Reading CC crash to defeat against Thame Town

Skipper Firaz Amjad scored a large bulk of the runs, but his side suffered another defeat in Division Two of the Home Counties League, losing by five wickets at Thame Town.

Put into bat, Reading made a reasonable start, reaching 41-1, only to collapse to 53-6. But Amjad, who had been their top scorer by in the previous two games, offered some resistance, making 48 off 84 balls. He did not get much support, with only other two batsmen reaching double figures, Pav Chima with 16 and Abid Ul Wahab 14.

Reading managed 116 before being dismissed in the 50th over, but that modest total was still their highest in the last four games.

For Thame, Hassam Mushtaq took 3-15 off 9.3 overs, Michael Higgs 3-35 from 12 and Andy Russell 2-12 off 10.

With opener Callum Russell making 56 off 57 balls, the home side never looked in any trouble, reaching their target in 23.1 overs for the loss of five wickets.

Olly Williams was the pick of the Reading bowlers, taking 4-31 off 7.1 overs. The other wicket-taker was Anwar Whight with 1-22 off four.

It is now seven defeats from as many completed games for Reading.

This Saturday they host fifth-placed Datchet, whose squad includes Berkshire county professional Chris Peploe, skipper James Morris, head coach Tom Lambert and Joe Thomas, who made his county debut last week.

In the Thames Valley League, Reading 2nds suffered an eight-wicket reverse at home to Bagshot 2nds.

They were dismissed for 156 in 46 overs with Nat Narayanasamy making 55 and Rahul Bharti 54.

Bagshot replied with 157-2 in 41.2 overs with Geoff Young making 61 before being forced to retire hurt and Dan Sutton 60.

Sagar Chalabria was man-of-the-match as Reading 3rds inflicted a 21-run defeat on Farnham Common 2nds in Division 6b.

He scored 97 to help his side reach 209-6 in their 52 overs and then took 4-27 as the hosts were shot out for 188.

Srinivasan Kumar also bowled well to take 4-28 as Graham Cassie’s men secured their second win of the season.