East Garston, Sunday 7th August 2011

35 Over Match: Inkpen drew with East Garston (East Garston 61/4 in 19 overs, rain stopped play)

East Garston won the toss and elected to bat. Mark Pateman took a wicket in the first over, caught by Mark Prestoe with the score on 3. The next wicket fell on 13, Paul Reeves bowling and a great catch by Mark Robinson.

Following a rain break, M Pateman clean bowled a batsman with the score on 14 before a small stand helped East Garston move onto 56 when another good catch by wicketkeeper Michael Dixon broke up the partnership.

An early tea was called following more rain showers however the square was to now wet and a draw was agreed by the captains.

One negative was Mark Prestoe dislocating his shoulder and having to go to hostpital. Get well soon!

Team: Mark Robinson, Michael Dixon, Dennis Mare, Gavin McLauchlan, Emmett O’Connell, Mark Pateman, Nigel Pateman, Mark Prestoe, Paul Reeves, Matt Turner, James Wooldridge

Ramsbury, Sunday 10th July 2011

35 Over Match: Ramsbury beat Inkpen by 75 runs (Ramsbury 181/5, Inkpen 106 all out in 25 overs)

Team: Mark Robinson, Ian Dixon, Alex Hiscock, Jon Kempster, Dennis Mare, Emmett O’Connell, Mark Pateman, Nigel Pateman, Mark Prestoe, Phil White, James Wooldridge

Cold Ash, Sunday 3rd July 2011

35 Over Match: Cold Ash beat Inkpen by 83 runs (Cold Ash 149/6, Inkpen 66 all out in 21 overs)

Cold Ash won the toss and decided to bat.

Playing on a slow but lively wicket Inkpen’s opening bowlers started well, restricting the run rate to only 3 per over for the first 10 overs. In the 12th over Inkpen took the first wicket, Dennis Mare sizzling a ball down for B Alton to slice it to Dave Prestoe for an easy catch. Mare then got the other opener LBW in his next over. A good partnership between Leadbeater and Hunt moved the runs along until Leadbeater was run out for 30. Hunt continued to score before being bowled by Alex Hiscock for 28. Michael Dixon then caught R Lavender off the bowling of Mark Prestoe for 3, Matt Turner bowled M Green for 17, and finally Mark Robinson took the wicket of T Skinner in the last over with a catch to Mare.

The Inkpen reply started briskly with Michael Dixon top scoring with a rapid 18 before being trapped LBW by Faithful. Nobody could get into any scoring rhythm, and with some quick bowling from Cold Ash the runs became hard to find and the wickets started tumbling. A fine hat-trick from C Hunt sealed Inkpen’s fate, the home side falling well short of the 150 target on just 66 all out.

Nevertheless, a pleasant way to spend a lovely sunny afternoon.

Team: Mark Robinson, Michael Dixon, Kev Heath, Alex Hiscock, Jon Kempster, Dennis Mare, Dave Prestoe, Mark Prestoe, Liam Reid, Matt Turner, James Wooldridge

Chieveley, Wednesday 8th June 2011

20/20 Match: Chieveley beat Inkpen by 7 wickets (Inkpen 116/5, Chieveley 117/4)

A close game, with Inkpen very well placed for victory at one point.

Solid batting saw Inkpen reach a creditable 116 from the 20 overs with Gavin McLauchlan top scoring (42). The Chieveley reply got off to a very slow start as they were held to 16 runs from their first 8 overs due to excellent bowling from Dennis Mare and Mark Pateman. Unfortunately the bowling got a little loose from then on and Chieveley opened up, scoring the next 101 runs in 10 and a bit overs to secure the victory.

Afterwards we retired to the Red Lion where Chieveley put on a decent chilli and we were able to reflect on one that got away.

Team: Mark Robinson, Ian Dixon, Alex Hiscock, Dennis Mare, Tim Marston, Gavin McLauchlan, Mark Pateman, Nigel Pateman, Mark Prestoe, Liam Reid

Confused No-Show: Dave Lester

Falkland Sunday 3rd XI, Sunday 29th May 2011

35 Over Match: Inkpen beat Falkland by 5 wickets (Falkland 102 all out, Inkpen 103/5 in 22 overs)

After 6 years and 14 days (and 31 games) Inkpen finally win a match beating Falkland Sunday 3rd XI by 5 wickets!

Inkpen’s last win was also against Falkland back in 2005. Falkland won the toss and elected to bat, but got off to a bad start losing two wickets in the first two overs. All of Inkpen’s 8 bowlers got a wicket or two, and Falkland could only manage 102 all out with J Horne top scoring with 60. Inkpen’s reply got off to a good start with Ian Dixon hitting boundaries and losing 3 cricket balls in the process. The runs kept flowing and Inkpen reached the total in the 22nd over.

Well done to all the players and let’s not wait another six years!

Team: Mark Robinson, Ian Dixon, Alex Hiscock, Jon Kempster, Dennis Mare, Dave Prestoe, Mark Prestoe, Mark Richards, Matt Turner, James Wooldridge