Cricket round-up June 17 - Stony finally back on track
Everything you need to know about the local cricket scene
Northants League
Premier Division
A much improved performance almost saw Stony Stratford record their first win of the season on Saturday. However, they had to settle for a winning draw in the end after what ended up a very tight game against a strong Rushden Town side at Ostlers Lane.
Steve Bellew won the toss for the hosts and on a worn wicket decided to give his batsmen first use on a surface that would get harder to bat on as the day went on.
Stony were indebted to a fine knock from Dion Ebrahim whose 80 proved the bedrock upon which Stony posted a reasonably competitive total of 185-9. Opener Garth Davson went lbw to Jake Higginbottom who swung the ball back in regularly and bowled a fine opening spell of 15 overs for the loss of just 40 runs.
Fellow opener Mihir Choksi looked assured and hit some fine looking shots all around the wicket and looked set for a big score until he followed a wide ball from Aqab Ahmed and nicked it to slip for 34.
There wasn't too much joy for any of the other Stony batsmen other than Ebrahim, who cruised to 50 with a trademark flick of his legs and looked well and truly back to his imperious best. Chris Bolton (14), Jarrod Pretorius (17) and Simon Myatt (11) all got starts but couldn't go on any further as Stony struggled to 152-6 from 48 overs.
By this point Ebrahim was running out of partners and began to take a few risks in his attempt to push the score on late in the innings. He reversed swept Mudasser Hussain a number of times but in the end found Tom Russell behind the corner to fall for 80.
Last pair Chris Guy (5*) and Andy Humphries (5*) both made sure the home side batted out their overs and reached a score of 185-9. Gareth Griffiths' occasional off spin was rewarded with figures of 3-23 and it capped a good bowling performance from the visiting Rushden side.
Against a powerful batting side, Stony needed to pull out their best bowling and fielding performance of the season to stand a chance - and that's exactly what they did, particularly in the first 30 overs.
Habib Ullah started things off for Stony, bowling with good pace and movement and his extra pace surprised opener Tom Russell as he gloved a catch behind to Pretorius to depart for 10. The same bowler accounted for fellow opener Tom West for 10 and the wickets began to tumble.
Stony's fielding was exemplary early on and with the wicket getting slower, catches in front of the wicket rather than behind were always more likely.
And so it was as Chris Guy benefited from two athletic catches from skipper Bellew at short cover. First, the confident Jasper Davies drove a full ball to Bellew's right, only for the Stony man to fling himself full length and take a one-handed catch to spark big celebrations from vibrant a now Stony.
Mohammed Hussain, probably the most destructive player in the league, was next to go in almost identical fashion - this time Bellew getting both hands to another diving effort as Rushden slumped to 53-4.
When Bellew replaced Ullah things got even better for Stony as he trapped both Sam Fowler and Mudasser lbw for ducks to leave the visitors reeling on 58-6. But if Stony thought they had the game wrapped up, they were wrong, as Rushden skipper Griffiths and all-rounder Higginbottom had other ideas.
The pair put on a fine stand of 89 to take the score to 147 with 10 overs still remaining. At this point the game had turned on it's head and Stony looked as if they were going to grab defeat from the jaws of victory.
However, when Bellew came back on and immediately had Higginbottom caught by Chris Bolton for an excellent 59, the game was in the balance again. Simon Myatt then produced an excellent spell of left arm spin, taking 2-30 from 11 overs. Aqab is always dangerous down the order but perished to a simple catch by Choksi at cover off Myatt, who then had Tom Firm caught at mid-off by Richard Scott for five.
Griffiths, still unbeaten, decided to shut up shop with 16 needed from two overs, and the last pair survived a couple of hairy moments to claim a share of the spoils in what was a great game of cricket. The result means Stony now sit third off the bottom of the table, but have Wellingborough Town and Burton Latimer hot on their heels ahead of this weekend's trip to league leaders Peterborough Town.
Division Three
After a run of two successive defeats, Stony 2nds also returned to form with a winning draw at their Rushden counterparts.
Batting first Stony managed 201-8 in 50 overs having been 120-7 at one point. They were indebted to fine knocks down the order from Callum Price (38), Jamie Baxter (45) and Neil Allen (32).
On a wicket that was actually very tough to score on due to very low bounce, 201 was a good total and so it proved as Rushden never made much of an attempt to reach their total.
Opening bowlers Dave Avery and George Humphries were the main reason for this as they took all nine wickets to fall between them, Humphries finishing with a well deserved 5-24. Stony had six overs at Rushden's last pair but were unable to grab the final wicket and so had to settle for a winning draw, keeping them second in the table just behind Peterborough.
Division Six
After two promotions in the last three seasons, Stony 3rds are finding life in the third tier an altogether tougher proposition.
They fell to a second defeat of the season at Kettering 2nds and with only one win so far they find themselves at the opposite end of the table to what they are used to.
Batting first Stony could only muster 119 all out as the top order was decimated by David York (3-17) and Andy McGranaghan (2-6). Only a late flurry from Ahmed Amin got Stony above the 100 mark.
It was never going to be enough though, despite a brave effort from Stony in the field. After Michael Brown had taken two early wickets, young paceman Andrew Ellemore's 3-24 put real pressure on the home side. But they managed to get over the line for a loss of seven wickets inside 47 overs. Stony now sit with their head just above water but a relegation battle is on the cards.
NCL Twenty/20 Cup
Stony pulled off something of an upset in the first round of the NCL Twenty/20 Cup by knocking out last year's beaten finalists Old Northamptonians at Ostlers Lane on Tuesday night.
Asked to field first by visiting captain and Northants all rounder David Willey, Stony restricted the visitors to 131-8. Steve Bellew grabbed the prized wicket of Willey in the second over as he was caught behind for only two and Stony bowled and fielded tightly all evening.
There were two wickets apiece for Dave Avery and Andy Humphries, with Bellew also finishing with two wickets to add to two run outs. And Stony cantered home in reply thanks to two excellent knocks from openers Garth Davson and Dion Ebrahim.
Davson smashed the ball to all parts to reach a rapid half century before finally being yorked by Willey for 60. Ebrahim remained unbeaten at the end on 50 as Stony reached their target in 18 overs and for the loss of two wickets as they go into the hat for round two later this month.
Cherwell League
Division One
Bletchley Town celebrated their first win of the season with a two-wicket success against high-flying Cumnor at Manor Fields in another close encounter.
With league games throwing up close finishes in nearly every fixture, it was no surprise that this match was the same, although this time it brought what was a well deserved victory for Bletchley in the end.
James Clark won the toss and had no hesitation in asking Cumnor to open the batting. The visitors, who occupy third position in the table, started comfortably as Lee and Nielson appeared to see off the home team's attack putting on a stand of 56.
It wasn't until the 17th over when Bletchley struck, when Clark got his reward as Nielson mistimed a drive to cover where Ed Fountaine was waiting to take the catch.
With the next ball Graham Simpson, who had come on at the rugby ground end, bowled Lee with his first delivery. And he struck again in the next over by trapping Farmer lbw before Clark dismissed Douglas to leave Cumnor on 62-4. Bletchley had wrestled the advantage away from the visitors and were bowling tightly to Cook and Jones, conceding just five runs in an 11 over spell through the mid-way point.
Tom Joraslafsky replaced Simpson and immediately made an impact as Cumnor skipper Jones was smartly stumped down the leg side by James Ward, the score now on 89-5.
A stand of 41 between Adam Cook, who top scored with 42, and Ayaz Khan - whose 21 included three towering sixes - gave Cumnor hope. However, with the score on 130, Sprittles returned to replace Clark (2-33 from 15 overs) and trapped dangerman Cook lbw, before Joraslafsky picked up the wicket of Khan who smashed a full toss straight down Ed Packard's throat at deep mid-wicket.
Sprittles and Packard then cleaned up the tail as Cumnor were all out for 147 in the 47th over. Sprittles took 3-33, with two wickets apiece coming from Clark, Simpson and Joraslafsky.
Bletchley knew it would not be easy, but started purposefully enough adding 38 for the first wicket until Ed Fountaine, promoted up the order to open, was out-thought when he clipped the ball to short fine leg for 10.
And worse was to follow when in-form Simpson was yorked by Miell for 27, leaving Bletchley now 44-2. Joraslafsky (15) and Kenroy Hollis (13) both got starts, but were both out as Cumnor fought hard. When Packard was unluckily dismissed, Bletchley were in trouble at 71-5. Amir Hussain (9) was playing a more patient innings before he was the victim of a superb piece of fielding by Khan and was run out, Bletchley on 96-6.
Sprittles, in at seven in partnership with Clark, set about carefully chasing down the winning target. Sprittles looked particularly comfortable at the crease and played some excellent shots all round the wicket and took Bletchley to the brink of victory. But with just eight needed Sprittles was bowled by Khan for a match-winning 42.
And when Mark Grass followed two balls later, the alarm bells started to ring. However, Clark (16 not out) shepherded his team home with James Ward, who stroked a majestic four through the covers to see Town home with five overs to spare.
Bletchley travel to Oxford on Saturday and will be hoping to build on this success as they sit second bottom of the pile.
Division Two
Bottom side Wolverton made the journey to Banbury in search of some much needed points, but were out of luck, going down to a five-wicket defeat.
The hosts won the toss and asked Wolves to bat. Jake Yeo and Kieran Lampard opened the batting and the former found himself back in the pavilion a ball later as Brooks made the earliest of breakthroughs.
Michael Baker came and went without troubling the scores and Wolverton were in early trouble. Lampard made 12 before he was dismissed and then Hussain and Potter sought to stabilise the innings. A well made 34 from Hussain and Potter chipping in with 28 saw Wolverton recover from 3-2 to 71-3 before Potter was dismissed.
Charlie Maw added another 25 to the Wolves total before he too was removed. Paul and James Hill had done the damage taking three wickets each in the innings which saw Wolverton make it to 151 before being all out in the 50th over.
With the opening pair of Sabin and Tew at the crease Banbury started the chase. Baker handed the new ball to Gosling and Malik and they set about restricting them with some very tight opening bowling.
Malik struck in the eighth over to remove Sabin and Gosling in the 11th to send Tew back to the pavilion. Rorich followed very quickly as Malik claimed his second wicket. A solid innings from Smith saw him end on 52 not out, Wright made a fine 41 before being dismissed by Lampard but by that time Banbury were all but home. A well struck four from the bat of James Hill saw the hosts take a comfortable victory.
Division Three
Great Brickhill have enjoyed their start to life in the third tier and when they travelled to Bledlow Ridge recorded an emphatic nine-wicket victory.
Having won the toss the home captain opted to bat first on what looked to be a dry, slow surface. The new ball pairing of Hastings and Austen bowled superbly but somehow the opening batsmen survived.
While riding their luck in the early stages, a stand of 81 was recorded in 26 overs until the breakthrough was provided by Nick Tweed. This sparked a collapse as he and Doug Aris started to apply the pressure.
Bledlow were soon reduced to 120-7 and an early finish was on the cards. However an eighth wicket stand added some valuable runs as the lower order batsmen managed to take the score to 140.
They were undone by the introduction of Graeme Carter as the last three wickets quickly fell, leaving the home side all out for 146 from 50 overs. Tweed was the pick of the bowlers with 4-24 and was backed up superbly by Aris (4-42) and Carter (2-10).
In reply Aris and Liam Rice started in positive fashion as the runs began to flow, and by the time Aris fell for an aggressive 37 Brickhill had reached 76 from just 14 overs. Rice continued with his business as Carter joined him to offer great support.
The Tasmanian soon brought up his half century and the pair continued to dominate the bowling as Brickhill crossed the line in only the 23rd over, Rice finishing unbeaten on 75 and Carter 25.
Four Counties League
Division One
New Bradwell are still sitting pretty at the top of the table after Eaton Bray became their latest victims in a 54-run thrashing.
Faheem Aftab (48) and Temoor Alam (38) got Bradwell off to a flying start with the bat as they recorded 191-9 in another trademark scoring display, with Nick Pearson (5-43) the only man to cut them short.
And struggling Bray never really stood a chance, although James Flecknell put in a valiant effort on his way to a decent 35. In the end Harry Singh (5-21) proved to be the difference between the sides as he ripped through the line-up in devastating fashion, leaving Bray all out for 137.
Elsewhere there were victories for North Crawley (128-3) who thrashed Aspley Guise (124) by seven wickets, Cublington (262-7) who saw off poor Studham (30) by 232 runs, while Elstow (211-8) shared the points with Biddenham (189-8).
Division Two
Olney Town have been showing signs of improvement and they recorded their first win of the season in style by 93 runs away at early pace-setters Buckland and Aston Clinton.
The visitors might have feared the worst when they tumbled for 149, but an incredible bowling display saw them turn the tables on Buckland and dismiss them for just 56 in reply, lifting Olney up to third from bottom.
At the top end of the table Milton Keynes (263-7) continue to lead the way after they comfortably beat Milton Bryan (97) by 166 runs while Shenley Church End got back on track with a derby winning draw over New City (MK).
Batting first Shenley totalled (229-5) as Anton DeBeer did what he does best and hit a superb 94 not out, supported well by both Colin Wayman (44) and Mike Rogers (39), although City's Lal Patel (5-23) did his best to slow their flow of runs with an excellent spell.
In reply Jay Singadia (65) enjoyed a good innings but support was lacking and Arshad Mahmood (3-22) helped cut City short with just 164-9, giving them something to show for their day's work.
Old Bradwell's encouraging start to the campaign hit a wall when they came up against an in-form Cranfield University side and lost by four wickets. No fewer than seven Bradwell batsmen made double figures, Rob Felce (34), Manoj Gosai (32) and Jason Hardy (32) - batting at number seven - the pick of the bunch as they totalled (178-9), while Rajeev Verma returned 4-25.
But second placed Cranfield are made of strong stuff this term and unfazed they went about their business in typically capable fashion, number three Rahul Rajashekar hitting what proved a match winning 71 unbeaten to see his side on their way.
Dinesh Ranga (30) also stepped up to the plate after seeing openers Vijay Shetty (14) and Manish Verma (24) fall earlier, Greg Poulter (4-48) offering the only real telling attack for Bradwell. The other game in the second tier saw a six-wicket success for Caddington (128-4) over Stewkley Vicarage (127).
Division Three
Willen have been asking all the question in Divison Three this season, but they were brought back down to earth with a bump when they took on Cublington 2nds and fell by six wickets.
The leaders were having an off day with the bat although a score of 160 still gave them something to defend. But hold out they couldn't as the visitors cruised to a winning total 161-4 to go third in the table.
After a poor start New Bradwell 2nds are on the up, they were victors over Drayton Parslow by 67 runs to see them climb to fifth place.
Batting first Bradwell were in typically free-scoring form, Allen Bridgeman's 103 the highlight in an innings which also saw Carl Ward make 55 and Andy Overton 32. Drayton eventually fell short on 191, but only after decent efforts from Dave Luxon (55) and Barry Norman 44.
MK City picked up a much needed winning draw when they faced high-flying Open University and the two sides made over 520 runs between them in one of the best games of the season to date.
City's innings was certainly eventful to say the least as a huge unbeaten effort from opener Jin Lall got them going. His 89 was followed by 68 from Chris Bovington, 34 off the bat of Dave Loveland and a brilliant 32 from number nine batsman Sanka Edirisinghe as they recorded a daunting 280-8.
Their score would have been even greater were it not for some excellent fielding from OU, Andy Barnard taking two super catches and Adnan Zulfiqar executed a direct hit to pull off a stunning run out.
But whatever Lall could do Tom Richens could do better as he smashed 110 not out to guide OU to a score of 235-4 in reply, Ivan Parkin coming in at number six and joining Richens unbeaten at the crease on 76.
Elsewhere Stoke Hammond (96) were hit with a shock 64-run defeat to Eggington Foresters (160-9) while North Crawley (101) and Wilden (101) tied their game.
Division Four
Newport Pagnell 2nds (205-6) lost out to Eaton Bray (206-5) by five wickets, and Old Bradwell (147-8) held on for a share of the spils against Ivinghoe & Pitstone (195).
Division Five
Milton Keynes 2nds (133-5) beat Milton Bryan (132) by five wickets, Stony Stratford 4ths (170-6) earned a winning draw against New City (106-9), and Olney 2nds (123-1) beat Elstow 2nds (122) by nine wickets.
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -6 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
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