Morrant Thames Valley League

Division Two A 

A pair of superb centuries were not enough to steer Old Merchant Taylors’ to victory as they drew with Harefield Seconds on Saturday.

OMTs won the toss and opted to bat first. Their decision was more than vindicated as captain Paul Marshall (120) and Rehan Hassan (106 not out) put on fine tons to put the home side in the box seat.

And OMTs continued to pile on the runs against a Harefield attack that simply could not find a way through.

The home side batted through their full allotted overs to finish on a strong total of 267 for two.

After tea OMTs came out desperate to push on for the win and for much of the innings it looked as if they would manage just that.

Chairman and club stalwart Paul Katz (six for 45) found a way through much of the Harefield batting line-up. But ultimately it was not to be as the visitors managed to cling on for a draw, holding out to finish on 188 for nine and denying OMTs a thoroughly-deserved win.

Division Six A

A dismal batting display undermined Old Merchant Taylors’ Seconds against Chenies & Latimer Seconds, sending the away side to a 98-run defeat.

OMTs started brightly in this keenly-contested fixture, with stand-in captain Guy Edwards scoring an early direct hit run out to remove one of the Chenies openers before a couple more wickets left the home side stuttering on 25 for three.

But just as OMTs felt they had a firm grip on the game, a belligerent rearguard innings from Chenies skipper Brian Shipley wrestled control back in their favour.

Neil Richards was the stand-out bowler with an excellent return of four for 46 as hosts Chenies were all out for 175.

But OMTs shot themselves in the foot repeatedly and an incredible four run outs saw them skittled out for a paltry 87.