Weekly League roundup by George Watson
Week Fifteen - 7 August 2018 (download report as a
PDF here) Division 2 tightens up
Division 1
The latest week started in controversy after London Tigers were
docked a point for poor scorecard errors against Friends the week
before, result in that tie being awarded as a win for Friends, the
Tigers’ unbeaten run coming to an end and the advantage being passed
to Millwall.
However, the advantage didn’t last long as defending champions Rose
& Crown blasted back to form with a comfortable victory over
unbeaten Millwall. Putting Millwall into bat, a risk many choose not
to make, Rose & Crown reduced Millwall to 138-6, thanks to an
excellent spell from spinner Joe Fisher, who took the best figures
of the season so far with 5-26. Only a stubborn 61 from skipper
Salman Miah gave Millwall any chance. But unlike Camel Lights, in
the cup who chased a similar score, the Crown, missing several
strong batsmen were ruthless in their chase. Fisher, continued his
superb match by scoring an unbeaten 46 alongside the ever dangerous
Patrick Heaphy who retired on 51, as the Crown eased home with two
overs left, to give Division 1 a last-minute shake-up.
London Tigers put the points deduction behind them with a stunning
performance against London Fields. Opting to bat, the Tigers lost
just a single wicket as they smashed a mighty 208-1, with all the
top four; Sharif (51), Salman Ahmed (50), Mohammed Fahad (53) and
Mair (51) all retiring. Skipper Will Isaac (34) defied the bowlers
with some controlled hitting, but Sobur Ahmed’s stunning spell of
4-20 ripped through the Fields batting as they finished well short
on 76.
Sky, meanwhile, pulled off a dramatic last gasp victory over
Friends. Friends hit a tricky 172-4 with Ajmal Afzal (52) top
scoring. Sky, aggressive as ever, lost several wickets but boosted
by Kabir Satti (50) and Mustafa Zhaid (56) alongside Tariq’s 20 off
just seven balls saw Sky edge to victory with four balls to spare.
Bankso Bears kept up their late purple patch with a tense victory
over Regents. Bowling Regents out for 104, (David Campbell top
scoring for 26) Bankso, a man down after a last minute personal
issue, nervously chased down their target, with Saj (41) and skipper
Chris Salter (30) leading the way.
Mile Tailenders also kept up their fine form, making it three out of
three with victory over Best Nationals. The Nationals hit a
below-par 136 all out with Tushar Kanaujia (46) top scoring. The
Tailenders wobbled at 36-3 before in-form skipper John Speakman
rallied with several blasts in his unbeaten score of 44 driving the
Tailenders to victory.
Divison 2
Expats roared back to form against Crossrail ending their run of
three straight defeats. The Australians posted a huge 193-4, with
Mike McGhan blasting an unbeaten fifty and Sam Addis adding 45.
Although Fizroz Hussain and Daniel Venn dominating the batting,
Crossrail fell well short ending on 162-5 despite a spirited 52 from
Riz Mohammed as Expats joined Victoria Lounge at the top of the
Division.
Mad Marrocas' title hopes all but ended as they were defeated by L&Q
Living. Living, who have had an up and down season making them
wonderfully unpredictable, opted to bat first and hit a fluent
163-2, with in-form Sunny Sanger (49) and J. Khalid (37) top
scoring. MM lost several early wickets and despite being boosted by
a super knock of 61 from skipper Robbie Jacobs, fell narrowly short,
ending on 158-3.
Masiha enjoyed a narrow victory over in-form Homerton. Put into bat,
Masiha made a steady start with reliable opener Stuart Miller
retiring not out. However despite some fireworks from Sheldon
Greenland, whose 41 consisted of three fours and three sixes, Mashia
never quite got going finishing on 153-3. Homerton lost their
skipper early before a steady partnership between Sagar Bora and
John Hyde kept them in touch, before late wickets restricted
homerton to 134-5, nineteen runs short.
At the bottom of Division 2, Old Fallopians 2nd XI saw off a
spirited Sports Interactive. Batting first OF finished on 140-4
thanks largely to opener Matt Wake’s crucial 39. Despite an
enjoyable innings from Daniel Ormbsy (46) and Tirath Singh (37)
Sports Interactive fell narrowly short ending on 120-5.
Crossrail completed the week with their second match in three days
against Pacific. Opting to bat, Pacific posted a 147-1 with fifties
from Tom Chasseaud and Muntz Siddiquie. However Crossrail weren’t to
be denied and with Mohammed Iqbal striking a quick-fire fifty and
the ever reliable skipper Daniel Venn keeping the run rate ticking
over alongside Fizroz Hussain (28) as Crossrail reached their target
with four balls remaining.