Weekly League roundup by George Watson
Week Fourteen - 29 July 2018 (download report as a
PDF here) Tigers and Millwall dominate
Division 1
London Tigers continued their unbeaten run in the VPCCL as they and
Friends pulled off a tense tie. Opting to bat first, The Tigers,
aggressive as ever smashed 183-5 with Mitu returning to the crease
and finishing unbeaten on 76. Mohammned Naveed looked in super form
before being run out by the keeper for 40 as Friends kept up with
the rate to take it down a nervous final over. Needing three of the
final ball, they only managed to run two before being run out on the
third run - with the league wide open only Millwall, who rest this
week have a hundred percent record.
After two tough defeats, Sky returned to form with a comfortable
victory over London Fields. With skipper Aleem Hussain out with an
inured hand, Sky elected to bat first and struck a huge 213-5. Tariz
Mahmood (51) and Mustafa (50) top scoring. Despite skipper Will
Issas’s enjoyably aggressive 41, the Fields fell well short
finishing on 127-6.
Old Fallopians 1st XI continued their good run with another
comfortable victory against Best Nationals. Bowling out Best
Nationals for just 119. OF chased down the score with ease. Junaid
Mohi striking 51 off just 23 balls.
At the bottom, Mile End Tailenders chased down Bansko Bears’s 170 in
a tense encounter. Bankso, batting first and looked in good nick
with Tom Curtis (50) contributing with the bat. They then removed
all three of Mile Tailenders dangerous batsmen cheaply including the
in-form Sanj Gunewardene. However, Wilson Digby (47) and Sojhan
Ariyadasa (41) hit back as the Tailenders won with just four balls
to spare finishing on 172-3.
Divison 2
If Division 1 is close, then Division 2 ended the week incredibly
close, with three points separating four teams.
Victoria Lounge moved back to top with a tight victory over
Crossrail, albeit with a game more than the others. Crossrail, who
have won more of their matches chasing opted to put Victoria Lounge
into bat and on the batting hard surface. It proved to be a costly
decision as the Lounge enjoyed a wicketless innings thanks to scores
from John Crutcher (50) and Tom Stevens (52) finishing on 168-0.
Crossrail wobbled in their chase and despite some late strikes from
Firoz Hussain (34) finished on 134-5.
Another top of the table clash saw Camel Lights take on Expats.
Camel who have found form at the perfect time, suffered the early
blow in the field when Sam Berkson broke his thumb fielding. Expats,
missing several key batsmen and nursing a poor run finished on
148-5, Sam Addis top scoring with 50. Camels once again showed their
depth in winning the key games as they raced to victory with Matt
Redgrave (50) leading the way as Camels finished on 149-3 in 13
overs.
Another challengers for the title Broadway kept up their momentum
with an easy victory over Old Fallopians 2nd XI. Reducing old
Fallopians to 121-4, Broadway eased home in just 8 overs, thanks to
some super hitting from Ben Howard (53) and super striking from Ed
Sherwood (44 from 18 balls).
Homerton also kept up their chase on the leading pack with a narrow
victory over L&Q Living. Sam Hickey was the hero for Homerton as he
struck a superb 52 and alongside some last gasp hitting from Tom
Towie (35) Homerton finished on 163-5. In reply L&Q finished
thirteen runs short on 153-5 with Khalid unbeaten on 46.
Another chasing team. Mad Marroccas. kept up their good form with a
comfortable victory over Sports Interactive. SI, batting first were
bowled out for 85. MM chased down their target in just 7.3 overs
thanks to 35 from Charlie Cox.
Masiha’s hopes of catching the leaders all but ended as they were
beaten by Pacific. Masiha, after a slow start, hit a confident 161-4
with skipper Adnan Ali unbeaten on 51. However, some fine smashing
from the Pacific openers, Toby Chasseaud (53) and Ben Boorman (51)
comfortably leading them to victory in 12 overs.