Little Marlow endured mixed fortunes when they played three first team friendlies in the space of five days.

The trio of fixtures got off to a promising start thanks to a swashbuckling century from opener Guy Thistlethwaite (127*), his first in adult cricket, which inspired them to victory against The Hatchers on June 3.

In pursuit of a 215 run target, Thistlethwaite scored nearly all 43 runs of an opening partnership with Steve Shore (5) before playing the lead role in a 151 second wicket stand with Farooq Hussain.

The latter was eventually stumped for 48, but skipper Neil Lancum (8*) helped Thistlethwaite finish the job without further loss and with 4.3 overs in hand.

On Saturday, Marlow sensed a second victory was in the offing when visitors Maidenhead and Bray were reeling on 16-2 in the eighth over of their reply to the hosts’ 221-4. An opening bowling attack of Matt Wilson and Andrew St Maur had maintained tight control for the home side but once they came off the balance of power shifted dramatically.

None of the six change bowlers was able to exert any pressure as the scoring rate escalated throughout a series of substantial partnerships, leaving Maidenhead to cruise home with eight overs to spare.

Arfan Sharif and Farooq Hussain had earlier revived Little Marlow after the loss of three early wickets, sharing 111 before the former was bowled for 55.

Hussain then dominated an unbroken alliance of 89 with Lancum (23*), but missed out on a century by just one run when the innings closed after the allotted 40 overs.

Sunday saw Hampshire Vagabonds also have an easy ride as they romped to a nine wicket triumph after putting in a strong display with the ball.

Sharif’s 74 was the only noteworthy contribution towards Marlow’s below par score of 130 all out – an innings that featured four ducks and two scores of one.

The one-sided nature of the contest continued when Vagabonds knocked off their target for the loss of just one batsman, who fell victim to the bowling of Awais Hussain.

Little Marlow have another friendly against Greys Green away on Sunday.