Crowthorne & Crown Wood Cricket Club

Dean Timms produced a classy knock of 63 to rescue the Sunday team after a top order collapse, but couldn't prevent a seven-wicket defeat at BBC Caversham.

After losing the toss and being put in on a pitch which gave plenty of uneven bounce, sideways movement and variable pace, Crows' top order couldn't cope with the unpredictability of the new ball, with Nick and skipper Dave out for ducks (Dave is now joint top of the Duck Prize leaderboard). A typically solid, slow innings from Fluffer steadied the ship while Dean began to find his feet, but once he was out for seven, wickets continued to fall with regularity. Only Rich (19) and Sean put up any resistance, the latter smashing 32 in a typically 'all or nothing' innings of 'stand and deliver' hitting.

Crows total in this timed game of 142-9 was probably 20-30 runs short, but at least it gave us something to defend. Azza made an early breakthrough with brutal lifting delivery gloved to keeper Rich, who made it two catches when Monty found an excellent length to pick up his solitary wicket.

Despite Fluffer's most consistent spell of the season, including a wicket thanks to a sharp catch at slip from Dean, the BBC Caversham batsmen gave Crows a lesson in good running, putting pressure on the fielders, who despite plenty of effort gave away too many singles through being too deep and not being able to pick the ball up cleanly. Nevertheless, Crows never gave up, as typified by spirited fielding displays from Jimmy Jimmy and Brendon, along with a tight spell of bowling from Mark. However, it wasn't enough to prevent the hosts taking the spoils.