Weekly League roundup by George Watson
Week Seventeen - 19 August 2018 Millwall crowned league champions
Division 1
Millwall were crowned 2018 league champions after an absorbing win
over rivals London Tigers as Division one drew to its season
conclusion. In a match which showed many similarities to the cup
final last week, Millwall won the toss and Arif Ahmed had no
hesitation before opting to bat. This time, Millwall learnt from
last week looking a lot more aggressive, Shumon Miah hitting a
confident fifty and skipper Arif Ahmed rediscovering his earlier
league form, but he was eventually run out for 40, which sparked a
mini collapse as Millwall went from 103-2 in ten overs to 158-7 in
their allotted sixteen overs.
Once again it felt as if Millwall had fallen below par for the
pitch, but in similar fashion to the cup, the Tigers lost an early
wicket before Raihan Ahmed and Mohammed Fahad resumed the Tigers’
dominance with some aggressive batting. Fahad, who struck five fours
and a six, was beautifully bowled for thirty-three, which sparked a
collapse for the Tigers as they lost wickets in quick succession,
despite having overs in the shed. Opener Raihan returned to the
crease but his dismissal moments later for 51 sparked jubilant
celebrations by Millwall, with the league President Burt Vandermark
watching on. It was the sign-off for an impressive season for
Millwall, losing just the one league match.
Sky ended second as they defeated Rose & Crown in a low scoring
encounter. Opting to bat first Sky finished on 150 all out with
Safreez Ahmed (54) top scoring. Sean Feeney top scored for the Crown
with an aggressive 37 alongside Charlie Chalinor (33) but it wasn’t
enough as Rose & Crown fell thirty runs short at 128-5.
The Division ended with Old Fallopians seeing the season out with a
double century as they posted a whopping 206 against Regents. After
a slowish start, Suhail Shaid smashed a superb late 46. Regents
finished on 132-3 with Mark Partridge (36) top scoring.
Divison 2
Camel Lights started the week in pole position to defend their title
and ended the week giving up the defence of their title following a
tense defeat to Masiha. Brendan Cleaver (50) top scored and Andre
Davey was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-20 as Camels were bowled
out for 123. Mashia’s reply looked all but over in the first ten
minutes as in-form Sheldon Greenland and Stuart Miller both fell
cheaply with the score on six. However a dynamic partnership between
Thomas Taylor (53) and Gus MacKay (33) kept Masiha in the game.
Despite a flood of late wickets Dam Blackwell kept his head with a
crucial boundary-less innings of 15 to help Masiha to victory off
the last ball. Camels had a second game of the week forfeited on
Friday handing them a guaranteed top three place.
Expats took full advantage with a nail-biting win over Old
Fallopians 2nd XI. Opting to bat first OF made a great start with
Wasim Furqan and Matt Wake putting on 70 inside six overs. A sudden
burst of late wickets held them back with Alex Hickson taking a
double wicket final maiden to reduce the OF to 124. A simple chase?
Should have been, with the ever dangerous Alex Hickson and Ed James
putting on a confident opening partnership of 70. However when
Hickson pulled and was caught for only his second dismissal under
fifty this season, Expats lost a series of quick wickets and concern
turned to fear. With still two overs in hand, their girlfriends
cheering them on and the last batsmen Conrad Sullivan at the crease
who had only ever batted twice, the match was tense but Conrad held
his nerve to drive the ball out for a two to spark jubilant Expats
celebrations.
Crossrail saw their penultimate-ever game end with victory over
Homerton. Dan Venn’s men hit an imposing 179, with Mohammed Iqbal
hitting his second fifty of the year. League secretary Gary
Horseman’s superb twist-and-turn runout of Venn gave the league a
first: alongside his catch of Fizroz Hussain for zero, a committee
secretary removing two other committee members in the same innings
in successive balls. Sadly, the feeling didn’t last, as Crossrail
tore through the traditionally strong Homerton batting, knocking
them down for just 116 with Sagar carrying his bat for 41.
Mad Morroccas, three games behind everyone, enjoyed a comprehensive
win over Broadway. Naumann led the way with a quick-fire fifty as MM
smacked 163-3. Despite an enjoyable 44 from Shah, Broadway fell
short finishing on 134. Next up for Mad Morroccas is Victoria
Lounge, victory for the Lounge and the title is theirs. A defeat and
Expats are champions.
L&Q Living ended their debut season with victory over Pacific.
Opting to bat first L&Q hit 166-4. Pacific finished on 133, with
Mutz Siddiqui (44) top scoring.