Once again, Chris Sowton has pulled out into an early lead. Martin Thompson is MVP of the week so far with his unbeaten 100, though Sunday’s league game is still to be loaded, watch this space (or, more accurately, the stat tables on the website that follows…)
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The 2nd team quickly put the first weeks damp squib behind them on a equally soggy S&M outfield. A good toss to lose was followed by a good opening spell from Sharad Patel, removing both openers cheaply. A seemingly dehydrated Sags kept the middle order in check with a tight spell alongside 2 wickets for Simon Stuart. Some late order hitting was kept to a minimum by 4 quick wickets between Patel and Corns. Ashford posting 126 all out. Sharad recording an excellent 10-5-20-4 return. In reply 3 early wickets for the visitors set a few nerves jangling, until Neil Shah and Blob came together and at first settled the ship and then set about making short work of the chase. Neil in particular punishing of any bad ball from Ashford’s bowlers. 126 was in the end comfortably reached in the 27th over. Shah with an 86 ball 78. A good ten points but still a few areas to improve on to get the 2’s playing promotion cricket. (P Corns)
2nd X1 League position – 4th / 10
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4th X1 League Position – 6th / 10
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Cancelled – rain
5th X1 League position – 5th / 10
Sunday
The first Sunday league game was definitely one to remember for many good reasons, even if the result suggests otherwise. Kirk De Ruyter and Dan Ellis’ opening stand a brilliant platform as they put on a total of 160 odd with some brutal hitting from Smeagal and some sensible batting from Senor Ellis. This meant all the other batsmen could come in and play aggressively with Neil “panther” shah, Shareef “Nintendo” Hassan and Jack Thomas could come in and guide us to a formidable 312 for 4 off 40 overs. At half time the home side were relaxed and to our detriment already believed we had the game in the bag, which in all fairness should have been the case.
The EKTA openers started off in attack mode as they had to, with the run rate required was more than 8 an over. After some close umpiring calls, poor fielding and long handle batting they were meeting the rate without losing too many wickets. Most of the runs were coming from one end, and with 100 needed of 10 overs and realistically just needing to get the attacking opener out the game was in the balance. After dropping him 4/5 times and having him caught off a no-ball it seemed inevitable that he would see the oppo home, and that is what happened in the last over. The reason why we lost the game was due to complacency, dropping off heads and poor fielding. This was a harsh lesson for S&M but I’m sure everyone is as eager as myself to put things right in the next league game, and stamp our authority in the league.
In conclusion to this fiery, and at times ill-tempered game, I would like to thank everyone for the effort they put in on Sunday, as there are only a few tweaks needed to make us a force to be reckoned with. (S Mehta)
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The Sunday 2’s lost by 9 wickets to Oakhill Taverners.
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The first Ladies game was disappointingly conceded by Lingfield – who were unable to put out a side.
This weekends games:
Saturday
1st X1 away to Chipstead, Coulsdon & Walcountians
2nd X1 home to Thames Ditton
3rd X1 home to Chertsey
4th X1 away to Wimbledon
5th X1 away to Catford Wanderers
Sunday
1st X1 home to Hobgoblin Nomads
2nd X1 home to Winds & The Willows
Dan