Victoria Park Community Cricket League

Weekly League roundup by George Watson

Week Thirteen - 22 July 2018 (download report as a PDF here)

Division 2 opens up ...

Division 1

The race for Division 1 intensified this week as both Millwall and London Tigers marched towards the title with huge wins on Monday. Millwall, who have looked fearlessly strong this season continued that trend against Sky. Put in to bat, they lost in-form Asif Ahmed early but a strong middle order kept the run rate high, with 113 at the half way point. Farhan (51), Am (35) and Saif (33) top scored as Millwall eventually finished on a daunting 200-4. Despite 48 from Nozmul Hussain and 33 from Rizwan Siddiqui, Sky fell short finishing on 180-1, a good but not good enough score.

By contrast London Tigers maintained their unbeaten record sneaking past Rose & Crown on the opposite pitch. The ever aggressive Nag smashed 48 after the Rose & Crown found themselves in trouble at 99-4, before finishing on 139-5. The Tigers, aggressive as ever, started well, with 51 from Fahad. However cheap wickets and good bowling from Jony, left Rose & Crown needing just one wicket to wrap up victory, however Fahad returned to the crease and hit the winning runs.

Friends earned a comfortable win over the ever dangerous London Fields. Opting to bat first Friends hit a fluent 167-4, with Ajmaal Pathan (51) top scoring. Fields lost several cheap wickets through run outs including in form Skipper Will Isaac, however Robin Friend returned to the crease and hit a superb 71, as Fields finished on 131-6.

Mile Tailenders capped their first victory in the division against Regents. Regents looked in good form with a superb opening partnership between Mark Partridge (49) and Daniel Ormsby (50). However sharp bowing from Soj (4-24) held Regents back as they finished on 154-4. The Tailenders fielding their strong first team had little problems as their top scorer Sanj Guewardene (53) and Wilson Digby (53) smashed the ball round the park in a commanding opening stand. Skipper John Speakman’s fluent 29 helped them to victory with 3 overs to spare.

Bansko Bears also recorded their first victory of the season against Best Nationals. The Bears who have come close several times against strong opposition hit a tricky 163-4, opener Ollie top scoring with 47 and had some enjoyable late hitting from Tate (44). Best Nationals, ruing several errors in the field, finished on just 100 with Dinesh (22) top scoring.

Old Fallopians continued their recent form with victory over Stokey Scoundrels. The Scoundrels, batting first looked in good shape with Ramiz Khan (50) and Rizwan Siddiqui (51) smashing the ball all over the ground. The OF, had little problems reaching their target with Bilal Quereshi and Zubar Gardwale hitting fifty as they reached their target in eleven overs.


Divison 2

The hunt for the division two title opened up this week as Mad Marroccas pulled off a narrow win over league leaders Expats. Batting first the Marrocas struck 172-5, with skipper Robbie Jacobs and Charlie Cox (38) top scoring. Alex Hickson once again looked in superb form as he returned to the crease finishing on 61 alongside a super 50 from Stu Campbell (who also took 3-25). But it wasn’t quite enough as Expats fell twelve runs short.

Victoria Lounge took over the lead, as they won an absorbing contest against Masiha. The Lounge struck a huge 193-3 with James Canon (55) and Rob Tatton Brown (50) top scoring. In response Masiha lost an early wicket and despite the ever aggressive Sheldon Greenland striking several huge sixes in an innings of 58 alongside Dani Domine (55), Masiha fell just nine runs short, an incredible effort.

Broadway continued their march up the table with three wins in three against Sports Interactive who played two games in two days. A super knock of 52 from Tom Laskowski helped SI to 120-3. Broadway, lost an early wicket at 16 before Cam Roberts and Ben led the way with some fierce striking as Broadway roared home.

Sports Interactive popped back out onto the field the following day following a rescheduled match against Pacific, this time their batsmen dominated the hard surface as they posted a superb knock of 167-3, their highest of the season - Alan James top scoring. Pacific lost several early wickets before finally finishing on 139-6.

Crossrail’s mixed season continued as they were brushed aside by a dominant batting display from L&Q Living. Opting to bat first Mo Iqbal hit seven fours in a super innings of 47 as Crossrail posted 146-4. L&Q eased to their target in 15 overs losing just the single wicket thanks to great striking from James Denman (50) and Sunny Sangar (51).

Just across from that game, Camel Lights and Old Fallopians 2nd VIII, pulled off a narrow tie. OF hit 126, with keeper Ollie Gold top scoring. As darkness set in and despite some fantastic striking from Brendan Cleaver (45) and Tom Porter (42), Camel Lights tied the match.

Kabir of Rose & Crown bowled v London Tigers                                 Photo: George Watson