A decent bowling performance was not enough for Marlow as they lost their opening game of the Thames Valley Cricket League Division One season by 25 runs against Wokingham.

Marlow won the toss and elected to bowl. It was a decision which took time to pay off as they had to wait until the 10th over to claim their first wicket.

Wokingham captain Stuart Hayter proved to be the standout performer as he scored a patient 69 to score the bulk of his side’s runs.

Stuart Parson’s (22), Mike Bates (30) and Jack Fisher (20) were the only other Wokingham players to make any sort of score.

Marlow’s opening bowler Paul Brzezicki was a controlling presence for his side as he conceded just 18 runs from his 10 overs and took one wicket.

Wickets fell at regular intervals throughout the innings as Mark Dozell took 2-27, Jeremy Batty claimed 3-37 and Steve Sylvester finished with figures of 3-47.

On a decent batting wicket Wokingham’s 203 all out looked like a beatable total for Marlow to chase down.

They started brightly enough as their openers saw out eight overs before the loss of the first Marlow wicket.

Barny Hogg scored an excellent quick-fire 45, but regular wickets allowed the Wokingham attack to remain in control of proceedings.

They kept the run rate low and reduced Marlow to 85-5. Marlow were not about to go down without a fight, however, and Graham Paskins (30) and Batty put on (46) put on 59 for the sixth wicket.

The fall of Paskins coincided with an ultimately fatal collapse as Marlow lost their last five wickets for just 36 runs to finish on 178 all out from 49 overs.

Wokingham’s bowlers shared the wicket taking duties as Tony Clapham (2-29), Paul Dewick (2-25) and Tom Wood (4-33) all striking.

Marlow take on Chesham away from home in their next game on Saturday.