Champions avoid opening day defeat

Alex Walker’s side won the toss and opted to field, though the weather restricted the match to 33 over aside.

Eaton Bray put on 187-5, thanks to James Flecknell’s unbeaten 75, but the real problems came with the bat as the champions crumbled.

With the league’s top scorer Walker only hitting 18, Crawley’s top scorer, the champions limped to 84-9, just holding on for a draw.

Milton Keynes hit top spot after beating 10 man New Bradwell. MK’s Kaushik Sunkara top scored with 47 on their way to 186, with Jude Ramadanpulle and Harry Singh getting three wickets apiece for Bradwell.

New Bradwell made solid progress with the bat though, but one man light they ended coming up short on 131-9, with Brian Tompkins and Nimesh Chavda taking three wickets each.

Olney Town’s Josh Selvey took an excellent 5-44 as he helped his side to a three wicket victory over Elstow.

Selvey’s fifer restricted Elstow to 118 all out, and though Olney stuttered in their reply, they reached 119-7 to take victory.

In Division 2, Printers (153) cruised to victory over Open University (78) as Razzan Mohamed taking an excellent 4-13.

North Crawley 2nds (139) lost to Bromham (166), despite Rajah Thangartnam’s 6-23.

In Division 3, Shenley Church End (124) won a dramatic game with Whitchurch (116) to win by eight runs. Westcroft (222-6) had it much easier though as they beat Ivinghoe & Pitstone (103), with Iqbal John hitting 106 not out and Andrew John’s 72.

MK Warriors lost their opening game in Division 4 against Wilden. Hafiz Furqan Saeed took 4-27 as they held Wilden to 138-8, but came up short with the bat, skittled for 125.

North Crawley 3rds (45-2) made light work of New Bradwell 2nds (43-8), while Great Brickhill 3rds (277-5) were held to a draw by Stewkley (236-6).

In Division 6, MK City 2nds (207-9) beat Newport Pagnell 2nds (161), while in Division 7, Great Brickhill 4ths (94-3) beat Ivinghoe & Pitstone 2nds (93), Westcroft 2nds (54-8) beat Wing with Wingrave 2nds (53) and Wolverton 3rds (170-8) drew with Printers 2nds (190-8).