Missed opportunities get the better of Beaconsfield

Jul 16 2009 By Jon Batham, Buckinghamshire Advertiser

Beaconsfield 201-8 Reading 202-6 Beaconsfield lost by 4 wickets

AN EXCELLENT half-century from Chris Thomas couldn't save Beaconsfield from their first league defeat since the end of the 2007 season on Saturday.

Thomas proved the mainstay of the Wilton Road side's score of 201-8 at home to Reading, but catches were dropped in the reply and the visitors got home by four wickets with two overs to spare.

However, Beaconsfield still lead the table by nine points in their quest to pull off back-to-back promotions.

The hosts were soon 42-2 after being put into bat by Reading in cloudy conditions with rain threatening.

Thomas and Shahid Mahmood repaired the damage well, only for a 20-minute rain break to disturb the momentum, and the latter fell shortly before lunch LBW for 49.

On the resumption, Thomas found another staunch ally in Sam Musk and the two added 66 for the fifth wicket.

However, the initiative was lost again when Musk was struck by a ball from Saker and retired hurt for 22.Thomas eventually holed out for a fine 72 with Saker (3-60) again the pick of the bowlers as Beaconsfield posted 201-8.

In the field Beaconsfield got off to the best possible start as Tom Collins removed Middlesex contracted Dan Housego for just 4 but two dropped catches at slip of Saj Hussain prevented further progress before tea.

The missed opportunities looked like they might not matter when Shakil Ahmed (3-66) took three quick wickets in the final session to reduce Reading to 116-4, but a 64-run stand between David Barr (34) and Sukhi Kang (31) put the visitors in sight of victory.

And although Jon Mahood dismissed both batsmen in the same over, Reading got home.