A commanding display from Marlow saw them record a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Boyne Hill in the Thames Valley League Division One.

Overcast conditions meant swing was always likely to play an important role and Marlow were handed an early advantage as they won the toss and put Boyne into bat.

It did little to assist the hosts early on though as their free-scoring opponents set off at a run rate of six from the opening six overs. Marlow were quick to counter the worrying scoring rate and introduced spin partnership Jeremy Batten and Mark Dozell.

The decision paid off instantly as Batten combined with wicket keeper Simon Carter to clinch the vital opening wickets with two fine stumpings.

With Batten and Dozell in full flow, the Hill batsmen could not muster a response and the pair finished with figures of 7-38 and 2-36 respectively. The devastating spell left Hill on 113 all out.

Perhaps inspired by the success of Marlow’s spinners, Hill decided to open their assault on the Marlow batsmen with a combination of spin and pace.

A steady start from Imran Nawag (17) and Joe Brown (47 not out) soon consigned this approach to the scrap heap and Hill reverted to an all-out pace attack.

The change brought success as Jack Gaff reacted well to catch Nawag off the bowling of Ziya Mohamed and end the opening partnership, but Barney Hogg settled things down again with a timely knock.

His composed 44 contributed to a 72 run stand with Brown and all but sealed victory before he was dismissed with only a few runs required.

Marlow pushed on regardless and eased over the line for a victory which takes them above Hill to seventh in the table.

A match against relegation zone inhabitants Yateley in their next match provides Marlow with the ideal fixture to build on the success.