Taplow just seven points away from retaining title

The title is almost certainly heading back to Taplow after they all but secured the league with victory over Holyport.

For Holyport it meant the inevitable had finally arrived and they were relegated after a dismal season which has seen them collect just one win from 17 games in Chilterns League 1st XI Division 1.

They will be playing in Division 2 next season after title chasing Taplow put the final nail in the coffin on Saturday.

Victory for a weakened Taplow side sees them edge ever closer to a third consecutive league title with second placed Wraysbury needing a miracle to overhaul the 24-point gap. Just seven points for Taplow this week and the crown will be theirs again.

Captain Will Midlane refused to get carried away. “I’m very hesitant to say that it’s in the bag bearing in mind last year when we came from behind at Penn & Tylers Green to win by one point,” he said. “We’ve done all the hard work and now we want one more win.

“When I took over as captain I said I’d do it for three years - this is my fourth. To win three titles in a row is something not many in the Chilterns League have done.”

Bottom placed Port won the toss and opted to bat first but could only manage to reach 196-9 off their 52 overs with Fisher (4-48) and Court (3-34) collecting most of the wickets for the league leaders.

Taplow then secured victory as they racked up 197-8 off 43.3 overs, but at times struggled against the bowling of Morgan who took figures of 5-55.

However, Taplow had Perera to thank as his knock of 87 contributed towards victory.

“Against Holyport we knew it could be one of those games where we could slip up but we pulled it together when it mattered,” said Midlane.

Penn & Tylers Green stand in the way of Taplow this week. Midlane commented: “After last year, Penn & Tylers won’t do us any favours. We need to score 200 runs and take four wickets to get seven points and the title.

“We could slip up but I guarantee the boys want to win a third title.”

This weekend sees the final round of games in the Chilterns League with Taplow playing Penn & Tylers Green, while Holyport play Wraysbury.