2011: Chilterns title returns to Taplow

After disappointments in 2008 and 2010, when the league title was lost to Wraysbury on the last day of the season, 2011 was the season when Taplow took the Chilterns League title once more.

The season began with wins over Winchmore Hill, Braywood and against Wraysbury. By then Taplow had a healthy lead with 90 points over Braywood (69 points) and Wraysbury (62 points).

This was followed by an unexpected loss away to Great Kingshill, but the team were soon back on track with wins against Hawridge and Cholesbury, Binfield and a 9-wicket demolition of Chalfont St. Giles.

The match at Wargrave was abandoned due to rain before further wins at home to Winchmore Hill and away to Penn & Tylers Green. Taplow and Wraysbury contested the top two spots in the table, and with 10 matches played Taplow held a 10 point advantage – but the return meeting between the two sides at Wraysbury was rained off.

Undeterred Taplow continued with convincing wins at home to Great Kingshill, and away to Hawridge and Cholesbury, which increased Taplow’s lead over Wrasbury to 60 points, leaving Ed Pettman feeling confident with five games left to play.

The next match ended in a draw at home to Braywood, followed by a win at home to Wargrave. The match at Chalfont St. Giles ended in another abandonment – but this was enough to give Taplow the title as Wraysbury’s game was also abandoned, leaving them 65 points behind with two games to go. 

Taplow finished the season with an unexpected loss at home to Penn & Tylers Green and a win at home to Binfield in the final league match of the season. Taplow ended the season with 403 points. League centuries were scored by Andy Mills (111), Sujith Perera (108 not out and 100 not out) and Anton Livera (106). Javed Khan took 8-40 (versus Binfield, 4 June) and 7-57 (versus Braywood, 7 May).

The second XI finished in sixth place in Division 3 of the Chilterns League.

During the season the club staged a charity match with local company ERIKS, raising funds for the Thames Valley Adventure Playground. The club enjoyed a long association with the company, with ERIKS Day (a social day of cricket for ERIKS and their guests) becoming a regular date in the summer calendar.

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