Cookham Dean in easy cup win

Cookham Dean Cricket Club got their Village Cup campaign off to the best possible start with a convincing 67-run win against West End Esher of Surrey.

The hosts were put into bat and soon found themselves in trouble at 32-3 after the dangerous Nishil Patel was run out.

However a steady 36 from Ben Millar, who shared a 67-run third wicket partnership with Imran Butt, consolidated Cookham’s position.

The innings briefly threatened to capitulate after the introduction of Adil Dutta’s (4-34) canny left arm spin, but Chris Nunn, batting at eight, hit a valuable 22 to edge the total up to 176 while Butt top-scored with 52.

West End’s reply failed to get going after Paul Lynns was controversially run-out to leave them struggling on 24-2 and none of the visiting batsmen were able to cope with the difficult conditions and Dean’s six-pronged seam attack.

West End skipper Ian Cripps put up some resistance with a measured 33 but his side were bundled out for 109 in the 35th over with Amit Pate making the most of the uneven early season wicket with 5-23.