Cricket round-up June 24 - Sorry Wolves lack bite as relegation fears grow
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Cherwell League
Division Two
WOLVERTON'S season in the second tier is turning into something of a nightmare as they sit firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and, even at this early stage, looking odds on for a return to Division Three.
Of course their hopes of cementing their place in the second division received a blow before a ball had even been bowled thanks to a 50-point deduction for an incident at the end of last season.
But even without that penalty Wolverton would still remain deep in trouble and level on points with second from bottom Twyford on 56 points. The season had started quite encouragingly with an early victory away at Abingdon Vale an unexpected bonus. But scoring runs has been the biggest problem, and one that on Saturday cost them a fourth defeat from their first seven games.
Long Marston were the latest side to take maximum points from Wolves this term as they left Osborne Street with an emphatic 10-wicket victory.
The visitors won the toss and asked Wolverton to bat first, The usually reliable Jake Yeo opened but his poor run of form continued, while epitomising Wolves' plight, as he was out first ball.
Things went from bad to worse when Sean Potter followed a few balls later, also for a duck, and suddenly the hosts were staring another big defeat in the face.
Charlie Maw steadied the innings with a well made 41 with contributions coming from Aky Hussain (17) and Atif Akhlaq (16). But a trail of single figure scores occupied the rest of the batting card as Wolverton crashed to 100 all out with Peter Toovey claiming a devastating 5-33 for Long Marston in the Wolves demise.
Scoring runs hasn't been a problem for Marston and it was going to take something extraordinary for them to fail to reach their winning target. The writing was on the wall straight away as openers Robinson (36 not out) and Bowles (67 not out) quickly fired off the necessary runs to give their side the points which sees them climb to third place in the table.
For Wolves the battle goes on. Relegation isn't a certainty yet, but they will need to start picking up points fast, starting with a must win trip to fellow strugglers Twyford this Saturday.
Division One
BLETCHLEY Town suffered a double setback on their trip to Oxford II. Not only did they go down by 60 runs, but they also lost their talismanic all-rounder James Sprittles to a nasty looking broken finger which is likely to keep him out for a considerable part of the rest of the season.
Things began well enough on the day for Town when James Clark won the toss and inserted Oxford. Hoping to emulate last week's victory over Cumnor, Roberts and Sprittles created a few near misses before Mehmood smashed a ball back to Sprittles who in trying to make a fierce return catch saw the ball smash his middle finger back forcing him to leave the field.
This left Bletchley having to field with 10 men for 48 overs which they did with great credit. But with Bletchley sitting second off the bottom of the pile, this slice of bad luck couldn't have come at a worse time.
Roberts was the first to make the breakthrough when after a couple of near misses he snared Barrett caught behind. Bletchley were struggling to make inroads though and turned to the off spin of Tom Joraslafsky, who picked up a wicket in his third over when he had Mehmood caught on the boundary for a charmed 47.
But the cold conditions contributed to Bletchley dropping him three times in his innings, and this was arguably crucial as he set Oxford up for a good total. Joraslafsky was in a good rhythm and he and Simpson had restricted the home side to 114-5. The hosts came fighting back, mainly due to the efforts of number seven Mark Sheehan, who played a counter-attacking innings on his way to an unbeaten 52.
Despite Wasim Fayyaz applying the breaks with a good spell on his return to the side, the visitors passed the 200-mark. Joraslafsky combined with Ward to dismiss Geeson-Brown, to bring up the Aussie's first five-wicket haul for Bletchley. Joraslafsky was the pick of the bowlers taking 5-77 as the home side closed on 212-8.
Bletchley felt confident they could chase the total down despite only having 10 men, and set about the reply in attacking style. However, with the score on 24, Simpson managed to divert a ball that was going well down the leg side off his boot and onto the stumps for 11. And Kerry Hollis was next to go when he was trapped lbw for just one, turning the tide in Oxford's favour.
Bletchley were doing fairly well with Amir Hussain looking in good touch, before a top-order collapse handed the initiative completely to Oxford. The introduction of promising seamer Geeson-Brown saw him reduce Bletchley from 66-2 to 90-6 in just six overs. Hussain was amongst those as he departed for an attractive 41 in just 37 balls; but the rest of the top order struggled against his height and trajectory in the blustery conditions.
Clark and James Ward looked as if they'd weathered the storm until Clark played on for nine, and even Mark Roberts (17) looked untroubled before he too managed to be bowled off his bat and pad as Bletchley's final hopes evaporated.
Ward was unbeaten on 36 and played with real purpose, but he ran out of partners as Bletchley were all out for 152 in just the 35th over. For Oxford, Geeson-Brown did the damage with 4-38, and Australian Brad Sutherland took 3-14 as Bletchley suffered a disappointing defeat.
High-flying Shipton visit Manor Fields on Saturday and will provide another stern test for a Town side starting to look over their shoulder a bit anxiously.
Division Three
GREAT Brickhill are starting to look good for another promotion push after they brushed aside bottom side Kingston Bagpuize by seven wickets to extend their unbeaten start to the season to seven games.
Brickhill skipper Morgan won the toss and opted to bowl first - a decision which paid off as Pete Hastings struck early, bowling with good pace and movement.
He soon struck again and, with Tweed bowling tightly from the opposite end, the Kingston score had crawled to 30-2 from 16 overs. Doug Aris and Lee Morgan were brought into the attack and carried on the good work. Wickets were being taken at regular intervals while the visiting batsmen attempted in vain to use up as many overs as possible.
Having collected two wickets, Aris was replaced by Hastings, and with the away side nine down, Hastings removed the last man with his second ball. This left Hastings with superb figures of 4-16 from 11 overs, while Morgan returned figures of 4-27 from 12, as Kingston were dismissed for 108 from 42 overs.
In reply Arran Aris started in typically aggressive fashion and the scoreboard started to tick. Liam Rice was providing good support but the partnership was broken as Aris hooked a ball to fine leg, where a good catch was taken. To their credit the Kingston bowlers took their opportunity to tighten things up as the run rate began to fall.
Carter was adjudged lbw, and when Rice fell for a patient 25 it was left to Adam Boad and Doug Aris to steady the ship. There were no further scares as Boad recorded a solid 14 not out and Aris finished with a brisk 25 not out, the victory coming in the 26th over.
Division Six
WOLVERTON 2nds took advantage of a trip to basement boys Cumnor 3rds to record a second win of the season by 90 runs. Cumnor won the toss and put the visitors in to bat. And things started well for the side still searching for a win this season as Matt Chammings was bowled in the third over of the innings for four and was quickly followed by Kabir Arif for the same score.
Roger Garrini (23) and Tony Baker (32) worked hard for their 61 partnership and to set up the rest of the innings for Wolverton as they got back on track.
An aggressive 47 from Steve Barnes saw the momentum go with Wolves as they ended up 175 all out, setting the home side a target they were unlikely to make.
After tea Cumnor started the chase and were greeted by Sam Murphy and Steve King with the new ball. Murphy came under pressure going at seven an over, but soon bounced back when he picked up the wicket of opener and top scorer Hunter for 38. King picked up two wickets in an impressively tight spell of bowling and suddenly the hosts were staring down the barrel.
Wolverton continued to chip away at the Cumnor batting line up with Glenn Dickinson picking up 2-13 off his nine overs, but it was left to a devastating spell from the left arm of Richard Hogston to seal the victory as he tore through the lower order picking up 4-18 and leaving Cumnor skittled for 85.
Northants League
Premier Division
STONY Stratford's fourth defeat of what's been a nightmare start to the season has seen them slip to the foot of the Northants Premier Division after nine games.
And while there is plenty of time for Stony to pull away from the danger zone, it was the manner of their defeat against table toppers Peterborough Town rather than the actual result which will worry them most.
From the moment stand in skipper Dion Ebrahim lost the toss and was asked to bat first on a green, seaming wicket, things went wrong for Stony. As has so often been the case this season, scoring runs proved tough for the visitors, particularly against the wily Ajaz Akhtar bowling in helpful conditions.
After losing three quick wickets, including that of in form Garth Davson and Ebrahim for nine each, Stony's middle order were unable to find any substance. Akhtar made life tough for the Stony batsmen, claiming 5-43 from 17 top class overs, and only Paul West and Simon Myatt - who each scored 24 - offered much resistance.
But wickets tumbled at regular intervals and with the run rate not much more than a trickle, Stony were seriously struggling against the league's in form side. In the end, a paltry total of just 124 was never seriously going to be enough and Peterborough made short work of reaching their target.
With wickets in hand and plenty of time to get the runs, their was little pressure on Peterborough openers Kartik Sunderam and David Clarke, and they cut loose.
They both smashed the ball to all parts with each of the five Stony bowlers used coming in for punishment. The two openers both fell just shy of half centuries, with Chris Guy and Ebrahim getting the wickets to fall. But this was to be just a minor blip for the hosts who well and truly outclassed Stony as they reached their target inside 20 overs.
Last season Stony won at Peterborough having posted well over 220, which just goes to show how things have turned sour for them since last season. They still have some top class cricketers in the side and are more than capable of going on a winning run, but they will need to do this soon if they are to avoid spending the second half of the summer fighting against relegation.
Division Three
STONY 2nds also struggled in their game against their Peterborough counterparts, but in the end managed to hang on for a draw. But having led the division from day one, a run of four games without a win has seen them fall to back to second place behind Peterborough.
Batting first, the visitors racked up 212-5 as Neil Allen bowled impressively again for Stony taking 3-48. Stony's reply got off to a positive start with openers Steve Wharton and Steve Underdown putting on 52 inside 12 overs, before Wharton fell for 28.
Underdown soon followed for 25 and this prompted a dramatic collapse from Stony. The home side lost their next seven wickets for just 87 runs as only skipper Chris Swain managed some resistance with 33. It was left to last pair Richard Lines (10) and Dave Avery (2) to see their side through, nine wickets down, for a share of the spoils.
Division Six
THERE was better luck for Stony 3rds who comfortably defeated Weekley and Warkton 2nds by five wickets at Great Linford. Weekley were rushed out for just 111 with Neil Fewtrell running through their order with a fantastic 5-26. There were also three wickets for Oswin Peter.
Stony only had one win to their name but they doubled that tally inside 27 overs. James Bell the main man with the bat, clubbing 62 to take his side over the line to stay seventh in the table.
Four Counties League
Division One
BOTTOM team Aspley Guise were not too likely to be a match for league leaders New Bradwell who already look unstoppable on their quest for the title, making it seven wins from nine league games to stretch their lead at the top.
Batting first Aspley were done and dusted for just 113 as Bradwell's Harry Singh (4-8) and Nadeem Aftab (3-16) tore through their line-up like a warm knife through butter.
Simon Smithers (31) and David Quick (31) did their best to set the table toppers a half decent target, but their efforts were undone by Asim Hussein (58 not out) and Alan Quelch (43) who made light work of getting Bradwell home for the loss of one wicket.
Cublington are the nearest challenge to Bradwell's superiority as they went second with an unexpected win over in form Milton Keynes City. Cubs raced to a score of 245-4 and the city side had no answer as they fell all out for 102, thanks to Jon Waugh (4-33).
Newport Pagnell continue to struggle near the foot of the table but can at least take some heart from a valiant run chase against Elstow. James Mead (38) and John Braddy (36) brought Newport within eight runs of victory after Elstow had set them a target of 194. James Fletcher (4-28) was in fine form - he also added 25 runs to a good afternoon's work - but his side fell just short on 187 to keep them third from bottom.
North Crawley (153-5) were the top tier's other big winners after they brushed aside Biddenham (149-9) by five wickets to move third in the table. The other game saw Eaton Bray (224-9) take most of the points from their game against Studham (142-5).
Division Two
MILTON Keynes are currently the team to beat after they cemented their place at the top with victory over New City (MK). Kaushik Sankara (64) and Grant Ebrahim (57) got Milton Keynes on the way to a score of 213 before Dan Ramsell (4-8) and Craig Gentleman (4-11) reduced New City to just 73 in reply, winning by 140 runs.
Old Bradwell are currently another of the form sides and they moved third thanks to a 73-run win over Buckland & Aston Clinton who are dropping fast. Bradwell had given them a chance with their total of 151, but a collapse to 78 saw Buckland beaten.
Shenley Church End are on the way up, a three-wicket victory over second placed Caddington their best result of the season. Craig Hills (64) got Caddington off to a good start as they totalled 218-7, but they hadn't bargained for Shenley's Anton De Beer who blasted off 126 - more than half of what his side needed for victory in reaching 220-7. The other Division Two fixture saw Olney Town (236-9) earn a winning draw against Stewkley Vicarage (152-9).
Division Three
NEW Bradwell 2nds are starting to follow after their first team as they cruised to a 158-run win over Open University to climb to third in the table. Batting first Bradwell had Joel Langley (86 not out), Allen Bridgeman (57) and Ben Richens (46) to thank as they reached 263 for the loss of seven wickets before OU fell to just 105, Dave Little doing the damage as he returned figures of 3-10.
Graham Sear's excellent opening stand of 70 was all in vain as his Stoke Hammond side lost a fairly high scoring game to North Crawley by five wickets. Amit Patel also weighed in with 56 to help Stoke make a decent 215. But Crawley were in fine form with the bat themselves as Paul Mitford (84) and Max Waker (63 not out) guided them to 216-5 for what looks a comfortable victory.
Elsewhere MK City 2nds (171) suffered a five wicket defeat to Cublington 2nds (211-5) and Wilden (114-2) beat Drayton Parslow (113) by eight runs. Willen (90) felt the force of the leaders as Eggington Foresters (180-9) won by 90 runs. But credit goes to Olney's Robbie Whittaker who stood out with his 4-34.
Division Four
OLD Bradwell 2nds (111-4) were winners by six wickets over Newport Pagnell (107) with Kevin Wijesinghe (45 not out) in good form with the bat before returning 3-6 with the ball.
Leaders Totternhoe (140-7) suffered a surprise losing draw at the hands of Tring Park (189-6) while Harlington (227-7) and Printers (154-4) also shared the points.
Division Five
AN understrength Stony Stratford 4ths were hammered by 245 runs at Eggington Foresters 2nds. The home side blasted an incredible 315-6 in just 44 overs and then bowled poor Stony out for just 70 in reply, although that still wasn't enough to take Foresters above league leaders Olney who didn't have a game.
Elsewhere Milton Keynes 2nds secured a dramatic single run success over New City (MK) 2nds. Batting first Milton Keynes hit 111-7 before New City fell agonisingly short despite the best efforts of Raj Tailor (25). The other game saw Elstow (216-7) see off Wing (215-9) by three wickets.
Division Six
WOLVERTON Town 3rds continued their promotion push with a comprehensive nine wicket defeat of Bletchley Town who remain stuck at the wrong end of the table. Bletchley started well after being asked to bat first, Jude Ramadapulle (49) helping them to 80 without loss before the Wolves began to fight back.
A smart run out from Gillions and Grant saw Ramadapulle on his way and the rest of the side didn't seem to have an answer to the Wolverton bowling as they crashed to 121 all out with Boddie Arthur picking up 4-21 and Neil Day 4-43.
Darran Gillions and Chris Wade started the run chase for Wolves. Gillions found himself out in the third over to a ball that popped off the shoulder of his bat to the fielder at point, but that was as good as it got for Bletchley.
Despite some tenacious work from their bowlers, Arthur added 66 not out to his four wickets and Chris Wade finished on 26 not out as Wolverton cruised home. Crawley Green Nomads (273-4) are the nearest challengers to Wolverton and they took the majority of the points against the 3rds of Great Brickhill (222-5) for whom Tristan Hardy hit a tidy 67 not out.
MK Midweek League
Premier Division
SPEEDLINE Warriors (115-1) recorded a nine wicket win against MK Overseas (114-9) as Shehzad Malik starred on 81 not out after Tanveer Sikander did the damage with 3-20.
Wolverton (143-7) beat Shenley Church End (142-8) by three wickets thanks mostly to impressive knocks from Aky Hussain (41) and Sean Potter (32). Shenley had started well with Anton De Beer adding another half century to his season's tally as Zaheer Khan took 2-25 and Iqrar Mahmood the same.
MK Azad (87 all out) went down to MK City (88-5) by five wickets with David Breuilly in good form on 27 not out after Naeem Shahzad (33) and Nadeem Aftab (26) were the only two to make double figures for an out of sorts Azad.
Division One
DENBIGH Hall Sports (82 all out) lost out by 73 runs to Abbey National (155-5) and there was a comfortable 57-run win for Bletchley Town (133-6) against New Bradwell (76 all out). In the other game Open University hit 166-6 to beat MK Azad 2nds (166-9) to win by having lost fewer wickets.
Friendly Cricket
Duncombe Challenge Cup
GREAT Brickhill hosted a Twenty/20 night against a Four Counties League Select side, including the likes of Temor Alam, Stewart Phillipson, Wes Hosking and Gary Ellerton.
Brickhill took wickets at regular intervals and only Hoskins (42) and Jason Loveland (35) got going as they were restricted to 132-8, Doug Aris bowled 3-15. In reply Arran Aris (18) was the only man to fall as Brickhill cruised to victory with Garth Davson doing the business on 65 not out.
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -6 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
