Rain disrupts play throughout leagues

Rainfall throughout the region on Saturday meant precious little cricket was played across the various leagues in and around Milton Keynes.
Rain covers were seen across the leagues on SaturdayRain covers were seen across the leagues on Saturday
Rain covers were seen across the leagues on Saturday

Only two games went ahead in Four Counties Division 1, and while Biddenham beat Elstow, Aspley Guise (146-8), playing a reduced overs game against league leaders Eaton Bray (147-8), came out second best, losing by two wickets.

They did take it to the final over though, and were five balls away from taking a draw.

There were no games played in Division 2, but in Division 3, Westcroft were able to keep up with leaders Harlington, who beat Wing with Wingrave by 69 runs, with a win of their own against Whitchurch.

Jalil Sear was in excellent form for Westcroft on his way to figures of 4-19 as the home side failed to reach three figures, bowled out for 99.

The reply got off to a shaky start though with four wickets quickly falling for Westcroft.

Zaheer Khan (39 not out) and Hafeez Rehman (31 not out) steadied the ship though and guided Westcroft to a vital six wicket win to climb into the top two, 28 points behind leaders Harlington.

In Division 5, four wickets for Ben Riches helped New Bradwell 2nds to victory over Soulbury Village.

Riches took 4-16 as the home side found a gap in the clouds to bowl out Soulbury for 85.

In reply, New Bradwell never looking in trouble, despite losing four wickets, easily reaching 89-4 in 21 overs to claim victory.

Anup Ghosh batted superbly or Milton Keynes 2nds as they crushed Eggington Foresters 2nds.

Ghosh hit an unbeaten 119 from the top of the order to guide his side to 226-7 in their reduced 37 overs.

Although Munib Khan hit 54 for Eggington, Navshan Nakhwa’s 4-21 helped MK to a comfortable 69-run victory as Foresters were bowled out for 157.

In Division 6, Aspley Guise 2nds undid their good work in the first innings with a poor batting display against Caddington 2nds.

Matt Bird took 4-9 to bowl out Caddington for 118, but a horror show with the bat saw Aspley Guise all out for just 40.

In Division 7, Daniel Pieterse smashed 101 not out for New City 3rds but they could only draw with Ivinghoe & Pitstone 2nds.

Setting 232-9, thanks to Pieterse’s excellent knock, stubborn batting from the home side ensured they held on for a share of the points, much to New City’s frustration.

>> There was precious little play in the Cherwell League on Saturday.

Great Brickhill’s Division 1 home game against Twyford was abandoned, as was Wolverton’s away game to Oxford 2nds.

There was no play between Great Brickhill 2nds and Blewbury & Wallingford in Division 3, between Bletchley Town and Witney Mills in Division 4 and in the Division 7 clash between Wolverton 2nds and Shipton-under-Wychwood 3rds.