After enjoying an impressive pre-season, Chesham Cricket Club got their Thames Valley League Division One campaign off to a fine start with victory over Yateley.

Saturday’s match saw Chesham win the toss and elect to field first, a decision which would be vindicated as they bowled their opponents out for 196.

The Chesham bowling attack shared the wicket taking responsibilities among themselves, but there were particularly impressive turns for Pip France (3-28) and Gift Kwatsha (3-32), while Ashley Turner also contributed.

An opening partnership of 48, which was underpinned by Matt Rance’s 37, and a stylish 20 from Luke Webb laid a solid foundation for Chesham in response.

A flurry of wickets threatened to scupper the good early work as Chesham were reduced to 113-6 by a resurgent Yateley.

Andy Goddard’s 37 helped steady the ship as he was joined by the ever-impressive France to build a partnership of 49.

France would go on to smash 61 from only 29 deliveries to add a match-winning batting display to his three wicket haul, as Chesham got over the line with two wickets and 10 overs to spare.

Chesham’s Second’s put together an altogether less impressive display as a batting collapse saw them fall to a 71 run defeat to Marlow Park.

The day had started brightly for Chesham after they dismissed Park for a more than achievable 174, largely thanks to the bowling of James Anderson who finished with figures of 4-38.

Having reached 37 without loss Chesham looked well set to chase down Park, but the loss of Dominic Goodman and Brendon O’Donovan signalled a downturn in their fortunes as they were skittled out for 103.

Elsewhere, the Thirds had to settle for a draw after playing out a high scoring match against Burnham as they finished on 208-7 while trying to chase down 235.

A superb knock of 113 not out from debutant Matt Thompson led Chesham’s Fourths to a comprehensive eight wicket victory over Woburn Narkovians.

There was despair in the League Cup T20 for Chesham Women who lost by 24 runs against Harrow, despite battling innings of 31 and 15 from Harriet Stone and Hannah Frain respectively.

The under-15 girls were comprehensively beaten by 10 wickets by Ballinger, while Chesham under-13s and under-15s both won to progress in their cup competitions.