With the match reduced to 80 overs due to rain, Skipper James Bird looked to win the toss and Bowl. Doing just that, Falkland set out to take early wickets and restrict Beaconsfield’s total to something chase able.
Matthew Williams made the first breakthrough dismissing opener Aidan Summerfield for 1 in his first ball. Williams then struck again a few overs later to leave Beaconsfield 23-2. Some defiance was shown by Beaconsfield’s Montgomery Evans and James Warsop, both of whom looked dangerous. The introduction of Elliot Seddon proved to be the battle for these two bats with the Kiwi off spinner taking both their wickets, with Brandon Gilmour picking up a wicket in between. It was then down to Lachie Field and veteran seamer, Jason Williams to take the remaining wickets. Field trapping a dangerous looking James Kenny LBW for 22. Whilst Williams used all his years of experience in the game to take 3 wickets, combining twice with Bird, taking two catches for Williams wickets. Field took the last wicket, picking up his second and leaving Beaconsfield 166 all out from 38.3 overs and Falkland left with 41 overs to chase.
Another strong start of 55 from openers Bird and Gilmour set Falkland on a great platform. Punishing the bad ball and respecting the good ball both looked to cause some damage. The partnership was broken when Gilmour was dismissed for 26, with Falkland in a strong position to kick. Anthony Hennis was unfortunate to not join in with the runs, receiving a fantastic delivery to bowl him for 1. It was Field who stole the show however, the Aussie overseas showed his class hitting 6 fours and 2 sixes in his 55, including a straight six out of the ground, displaying an innings of maturity and precision. After the wickets of Bobby Brown and Field it was left to Seb Chapman (20*) and Elliot Seddon (14*) to see the boys home. With Falkland needing 13 to win, Seddon, in his usual cut throat way hit two sixes to leave the team with 1 to win, unfortunately he wasn’t able to complete the hat trick and 4 byes were the conclusion to a well deserved victory. Falkland are now up to 2nd in the league and have 9th placed Eversley visiting the Enborne Lodge Ground next Saturday.
By Edan Camplin