BURNHAM pulled off a stunning 19-run win at title-chasing Henley in a low-scoring thriller in their Home Counties Premier League Division One encounter, writes Richard Ashton.
The hosts made a pair of early breakthroughs courtesy of Berkshire paceman Tom Nugent, and there was no let-up after captain Bjorn Mordt and Monty Singh reduced Burnham to 58-5.
Mordt (4-19 off 10 overs) removed Shaid Nadeem and then Mohammed Fazal, who was dropped twice during his ultimately match-winning innings of 67.
There was little lower order resisantance as Zippy Ashraf and Tahir Afridi left Burnham all out for what seemed an under-par 135.
However, the visitors found the spinning wicket to their bowlers’ liking, and gained early encouragement after openers Dave Barnes and Michael Roberts were dismissed to make it 26-2.
Only Dave Allaway (39) made an impression as Aftab Khan (3-32), Sulaiman Javed (2-18), captain Harveer Gandam (2-19) and Azhar Ali (2-25) spun their side to victory, with Henley capitulating to 116 all out.
Burnham are now sixth in the table and visit relegation-threaten Tring Park tomorrow (11am).
In Division Two, a sensational unbeaten century by Gareth Harte led Datchet to a comprehensive 121-run destruction of rock bottom Dinton.
The South African cracked 112 not out from just 78 balls, and aided by 43 from captain Steve Naylor, the visitors made 259-7.
And that total never looked enough once off spinner Harry Stephens (5-39) got to work, Dinton collapsing to 138 all out.
Fifth-placed Datchet host Shipton-under-Wychwood tomorrow (11am).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here