Ashton steadied the ship before the former and Watson put on an unbroken 65-run seventh-wicket partnership which saw their side end their 40 overs on 251-6.

Bowling spin with the new ball, Hector (2-17) picked up two early wickets with Ashton snaffling a pair of catches at slip, Archie Malcolm also accounting for Sandeep Garg as Shinfield slipped to
32-3.

Saksham Tyagi and Arjit Ghosh shared 65 for the fourth wicket, but after Ruaridh Scott (3-26) knocked over both to leave the hosts 100-5, Peppard performed a fairly swift kill.

Watson (3-26) bowled tidily, aided and abetted by a superb Daniel Watts catch at backward point to remove Arun Kumar, and with the same fielder enacting a direct hit run out to find last man Pawan Tyagi short of his ground, Shinfield were bowled out for 130.

Elsewhere GORING were defeated at home by three wickets by SANDHURST.

The visitors won the toss and elected to field, bowling out the hosts for 114, Shane Botha taking 4-7. Top scorer for the home side was Tom Davies with 22.

In Division 1 a total of 235-6 in 40 overs from CHECKENDON, of which Jake Jackson made a powerful 68, proved insufficient in their home game against Silchester.

Visiting opener Adnan Raja replied with a steady half century and the hitting was supplied by spin-bowling all rounder Mohson, where 27 occupied only 11 balls. Silchester had two overs left when they passed the Checkendon score with three wickets in hand.

In Division 3 PEPPARD Stoke Row 3rds were beaten for the second time this season as they went down by 98 runs at Crowthorne & Crown Wood 3rds.

The Crows sped along early doors before Max Roberts (3-33) collected a trio of quick wickets, Peppard skipper Matt Kimber then regaining some control during a frugal eight-over spell.

At 84-5 the visitors were on top, but the class of former first-team skipper Ravi Godbole would prove to be crucial for the visitors.

The all-rounder timed his innings to perfection in making a wonderful unbeaten 100 from 85 deliveries, leading his side to 225-7 despite the best efforts of Rob Dyer (2-36).

Riaan Ackerman and Harry Roberts gave Peppard a solid start, but their departures and the subsequent one of Pradeep Kumar (40) heralded a disappointing collapse.

Sam Kimber was the only other PSR batsman to reach double figures, and with Dan Finucane (3-5) and Shiv Sivapalan (3-13) proving too good for the lower order, the away side were bowled out for 127, the latter ending proceedings with a hat-trick.

Elsewhere Checkendon 2nds moved up to second place in the table after a seven wicket away-win over Falkland Development.

The home side won the toss and chose to bat first, racking up 152-8 in their 40 overs. In reply Checkendon piled on
153 -3 including 47 from Manikandan Rajamani and 40 from Rishabh Singh, both not out.

Woodcote 2nds had a good day in Division 4 with a win over Wargrave 4ths by seven wickets.

Wargrave scored 138-8 after looking in a commanding position at 110-2. Veteran Pete Roberts (3-14) and skipper, Jez Mayo (3-6 in three overs) took the bowling honours, but it was good to see that Woodcote used eight bowlers, all of whom returned tidy figures.

Keeper, Neil McDougall took two stumpings and teenager, William Gordon added to his bowling figures (1-5) with an outstanding catch.

In reply, an unbeaten half-century from Jez Mayo (54no) and 52 from Gary de Pinchart saw Woodcote to victory with a score of 140- 3 in just under 30 overs.