WEEKEND REVIEW - APRIL 25-26
By Simon Heaney
Saturday 25 April 2015
FRIENDLY
Old Actonians CC 1st XI 211-7 (40 overs)
Bessborough CC 1st XI 195 all out (38.4 overs)
Old Actonians won by 16 runs
FRIENDLY
Bessborough CC 2nd XI 64 all out (29 overs)
Old Actonians CC 2nd XI 244-7 (40 overs)
Old Actonians won by 180 runs
Sunday 26 April 2015
ROYAL LONDON CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Bessborough CC Sunday XI 222-8 (45 overs)
Harpenden CC 235-9 (44.5 overs)
Harpenden won by 13 runs
Kush heroics in vain as Bessborough exit cup
Despite a sublime century from Kushal Patel (pictured) Bessborough fell at the first hurdle of the Royal London Club Championship, losing a close encounter with Harpenden on Sunday.
On an overcast day at Headstone Manor the visitors from Hertfordshire won the toss and elected to bat. Making the most of the helpful bowling conditions Jay Chavda (2-59) bagged two early wickets of Oliver Tuck (4) and Scott Galloway (1) thanks to catches from big brother Sherrick and Phil Bush. When Jay’s new ball partner Sharuban “KP” Kanthasamy (1-35) caught and bowled Harpenden’s number one bat Nick Reeves (17) the away side were in a spot of bother at 45-3.
There followed an excellent 96-run partnership between Harpenden skipper Jake Pankhurst (94) and keeper Harry Josephs (40) to bring the score to 141 before third team vice-captain Sahil Hathi (2-18) slowed the momentum with two quick wickets of Josephs and Jack Killen (2). The unmoved Pankhurst and new partner Guy Watts (40) then added another 87 runs before a remarkable last over when new all-rounder Gihan Pallage (4-33) claimed four wickets to restrict Harpenden to 235-9.
Bessborough’s response got off to a solid enough start with Kushal Patel (128) and Ishan Shah (7) putting on 34 before Shah departed. Shiv Patel (5) was another early victim but at the other end Kushal was in fluent mode and along with Sherrick Chavda (23) he helped put the home side in a reasonably strong position of 119-3.
Following the exit of Chavda, Bessborough struggled to put together lasting partnerships although for as long as Kushal remained at the crease they were still in the game. Needing about 7.5 runs per over heading into the final 10 the home side fell 13 runs short of the chase, ending on 222-8 from 45 overs. Kushal’s fine innings of 128 was made in 132 balls with 10x4s and 3x6s.
Harpenden go on to play Shepherds Bush in the second round of the competition.
The cup exit capped off a disappointing weekend of cricket for the Borough as two under-strength sides lost both friendlies against Old Actonians. The “1s” came up just short of their 212-run target, being dismissed for 195 with eight balls remaining. Stand-in skipper Ramesh Gunalan with 3-17 and 44 runs lead by example, while KP (2-33) put in another good bowling performances. On the batting front Sanil Shah (37) and Shiv Patel (45) showed some form. Colt Jamie Young, who played a clutch of senior games last season for the 3s and 4s, more than held his own against stronger opposition with a confident 22.
The least said about the second XI’s 180-run mauling the better, although in mitigation it was more of an experimental squad side in action.
Next week there are two friendlies against Harrow CC for the 1s and 2s, while the 3s and 4s do battle against one another. On Sunday we take on Winchmore Hill in the next round of the Middlesex Cup. As always please make sure to add your availabilities to the website before Tuesday 6pm if you want to be considered for any of these games.
Bessborough CC 2015 Fantasy League - Week 2 MVPs
- Kushal Patel 178 points
- Ramesh Gunalan 99 points
- Gihan Pallage 95 points