Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

NPL Teddington II 195-4 (44.4 ovs; B Wooster 54*, Klimke 42)

Amersham were asked to bat first, and the top order led by Paul Weston (33) batted responsibly to pass the 150 needed to ensure survival. From then on Ian Rogers (85), played one of the best knocks of the season as Amersham accelerated to finish on 194-7.

Paceman Charlie Holloway (2-45) produced a fine opening spell, as NPL struggled against the new ball. They were 52-3, and with Brad Holt (1-30) and Jamie Toates frequently beating the bat, Amersham were in the driving seat. But NPL skipper Wooster (54*) dug with impressive determination with support from Klimcke (42) to see his team home with 6 wickets and 3 overs to spare.

* Champagne moment - Charlie Holloway, bowling Weare with the first ball of the innings.

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Amersham II 177-9 (52 ovs; Ben Langley 71, Matt Ash 33, M Salmon 4−40, Mehra 3−45)

Slough III 147 (42 ovs; M Sheppard 53, Matt Ash 3−38, Jamie Toates 3−48)

Amersham were asked to bat first on yet another saturated pitch, but having learned their lessons from two weeks ago, applied themselves far better. Ben Langley (71) was again the star, playing with great determination and polish, and he was well supported by Matt Ash (33) and Niall Densley (28). The late order struggled against the spin of Salmon (4-30), but a late flurry from Jamie Toates (12*) and Brad Holt (9*) pushed the total up to 177-9 off the 52 overs.

Slough attacked from the start of their innings with Iqbal (26) and Sheppard (53) setting the pace, and at 86-1 looked well set for victory. But then Amersham's pacemen turned the game around with a stunning fightback. Alex Hands (2-30) and Toates (3-48) both bowled with pace and accuracy, and were well-supported by youngsters Andrew Viney (1-12) and Holt (1-13). The off-spin of Ash (3-38) finished the job as Slough were bowled out with 6 overs remaining.

* Champagne moment - Ben Langley, hitting a straight six with a Flintoff-esque follow-through.

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Marlow Park II 234-9 (52 ovs; A Coll 88, A Sajjad 64, Tom Dixon 4−67)

Amersham II 212-8 (48 ovs; Ben Langley 54, Tim Aylott 47*, Dan Adams 34, K Turner 3−25)

Marlow Park batted first on another damp pitch, but got off to a good start with Sajjad scoring a swift 64. But after he was removed by spinner David Sidebottom (2-51), Amersham stepped up a gear. All the seamers, especially Tom Dixon (4-67) and Charlie Holloway (2-65) bowled well in support, but a classy knock from Coll (88) put Marlow Park in the driving seat, as they finished on 234-9.

In reply, another good start from Ben Langley (54) and Andrew Viney (25) gave Amersham the platform for a run chase, but another middle-order collapse left them reeling at 79-4. Amersham didn't give up, but despite the best efforts from Langley, skipper Tim Aylott (47*) and big hitting from Dan Adams (34) in the gathering dark, they finished 23 runs short, with 2 wickets in hand.

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Amersham II 107 (37.4 ovs; Chris Edge 4−27)

Windsor II 110-5 (36.3 ovs; R Dawson 31)

Amersham batted first on a damp pitch, but struggled to score runs against some accurate bowling and excellent catching. The top seven were all caught off mis-timed shots, and only a late rally from Jamie Toates (19) saw the hosts reach three figures. The total of 107 was probably only 40 short of a decent total.

Amersham's opening bowlers, Charlie Holloway (1-31) and Toates (2-19) were both unlucky in their opening spells, but Windsor always looked likely to reach the modest target. To Amersham's credit they never gave up, typified by Dan Adams' two run-outs from throws in the deep, but Windsor eventually got home in their 37th over with 5 wickets down.

* Champagne moment - Jamie Toates, bowling two batsmen in one over.

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

OMT II 300-0 dec (40 ovs; A Wright 179*, D Marshall 75*)

Amersham II 219-9 (60 ovs; Paul Weston 87, Andrew Viney 47, Atkinson 4−53)

OMT won the toss on a blazing hot day, perfect pitch with fast outfield, facing an under-strength bowling attack, and not-surprisingly opted to bat first. Damage limitation soon appeared the only goal, but Wright (179*) despatched the bowlers to all parts of the ground in an awesome display of power. Amersham did drop him three times, but with support from Marshall (75*), OMT were able to declare after just 40 overs with a breathtaking 300-0.

Amersham started brightly with in-form youngster Andrew Viney (47) setting the pace. However, a middle-order collapse left Amersham at 140-7, and facing a crushing defeat with still 17 overs to survive. But Paul Weston (87) had other ideas, who shared a splendid back-to-the-wall 8th wicket partnership of 78 with Brad Holt (9*), which provided Amersham with maximum batting points. It was left to David Sidebottom who, with a badly bruised hand, bravely defended the last two balls to save the match at 219-9.

* Champagne moment: Paul Weston, a straight drive for four to reach his fifty.

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Amersham II 191-8 (48 ovs; Ian Rogers 49, Andrew Viney 37)

Chalfont opted to bat first on a hot day, but lost early wickets to Charlie Holloway (3-79). However, despite good work also from Jamie Toates and Paul Weston, the middle order recovered well through Gooch (78) and Machin (68*) to post an impressive 230-5 off their 52 overs.

Amersham never quite managed to maintain the required run rate, despite a well crafted innings from Andrew Viney (37) and a typically hard-hitting knock from Ian Rogers (49). Wickets fell at regular intervals, but thanks mainly to Shamil Mubarak (25*), the match was saved with 2 wickets in hand, 40 short of the target.

* Champagne moment: Jack Kilgannon, three straight driven fours in one over.

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

High Wycombe III 102 (39 ovs; David Sidebottom 7−17)

As the Amersham team came into the pavilion Renny Adams (captain) and your correspondent wondered who was going to have to change the nappies as Andy Viney, James Harmer, Olly Haddock and Jack Kilgannon arrived, closely followed by Ben Langley, David Sidebottom and Jamie Toates in search of the nearest hair gel dispenser - sorry chaps, no showers at Ibstone let alone hair dryers etc.

Anyway, with such a youthful team Renny won the toss and decided to bat first safe in the knowledge that when we came to field it would be a mere formality as to who would occupy the positions of first slip and gully! Ben Langley (113*) smashed the ball to all parts and was more than ably supported by Andy Viney (15), Olly Haddock (55) and Jack Kilgannon (36*) as Amersham cruised to 249-2 in 48 overs at an average age of fifteen! Champagne moment of the match was Ben straight driving the ball over the bowler, over the boundary and over the road for six to bring up his hundred. Champagne moment of the season was Ben kissing his helmet in celebration!

Tea, delicious and now it was High Wycombe's turn to bat. They couldn't cope with the wily young spin of David Sidebottom who in his best spell of the season took 7-17 in 20 overs ably supported James Harmer (2-21) and the relatively old Jamie Toates (1-30)! The tenth wicket went down to a fine catch by Andy Viney as Wycombe were bowled out for 101 in 39 overs at an average age of sixteen! Amersham won by 147 runs. Fantastic!

As for your correspondent ... did not bat, did not bowl and did not catch. Another well spent £8! Quite frankly, it would have been worth paying double to see these talented youngsters perform so well.

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Kidmore End II 220-9 dec (48 ovs; P Sullivan 68)

Amersham II 221-9 (51.3 ovs; Andrew Viney 68, C Johnson 5−90)

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Bracknell I 194-6 (50 ovs; W Kendrick 104*, Charlie Holloway 3−25)

The seamers, Jon Lishman, Tom Dixon, Mike Garvey and Charlie Holloway all produced impressive spells, but Kendrick (104*) managed to escape, holding the Bracknell innings together with a classy knock as Bracknell posted 194-6. For once Amersham's fielding let them down in the wet and windy conditions, spilling five chances.

Amersham were just about to start their innings when the rain came.

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Amersham II 160-6 (49.3 ovs; Matt Ash 34, Ian Rogers 30)

NPL opted to bat first, but found the uneven track difficult to score runs on. Thanks to the pace of Jon Lishman (1-16), Charlie Holloway (4-35) and Mike Garvey (2-26), they were reeling at 90-6, but not for the first time Amersham allowed the late order to get back in the game. However, Matt Ash's fine 11 over spell (3-18) put the brakes on, and NPL were bowled out for 156 in 47 overs. The fielding was first-class, all 8 chances were taken, four by wicket-keeper Ben Langley.

It was by no means an easy target, but all Amersham's batsmen dug in and played with admirable discipline. Langley (21), Ash (34) and Ian Rogers (30) ensured the target was reached with 4 wickets and 3.5 overs to spare.

* Champagne moment: Asa Bridle, a majestic drive through cover for four (doubling his runs for the season!)

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Slough III 176-7 dec (40.1 ovs; A Iqbal 43, I Ghazi 45, Mike Garvey 5−82)

Amersham II 148-5 (39 ovs; Ben Langley 55, Andrew Viney 44, U Ghazi 3−16)

Slough batted first which was always going to be difficult with the overcast conditions favouring the bowlers. Slough lost wickets at regular intervals with the help of a wonderful spell of bowling from Mike Garvey (5-82). We had three breaks for rain in Slough's innings and as a result the match was reduced to 80 overs. Slough finished batting at six o'clock setting us a total of 177 to win off 39 overs.

It was always going to be a hard task for the Amersham batsmen especially as it was so dark it was hard to see the ball. We started fantastically with Ben Langley (55) playing some exquisite cover drives and cuts and Andrew Viney (44) using the pull shot to great effect batting superbly together to see off the new ball and resulting in a opening partnership of 105. At this stage we had third place in the league Slough on the verge of defeat. We kept battling but the run rate slowed up. Even a big six nearly ending up in the hockey club hit by John Langley in the penultimate over was not enough and we ended up on 148-5 just two runs short of an extra bonus point.

This was a great effort by the boys and definitely deserved more points out of the match than we achieved.

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Amersham II 167-2 (40.4 ovs; Matt Ash 53)

Marlow Park batted first, but never fully recovered from losing two early wickets to Charlie Holloway's early spell. Matt Ash then produced an excellent 16 over spell, taking 5-34, and when Holloway was brought back, he completed the job, taking 5-45, as Marlow Park were bowled out for 166 in 50.1 overs.

In reply, Amersham rode their luck initially, but always looked likely to reach their target. Tim Aylott (57*) dropped anchor, while Ash (53) played some fine strokes to see Amersham home with 7 overs and 8 batsmen to spare.

* Champagne moment: Matt Ash, running himself out going for the winning run!

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Windsor II 225-5 (52 ovs; P Huggins 96*, T Bullock 49, Matt Ash 3−52)

Amersham II 184-7 (48 ovs; Will Walsh 71*, Ben Langley 35, A Hill 6−32)

Windsor were put into bat, and thanks mainly to another excellent spell from Mike Garvey (2-21), they had made only 67-2 after 26 overs. But Huggins (96*) and Bullock (49) accelerated well, and despite Matt Ash's accurate spell (3-52), Windsor accumulated 225-5 off 52 overs.

Amersham got off to a flying start in response with Ben Langley (35) and Will Walsh (71*) setting the pace, registering an opening stand of 80 off 22 overs. But the match turned when Hill (6-32) came on, and tore through Amersham's middle order. The target proved to be too steep, but Walsh and the tail saved the match while securing four useful batting points.

* Champagne moment: Will Walsh, a back-foot drive through mid-wicket for four.

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Amersham II 132-9 (48 ovs; Ian Rogers 52, R Doughty 3−30)

O.M.T. batted first, but found runs hard to come by on a slow pitch. Mike Garvey (1-28) and Charlie Holloway (3-40) were the most impressive bowlers, as Amersham improved immeasurably from the previous week's collapse. However, Katz (27*) and Coker (30) struck an 8th wicket stand of 50 as O.M.T. recovered to a useful 198-8.

In reply, Amersham's batsmen found the bowling too accurate to keep up with the required run rate, and when wickets began to fall, survival became the only goal. But in-form veteran Ian Rogers whacked a typically defiant 52 including 3 sixes, and the tail managed to hold out for a draw at 132-9, picking up 2 useful batting points the process.

* Champagne moment: Asa Bridle, running out Winkle with a direct hit.

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Chalfont St Peter II 201-2 (34.3 ovs; Javed Ali 115*, David Peters 64*)

Amersham were asked to bat first on a damp and uneven track, and struggled initially against the new ball. But the middle order of Renny Adams (36), Ian Rogers (40) and Jerry Alwyn (36) recovered well, and thanks to calculated hitting from Jamie Toates (19) and Charlie Holloway (15) they reached 200 and collected the full 10 batting points.

The visitors looked on course for victory when Chalfont struggled to 20-2, thanks to two clinical catches behind the stumps from Ben Langley. Unfortunately from then on, the bowlers struggled to find length and line, and Ali (115*) and Peters (64*) took full advantage of the loose balls, to win the game with an unbroken partnership of 181.

* Champagne moment: Charlie Holloway, effortlessly guiding a six over square leg on the long boundary.

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Amersham II 174-3 (47.2 ovs; Tim Aylott 60, Ben Langley 44)

High Wycombe batted first, and were well set at 90-2, but then spinners Matt Ash (5-43) and David Sidebottom (3-79) began to get on top. Wickets fell at regular intervals, but a last wicket of 23 resulted in a potentially awkward total of 173.

However, in reply Tim Aylott (60) and Ben Langley (43) shared an opening stand of 109, and Ian Rogers (16*) and Ash (29*) completed the job as Amersham cantered to victory with 7 wickets and 7 overs to spare.

* Champagne moment: David Sidebottom, bowling the dangerous Sohail with a classic off-break.

Morrant Thames Valley Cricket League − Division 4B

Amersham II 149-8 (48 ovs; Renny Adams 49, Ian Rogers 38, C Denton 3−25)

Kidmore End batted first and paced their innings well to reach 204-8. Mike Garvey (1-43), Jamie Toates (1-54) and Ian Rogers (3-53) all produced impressive long spells.

Amersham's innings, already missing the hospitalised Ben Langley, got off to a poor start at 24-3. But this brought together veterans Renny Adams (49) and Rogers (38), who expertly repaired the damage. Any hope of an unlikely victory disappeared when Rogers was caught on the boundary, but the tail successfully held on for the draw, albeit 54 runs adrift.

* Champagne moment: Tim Aylott: diving catch at mid off

Chesham II 141 (48 ovs; Charles Holloway 3−23)

Amersham II 85 (46.1 ovs; B Shipley 6−10)

Chesham batted first but struggled on a slow track and an even slower outfield. Charlie Holloway (3-23) and Ian Rogers (2-25) were the pick of the bowlers, but five dropped catches helped allow Chesham to escape to a relatively challenging 141.

Amersham looked well set for victory when new-boy Andrew Dalling (27) and Glen Saffery (19) put on 54 for the first wicket. But the game turned when Shipley's off breaks (6-10) ripped through the Amersham middle-order, helped by two wonder catches by Ringsal. The resistance of Chris Richards (5 not out) almost steered Amersham to a draw, but the final wicket was taken with just 5 balls remaining, and Amersham had collapsed to a disappointing 85 all out.