THAMES VALLEY LEAGUE DIVISION 3A

Henley thirds 205-9

Hayes 138

Henley thirds won by 67 runs

HAYES’ inconsistent start to the season continued on Saturday as they slipped to defeat at home to Henley thirds.

Having won the toss, Henley elected to make use of the pitch and a solid if slow opening partnership of 85 was ended by Sean Morgan in the 33rd over. A second soon followed before Morgan (2-29) struck again to leave Henley on 89-3 in the 35th.

A fourth wicket partnership of 57 seemed to set Henley up for a large total, but skipper Michael Green (6-49) was in good form with the ball and the innings finished on 205-9 in the 52nd over.

In reply, Hayes reached 29 by the sixth over with relative ease before a mix-up in communication resulted in a run out.

A second wicket fell with the score on 35 before a partnership of 40 for the third wicket seemed to place Hayes in a very good position to chase down the total.

However, it all fell apart with a middle-order collapse and Hayes lost four quick wickets to finish 138 all out to leave them in sixth place, on 56 points, after four games.

Hayes seconds moved into second in Division 6A with a convincing five-wicket win at Datchet.

Hayes thirds fell to a heavy defeat to Eastcote, while Hayes fourths earned seven points and a draw with Hillingdon Manor in Division 9B.

Elsewhere, Old Merchant Taylors’ beat Newbury by three wickets in Division 3B.