A brilliant all-round show from Michael Higgs helped Thame get back to winning ways in Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Division 2 West with a thrilling four-wicket win at Basingstoke.

Higgs captured 3-6 in 2.2 overs before making 65 as Thame secured victory with just two balls to spare.

He was ably assisted by Beard who contributed a fine 73.

The duo are in fine form having both his half-centures in last week’s draw against Gerrards Cross.

Putting their opponents into bat, Thame got off to a great start as Jaydeep Bhatti, who took 3-64 from 22 overs, removed opener Russell Droy with only nine runs on the board.

However, Basingstoke hit back and started to get going as they found the boundary at regularly.

Seetal Patel captured 3-61 in 13 overs, before Higgs mopped up the tail as the hosts were all out for 253.

In reply, Thame started poorly, losing the wickets of Manoj Parmar and Pratik Patel to leave themselves in trouble at 11-2.

But Beard and Higgs then took the game to Basingstoke as they rattled up a 111-run partnership for the third wicket.

When they fell, Thame needed 75 off the last 12 overs with four wickets in hand.

Ed Barnett then took the game away from the hosts with an unbeaten 37 as Thame wrapped up victory in the 51st over, with Bhatti unbeaten on 17.

The result means Thame, who have only Burnham below them in the table, are just nine points from occupying a mid-table position.