Amersham 2 XI won their second game in June at leaders Farnham Common on Saturday. They are now in third place, only two points behind new league leaders Cove. This sets the scene for a super Saturday next week where Cove play Farnham Common and Amersham face 4th place Newbury at Shardeloes.

Farnham Common started very well and, despite wickets for Duncan Ward, they looked set for a very large total. Five Farnham batsmen all passed 20, N.Geldens top scoring with 37. At the second drinks break it appeared a score of 250 looked probable. The introduction of Academy left arm spinner David Sidebottom (3 for 29) slowed the scoring rate and saw wickets begin to fall. At the other end teenager Matthew McKay also bowled well to take 3 for 34 as Farnham stuttered to 203 all out in the final over.

On a perfect pitch the Amersham openers saw off a hostile new ball attack and middle aged Rich Stephenson (71) was the first wicket to fall in the 23rd over with the score on 100. Then Nick Piper stopped complaining about a poorly wrist for a little while and picked up the scoring rate. Good contributions from ex-skipper Paul Weston (35) and Evan Hamilton-Pike (15) followed and the required run rate was always under control. The target was reached with more than four overs to spare and Pipes finished on a superb 67.

Next week Amersham will seek to win their third game in a row and take over at the top.