NEWBURY suffered their third consecutive defeat as they continue to slip down the Thames Valley League Division 3a table, writes Oscar Beardmore-Gray.

This time they fell at the hands of Yateley, who recorded their first win of the season to climb off the foot of the table.

Batting first, Newbury posted a credible 169 in 36 overs with Sat Pal (75) and Ed Uden (44) making good contributions.

However, Yateley had no trouble chasing the target, winning by five wickets in 41 overs despite Charlie Anstey’s 4-45.

Newbury will look to regroup in their next game against third-placed Falkland 2nds.

Falkland scraped over the line in a low-scoring affair at home to Windsor in Division One.

The visitors, who are rooted to the bottom of the table, struggled with the bat losing four wickets with the score on 60 before eventually being bowled out for just 86. Falkland had a lot to thank Saranga Rajaguru for, the Sri Lankan returning impressive figures of 6-22 from 9.4 overs.

However, Falkland were taken to the wire by a spirited Windsor side.

At 43-3 they would have thought the game was virtually won, but they soon found themselves 58-7. In the end, Falkland won by one wicket with the help of 17 from number nine Freddie Lennox. They remain fifth in the league and will be looking for their fourth successive victory this Saturday when they face a mid-table clash at Wokingham.

In Division 2b Thatcham were up against bottom side Chiswick and Whitton.

Chiswick won the toss and put Thatcham in, but they would have regretted that decision as Josh O’Flynn and Kieran Wood posted a century opening partnership, both reaching 50 in quick succession.

Wood batted brilliantly, and at just 16 has a very bright future ahead of him.

He was well in sight of a maiden league century when he was caught on the boundary for 89. Peter Spriggs also reached his second 50 in as many weeks as he remained unbeaten on 52 at the end of the innings, Thatcham posting 276-6 declared after 49 overs.

With such an imposing total on the board, Thatcham’s skipper Duncan Johnson was able to set some very attacking fields and his side continued to take regular wickets; Harpeet Bhatia falling to John Williams for 25 and Peter Spriggs removing Leo Glover for 27.

Opener Aman Chopra offered the most resistance, eventually falling for 71. When he fell, Chiswick’s had a handful of overs to see out the draw and eventually closed on 206-8 in their 51 overs.

The draw gives Thatcham 14 points and they will hope to return to winning ways next week against Hurst.