Emmbrook and Bearwood (238-7) beat Crowthorne & Crown Wood (199-9)
EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD defended their total of 238 to earn a 39-run victory over CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD to move to the top of the BCM Championship.
In the early stages of the league campaign, the Bears sit at the top of the table on 90 points after winning their opening two fixtures, while the Crows are in eighth.
Emmbrook won the toss and elected to bat first. Crwothrone made a formidable start as they had both Matt Loxton and Jafe David out with just eight runs on the board.
The hosts started to recover after a nervy start and managed to amass 98 on the scoreboard before the next two wickets fell which included a half century from Andy Lazenbury.
A strong display in the middle and back end of the order saw Emmbrook move onto a healthy total of 238 as 43 from Matt Booth and 53 not out from David Healey boosted the innings.
With 238 to chase down, the Crows made a promising start as they were able to total 32 from their opening partnership of Anthony Cluett and Peter Emes before Cluett was removed from the bowling of Tom Stevenson, caught by Jack Narraway.
The next two wickets came in quick succession as Oliver Taylor was bowled by Lazenbury before Peter Emes was caught by Andy Robertson, bowled Lazenbury to put Crowthorne on 47-3.
The visitors got themselves firmly back in the contest with their trio at the crease which saw Will Avrili (25), Daniel Cartlidge (44) and Chrisotpher Emes (30) get them back on track.
But with the overs beginning to run out, Emmbrook were able to take the large share of the points as Crowthorne ended their 45 over innings on 199-9.
Lazenbury and David Healey both ended with two wickets, while Williams collected three wickets.
Emmbrook ended with 40 points, while Crows picked up seven points in defeat.
Next week the Bears travel away to face Braywood while Crowthorne host Ballinger Waggoners.
Emmbrook and Bearwood batting: Loxton 8, Williams 14, David 0, Lazenbury 57, Narraway 25, Booth 43, Stevenson 12, Davis 16*, Healey 53*, Robertson dnb, Morgan dnb
Crowthorne & Crown Wood bowling: K Cluett 2-70, Chandran 1-30, Taylor 0-27, Emes 1-16, A Cluett 2-35, Vogel 0-38, Golding 0-12
Crowthorne & Crown Wood batting: A Cluett 12, P Emes 28, Taylor 1, Avrili 25, Cartledge 44, C Emes 30, Kruger 9, J Cluett 10, Vogel 19, Golding 2*, Chandran 1*
Emmbrook and Bearwood bowling: Stevenson 1-13, Morgan 0-36, Lazenbury 2-22, Robertson 0-38, Healey 2-33, Davis 1-32, Williams 3-17
