AMERSHAM HILL 1^ST X1 v LITTLE MARLOW 1^ST X1

Saturday 3^rd May 2008

Little Marlow enjoyed an excellent start to their Morrant Chilterns League campaign, with victories for the 1^st X1 at Amersham Hill and the 2nds at home against Braywood.

Inserted on a wet pitch, the 1sts were indebted to opener Anwar Mahmood, whose diligently composed half-century enabled his side to recover from a poor start. He was backed up by Farooq Hussain (24) and Usman Akram, who smashed 23 during a last wicket stand of 33.

Little Marlow closed on 165 all out, Bannerman and Robinson claiming 3 victims apiece.

A fine team performance in the field kept Amersham under pressure as wickets fell at regular intervals. Several batsmen made starts, but none were able to contribute more than 19 towards a 129 total.

LITTLE MARLOW 2^ND X1 v BRAYWOOD 2^ND X1

Saturday 3^rd May 2008

A nerve-racking 8^th wicket partnership between Steve Shore and Neil Coupland all but carried the 2nds to victory. Chasing a target of just 88 on another wet pitch, the hosts were up against the wall at 37 for 8. However, while Shore played with familiar defiance, Coupland batted positively.

The latter’s match-winning contribution ended at 30, when just 2 runs were required. There were to be no last minute disasters; Shore finishing undefeated on 18 as his team crossed the line.

Seamers Tim Potter, Coupland, Phil Bond and Ged Holmes shared the ten Braywood wickets, while G. Williams top-scored with 23. Steve Bennett’s 19 was the only other double figures score in this tense encounter.

LITTLE MARLOW v WENDOVER

Sunday 4^th May 2008

Charlie Rodger’s well paced half-century kept Little Marlow in the hunt as they chased Wendover’s 166 for 7 last Sunday. Unfortunately, after he departed at 84 for 6 the visitors were able to complete a comfortable 59 runs win, Boardman and

P. Ebsworth each taking 3 wickets.

Fine out-swing bowling from medium-pacer Tahir Rashid had earlier earned him 4 well-deserved scalps, while Pete Walton made a patient 47 not out and Glazebrook 49 before succumbing to a superb diving slip catch by Brian Robinson.

LITTLE MARLOW ACADEMY v TAPLOW U.15

Sunday 4^th May 2008

Despite fighting hard in their first Bucks Cricket Board league match, Little Marlow’s Academy team was unable to defend a lowly 36 all out against Taplow. Zain Gill and Sahil Dogra, who held two impressive catches, bowled tidily but the visitors completed a 7 wickets victory after 8.3 overs. Opener Timms made 17.

No Little Marlow batsman managed double figures, although Jack Goss played some well-timed strokes and Billy Hunter again offered stout resistance.