NEWBURY CC made it five wins from six games to seal third place in Division 3a of the Thames Valley League following an emphatic six-wicket triumph at home to already-promoted Sonning, writes Richard Ashton.

The visitors actually began reasonably well after choosing to bat, but a dramatic collapse meant no player outside of the top three made double figures, Peter Dean top-scoring with 36.

The destroyer-in-chief for Newbury was captain Kevin Mills, who recorded staggering figures of 7-9 from 7.4 overs during a wonderful spell.

Earlier Charlie Anstey (2-33) had removed dangerman Dean, along with the prolific Zahid Mohammed.

The Newbury run chase was not completely plain sailing, as they lost three early wickets, but Stuart Goddard (39) and Surya Sastry (22no) held their nerve to preserve their side’s excellent late-season form.

Newbury travel to Purley-on-Thames this Saturday (12.30pm).

Falkland CC

In Division One, Falkland’s flimsy batting was once again exposed as they were thrashed by nine wickets at Chesham.

The visitors slipped to 15-3 before Saranga Rajaguru (28) and Sam Trumper added 38 for the fourth wicket, but the lower middle order crumbled from 53-3 to 75 all out as Chesham dominated.

And the new leaders wasted no time in completing victory, reaching 77-1 off just 6.3 overs as Luke Webb blasted an unbeaten 27 from only nine balls.
Falkland host title-chasing Stoke Green this Saturday (12.30pm).

Thatcham Town CC

Thatcham Town are not completely safe in Division 2b despite having the better of a draw at relegation rivals Wargrave.

Will Wright (59no) and Steven Bartholomew (54) led the way for the visitors in a competitive total of 252-6, although there were useful contributions throughout the order.

The dangerous Imran Malik was stumped by Joe Lawrance off the bowling of John Williams early on, but Mandip Sohi (64) launched a blistering counter-attack to hit the bowler for three 6 sixes and five 4fours before the new ball was taken in the 12th over.

Sohi went for one shot to many as he fell to Callum Johnson, but Dan Pratt (68) and Neal Robertson shared a useful partnership to keep their side in the hunt.

Duncan Johnson bowled his opposite number Robertson and the returning Williams then picked up Luke Taylor and Pratt, the latter falling to a Tom Flack catch on the boundary from an audacious switch hit.

Duncan Johnson (3-53) claimed two quick wickets as his side searched for a victory which would have guaranteed survival, but Sam Bowers and Charlie Moss clung on to close on 212-7.

Thatcham – who are currently 18 points ahead of Wargrave – host Slough 2nds on Saturday (12.30pm).