North Middlesex 2nd XI vs Harrow 2nd XI (Away)

Saturday 18 July 2009

North Middlesex 2nd XI undertook the traditional away route via Hanger Lane to the lush surroundings of Harrow Town on an overcast mid July afternoon. The divisional leaders were looking to recover strongly from a mauling at the hands of second placed South Hampstead the previous Saturday.

Stand in skipper Holmes lost the toss and soon found himself at the wicket with fellow opener Shepherd who spanked one glorious boundary from Talib before providing the left armer with a return catch.  Nurse joined Holmes and for the second successive week looked composed against some probing seam bowling before edging a catch to second slip for a patient 27. At the other end Holmes had dropped anchor, whilst Holloway (44) looked to push the pace along with the odd boundary and his customary sharpness between the wickets. Upon the captain’s dismissal for an important 32, Mishra (promoted from no.11 in an act of captaincy by committee) smote a massive six in to the tennis courts to take the initiative from some impressively disciplined bowling by North Harrow’s spinners. Azom (12) got off the mark with a tickled four and Lake (39) looked in fine boundary finding fettle before the Mid ended their allotted 55 overs on 211/9, a total that looked competitive in the circumstances.

After a well stocked tea, the Mid knew that they had an excellent chance to secure a much needed victory. Pittman and Azom began impressively, the latter finding the edge of a Shafi which was well pouched by Shepherd at slip and Pittman winning an LBW appeal to leave the home side two down in no time. After their allotted spells, the youngsters gave way to older hands Packard and Mishra who produced an exemplary display of spin bowling on a helpful pitch. Packard ripped a big off spinner to clean bowl another Shafi in his first over, before Mishra struck via a sharp Holmes stumping in the next over. In a rather surreal twist, the oldest Shafi then proceeded to blaze Packard for 20 in one over including sending the first two balls for massive sixes. Mishra proved rather more economical, conceding just 5 runs from 9 overs whilst claiming 3 wickets including the oldest Shafi for 34. Meanwhile Packard collected the last three batsmen for ducks, to end with figures of 5/33 as the home side were rolled for just 74 in 28 overs.

The victory maintained the Mid’s position as league leaders with a slender two point cushion over South Hampstead. The batting display was a true team performance with the upper order demonstrating impressive patience to allow the lower order to take advantage of a tiring attack. The bowling was equally impressive with the seamers maintaining a full length and the spinners both regularly threatening the stumps.

Report : Nick Packard

North Middlesex 2nd XI vs Bessborough 2nd XI (Away)

Saturday 4 July 2009

North Middlesex 2nd XI travelled to the struggling Bessborough this weekend to try and increase their lead at the top of the league at the half way stage of the competition.

Skipper Tom Way once again won the toss and chose to bowl on an “interesting” wicket in variable conditions. The Bessborough openers took advantage of the fast outfield and got off to a solid start before Jake Pittman sent Irani back to the pavilion in the 5th over. Zulfi also bowled tightly for no reward at the other end but it was a magnificent 14 over spell from Irfan Tai that took control of the innings for North Midd and really put the pressure on the Bessborough batsmen. Irfan bowled tightly and soon removed opener Kakanis before picking up the wickets of Bailey and Wheeler in a spectacular double-wicket maiden that put North Midd on top. Tai was ably supported by the unfortunate Bepo Wallace (7-1-31-0) and Anthony Holloway who picked up a wicket via a bizarre stumping in the 33rd over.

After Tai’s (14-4-31-4) fourth wicket put Bessborough even further on the ropes, Pittman and Matt Dyke took over the reins and both bowled tightly. Dyke (5-2-11-2) extracted amazing bounce and turn and was simply too much for the lower order batsmen  whilst Pittman had top-scorer Patel (54) caught and bowled thanks to his so called “go-go-gadget arms”. A 20-run partnership between numbers 10 and 11 looked to frustrate the Midd but a spectacular catch from Adam Holmes, who claimed 5 dismissals, off the bowling of Pittman (11.2-2-38-3) closed the Bessborough innings at 155 all out in the 50th over.

With 10 overs to face before tea, Tom Way and Adam Holmes got the Midd off to a good start, Wayms smashing 3 fours in a row in a display of dominance on the fast outfield. However, the loss of Holmes (14) to a stumping 2 overs before the break meant there were a few nerves being swallowed alongside the delicious Bessborough tea. Indeed, the dismissal of the skipper (25) in the over after tea and a mix up which resulted in the run out of Sam Shepherd (0) left the Midd in an unfamiliar position at 49-3. However, the ever-casual Maxwell Creese started to take the fight to the Bessborough bowlers with some powerful strokes over the infield, allowing Holloway to play the holding role at the other end.

A 62-ball 56 came to an end as Maxwell was caught at 114-4 but when Holloway (17) and Azom (0) soon followed and Bepo Wallace fell for 6, North Midd were left at 128-7 and Tom Way had his proverbial “bum-squeaker”. The solid John Roberts (23*) never looked hurried and continued to guide the ball around the outfield, bringing the Midd ever closer to victory before Jake Pittman finished the game with a lofted drive, giving North Midd a close 3 wicket win. 

This win increased the lead at the top of the table to 11 points at the half way stage and puts North Midd in good stead for a big match at home against South Hampstead next weekend.

Report : Jake Pittman

North Middlesex 2nd XI vs Old Actonians CC 2nd XI (Away)

Saturday 20 June 2009

North Middlesex 2nd XI travelled to Old Actonians CC to try and maintain their strong position at the top of the table and a 7-game run of games without a loss. In overcast conditions on the typically “springy” Old Acts wicket, skipper Tom Way won the toss and put the opposition in to bat.

However, for possibly the first time this season neither Pittman nor Azom managed to make a breakthrough in their opening spells, although a simple run out did slow Old Actonians momentum down after an impressive start. The introduction of Packard (18-3-64-2) and Holloway (12-1-46-5) into the attack slowed down the run rate, with Anthony proving too quick for opener Maber and sending his stumps flying. A wicket in Matt Dyke’s (6-0-26-1) first over led to an effective 88 run partnership between Quamar and Mohamud which, as has so often been the case this year, slowed North Midd’s momentum after being in a promising position. The reintroduction of Holloway into the attack in the 44th over yielded the wicket of Mohamud for 52 before also removing Quamar in the 48th and Peters in the 50th. Some steady bowling from Packard at the other end complemented Holloway’s sheer pace whose final and 5th wicket ended the Old Actonians innings on 211 all out from 54 overs.

The Midd started their innings in a similarly impressive fashion, with skipper Tom Way picking up boundaries at will in the large outfield before being cleaned up for 24 with the score on 32. He was closely followed back to the pavilion by Sam Shepherd, who was caught at mid-on for 0. This brought Anthony Holloway to the crease who built a steady partnership with opener Adam “Sherlock” Holmes, before Sherlock fell for 30 with the Midd on 83-3. The now familiar duo of Holloway and John Roberts took the fight to the bowlers and built another solid partnership of 76 runs before the ever-impressive Roberts was L BW for 34. By now exhausted, Holloway continued to play the match-winning innings and even uncharacteristically sent balls flying in the air, over the infield to the boundary although he eventually fell to the moaning Smith for a brilliant 92 just 11 runs short of victory and it was left to Pittman and Azom to hit the winning runs and bring home a very satisfying 10 points. The victory consolidated the Midd’s position at the top of table, 2 games away from the half way point of the season.

Report : Jake Pittman

North Middlesex 2nd XI vs Wembley 2nd XI (Home)

Saturday 13 June 2009

The 2nd XI won at home against Wembley this week. The result put the team second in the league on 48 points, two points behind the leaders Edmonton after 6 games, and continues the side's promising start to the season.

In lovely sunny conditions captain Tom Way won the toss and chose to bowl first on the sort of North Midd deck he's seen many times before.

For the second week in a row Jake Pittman (6-1-1 for 13) and Irfan Tai (10-0-1 for 32) took the new ball and picked up a couple of wickets while also keeping it tight. Pittman's spell from the top end was followed up by 5 more tight overs from Zulfi Azom (0-15).

Wembley's numbers 2 and 4 batsmen did manage to put together a good partnership, batting for 24 overs for 83 runs whilst playing sensibly.

Enter, man of the hour, Matt Dyke (9-0-5 for 37) with his off spin. His first two balls disappeared to the (very) short leg-side boundary as he gave the ball some air and a good tweak. So it was brave bowling and good captaincy as Dyke continued to give the ball a chance and was rewarded with a double breakthrough in his fifth over and regular wickets thereafter. North Midd applied the pressure as Wembley collapsed from 102 for 2 to 138 all out. Dyke was supported ably by Anthony Holloway who removed the established Wembley No 4 for 46 on the way to posting figures of 8.5-0-3 for 34.

The catching of the North Midd fielders was excellent and deserves mention. Particularly Joseph James's, Holloway's and Dyke's efforts.

Wembley, defending their low total, were led by a young opening pair who put in a decent effort. However they allowed themselves to be picked off through the leg side by Way and Adam Holmes once or twice too often as they shared a partnership of 82 for the first wicket. Holmes departed to the left-arm spinner for 25. Sam Shepherd (13 not out) and Way knocked off the remaining runs after only 29 overs. Way finished on an excellent 91 not out off 103 balls after an authoritative and calm innings.

In the context of having lost 100 runs (Scott Richardson) and 5 wickets (Nick Packard) from the team that defeated Edmonton a week earlier this was a very pleasing victory and performance, particularly in the field.

Report : Adam Holmes

North Middlesex 2nd XI vs Edmonton 2nd XI (Away)

Saturday 6 June 2009

North Middlesex 2nd XI travelled to Edmonton in a vital Division three match, with the home side looking to extend their record to five successive wins and open up a serious gap at the top of the table.

Following a morning deluge, Midd skipper Way’s foresight that ‘it never rains in Edmonton’ proved remarkably true as the match was played throughout under overcast conditions without a spot of rain. Way called correctly and elected to bowl on a rock hard track that looked the proverbial road. The opening attack did not let their skipper down, with Edmonton reduced to 15/3 in the 12th over. Pittman (2/44) worked up a decent pace, constantly beating the bat and securing two wickets from genuine edges. At the other end Tai (9 – 4 – 17 – 1) bowled an impeccable line and was unlucky to gain just the one victim. No. 4 batsman Herron, missed several times throughout his innings, played watchfully at first, before taking advantage of the small leg side boundary at the expense of Azom. Holloway (2/47) removed Vishar (21) to leave the home side 37/4. Veteran Beeden (16) was content to play a supporting role to Herron, before he chipped off spinner Packard into the waiting hands of Roberts. Mushtam, who looked a very competent batsman for one so low in the order, joined Herron in adding 82 in just frenetic 14 overs. The Mid were not able to defend the boundary, nor could they cut off the singles as the field was set back and the batsmen looked to set a competitive total. Packard (5/73) finally got the breakthrough with Holmes taking a smart catch at the wicket to remove Mushtam (34) with the score on 196. Herron (116) fell in Packards next over, his fine innings ended by Richardson taking an excellent catch at long on. The tail was mopped up quickly as Edmonton set a challenging, but by no means unassailable target of 227 in 49 overs.

In contrast to the first innings of the match, the Midd built a solid foundation against an attack which seemed to pose few problems to openers Way and Richardson. Way looked untroubled, but frustrated at several dot balls, skied an attempted pull from Perpra to square leg for 49. Shepherd, promoted to no.3, joined Richardson as the opener began to cut loose. The pair provided the second successive 50 plus partnership, taking the score to 158, before Shepherd fell to skipper Dodd (1/89) for 30. Holloway (30 not out) strode to the crease, and continued the good work, even threatening to deprive his teammate of a century by taking 10 runs from Wier’s first over, with only 13 required for victory (Richardson looked on, 97 not out at the time).  Justice was served as Richardson secured the victory by driving his 10th 4 through the covers to end 103 not out. The target was reached in the 42nd over.

The 10 points gained reigned in Edmonton’s lead at the top of the table to just 2 points. The Midd put in a sound batting display for the second successive week, with the batting line up justifying all the hype, and the bowlers persevered despite favourable batting conditions. Unfortunately, the standard of catching failed once again, something that will have to be improved upon to secure the promotion the team seeks......

Report : Nick Packard

North Middlesex 2nd XI vs Harrow Town 2nd XI (Home)

Saturday 16 May 2009

North Middlesex CC 2nd XI secured 4 points in a combative encounter on Saturday against Harrow Town, which went down to the final delivery.  Played throughout under leaden skies, the match was reduced to 95 overs by a short rain break.

After losing the toss, captain for the day Ed Lake got the innings off to a steady start with opening partner Adam Holmes, the pair displaying a sound knowledge of the location of their off stump(s) against some probing seam bowling from left armer Talib (1/18) and the in-duckers of Ali. Holmes (9) edged to the keeper with the score on 25, whereupon Khan (21) and Lake conducted another watchful partnership before Lake was bowled for 25. 64/1 rapidly became 76/6 as a succession of batsmen lost their wickets to a combination of straight full bowling and undistinguished shots. Following Mahers departure at 104/8, no.10 Packard (displaying a penchant for the short leg side boundary) and Roberts set about building a productive partnership. With the fielders wilting, the pair displayed good running, whilst punishing any less distinguished deliveries, adding 51 vital runs. When Roberts departed for a well constructed 45, Dyke (11) joined Packard (42 not out) and proceeded to crunch a couple of boundaries before missing a straight one from Mohsin. Ali was the pick of the Harrow Town attack claiming 5/67, Riz (2/19) and Ammar (1/25) the other wicket takers. The score of 188 all out in the 50th over left Harrow 45 overs in which to chase the target.

Town set about the target in a brisk manner, openers Shafi (10) and Kiran both surviving sharp chances to Azom in the slips. Maher (1/19) trapped Shafi LBW before Tai (1/61) sent back Akram in a similar manner. The off-spin of Packard began to take its toll on the visitors batting as he extracted some turn and bounce. Following a bizarre passage of play involving a dead ball which went for four, Packard tossed the next ball high and disturbed Kiran’s off-stump.  Left hander Ahmed (12) played on to his stumps, the ball barely having enough momentum to disturb the bails. No. 6 Shafi dug in after an uncertain start, and gained confidence as the innings progressed. After Dyke (1/3 from 5 overs) had Patel caught, Lake shuffled his attack from the Calthorpe end.  As the match drew to an exciting conclusion, the erosion of mental arithmetic in schools since the widespread availability of electronic calculators, saw Harrow believe that they needed 154 for 4 points. Runs began to flow from Shafi (59) before he was LBW.  No.9 Mohsin was well caught behind by Edwards, amidst some consternation from Town. Last man Ali cover drove a splendid boundary in the final over to much jubilation from the visitors. Ali saw off the remaining deliveries as the innings closed on 156/9. Packard’s 6/37 in his first bowl of the season capped a fine all round match, but was ultimately not enough to procure the full 10 points.

Report : Nick Packard