Ist XI: A Pheonix Reborn

James Nicholas's Report

After two lack-lustre performances, Denham travelled to the ground of league-leading Englefield; another thrashing was surely in the offing.

Instead, Denham recorded their first win of the season.

Asked to field first, the home side looked to be in a strong position as Wall made 70. However Mahmood 5-49 and Nicholas 3-19 bowled Denham back into the game and Englefield were dismissed for 183.

Khan made a steady 47 for Denham in reply but the other top order batsmen were unable to deal with Thakuradus 4-38.

When Khan was out with the score on 103-6 Denham appeared to be heading for their third straight defeat.

However Mahmood, 47 not out and Shaikh, 17 not out saw Denham home with a couple of overs to spare.

30 points to Denham, yippee.

2nd XI v Binfield

Mark Dalton's Report

Smash and Grab and Salvage

At Branscombe beach in Devon earlier in the year some smart young fellows were wheeling new BMW motorcycles from cargo containers washed up on the foreshore. The good ship MSC Napoli had beached in Lyme Bay and was losing its cargo overboard as it wallowed in the shallow water.

Parallels with the MSC Napoli’s plight could be drawn with Saturday’s game at the Way and Tillard. Denham won the toss and inserted Binfield as is the tradition on early season Denham wickets.

That’s when the wallowing started as we served up plenty of buffet balls for the Binfield batters to help themselves too. Our bowling (and fielding) was all at sea: the only exception being a fine spell of accurate (yes accurate) pace bowling from Simpson.

Continued in next column

Sunday XI v Pacific

20th May

to follow

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2nd XI Continued

The Binfield right hand, left hand combo didn’t help our cause and we were all but floating around in an inflatable dinghy in a force 9 not knowing which way to turn. A little more energy, enthusiasm and effort (oh yes and concentration) is necessary to make it worth our while turning up on a Saturday afternoon and playing what is a competitive game. Come On!

Binfield 260 for 6 after 52 at tea.

So we had floundered, run aground: was there to be any salvation in our batting. Fortunately, today, yes. Dalton (57) and Treacy (124 not out) performed a salvage job of sorts. The batting line up was not strong on paper but we actually restored a degree of pride and did not sink to defeat as well we might have.

206 for 7 after 48 overs at the close. This was a respectable performance after what had proceeded earlier in the day.

Honours even! Well just. Sort of.

Let’s try and stay afloat for the rest of the season.

Low Light: Poor Denham bowling

High Light: Ambrose century

Next week away at Littlewick Green.