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Week 7 - First XI recover from 58 for 5 to chase down Shepherd Bush total of 254 thanks to 200 Partnership between Alex McQueen and Tom Nicoll.

Week 7 - First XI recover from 58 for 5 to chase down Shepherd Bush total of 254 thanks to 200 Partnership between Alex McQueen and Tom Nicoll.

Richard Nicoll17 Jun 2018 - 15:18
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3s also win; 2s, 4s and 5s draw. Centuries for McQueen, Will Nicoll, Pittman

"Proper cricket that, win the toss on a good deck and take the initiative"
- Rev Andy Saunders on John Mills' decision to bat f


Match Reports for 16th Jun 2018

North Midd 1st XI vs Shepherds Bush (Away)
Shepherd's Bush 254 all out from 64.3 overs
North Middlesex 258-5 from 46.5 overs
North Midd won by 5 wickets

After last week's disappointment against Richmond, we needed a win away at Shepherd's Bush to keep the dream of winning the Premier League alive. We lost the toss and were invited to bowl. Skipper Hughes did the bulk of the work finishing with 4-44 from his 19 overs. Luke Hollman bowled beautifully initially and then a fine second spell to finish with 4-63 from 14.3. There was a wicket apiece for Hugh Teesdale (1-31) and Tom Nicoll (1-36). We rallied brilliantly in the final 10 overs, they went from 228-5 to 255 all out. A competitive score but one which flattered a little on a decent deck and a quick outfield.

It was imperative to get through the new ball relatively unscathed. Things didn't go to plan and we were quickly 18-4 with in form Luke Hollman (back to back centuries in the last 2 Prem games) out for a duck. Immediately after tea things were looking really bad at 58-5.

This brought together Alex MacQueen (on right in picture) and Tom Nicoll (on left) .
They saw off the Bush’s quick and were watchful at first against a plethora of off-spin. Then the fun started. MacQueen was savage on anything over-pitched or short, hitting 5 sixes and 13 fours on his way to a fine unbeaten 118 off 133. Tommy was particularly strong through extra cover and straight on his way to a run-a-ball 88, including 12 fours and 2 sixes. They batted with a sense of calm and authority and put on exactly 200 together in a highly impressive and entertaining partnership. This is likely to be a league record partnership for the 6th wicket, a much deserved accolade for an extraordinary performance. A massive and crucial win for our boys. On to Teddington next week.

North Midd 2nd XI vs Twickenham (Home)
North Midd 297-7 off 49 overs
Twickenham 167-7 off 54 overs
North Midd Winning Draw (5 points)

Skipper Millsy won the toss and opted to bat. This was met with approval by the Reverend Saunders: "Proper cricket that, win the toss on a good deck and take the initiative". And how gloriously that initiative was taken (for the first three hours at least). The start was shakey. Zulfi, a touch delirious from having not slept for 36 hours, decided to try and whip one from off-stump through square leg. A cart-wheeling off stump perhaps not the result he was looking for. Shirls (Adam Holmes) got an unplayable grobbler, short and wide became low and straight to trap him in front. Oli Tikare arrived at the crease having survived a whole year up North and duly unfurled a resplendent cover drive off his first ball.

That set the tone for a lovely partnership between Tikkers and Torch (Will Nicoll) who raced along at five an over without breaking a sweat. So much so that a leisurely/confused stroll between the wickets for an easy two resulted in Tikare run out. Cat (John Mills) kicked his first one then tried to hit the next two out the ground. With Mills scoring twelve consecutive singles in what must surely be a personal record. In an attempt to increase the run rate, Millsy selflessly plinked one to short third man to bring Bomber Max Harris to the crease. And boy did he bomb. Seven in total. Five in a row off a poor, unsuspecting off-spinner. For most of the last ten overs, Twickenham opted for the classic every man on the boundary approach. So it was a real joy to see the ball continuing to sail over their heads. Incredible scenes. Meanwhile, Torch continued to compile a chanceless hundred at the other end. A fantastic knock that laid the groundwork for us to reach 297 from 49.

Being the fine sportsman that we are, we even declared an over early to make a game of it. Twickenham spent the next 55 overs blocking the life out of it. Lowey picked up a lovely caught and bowled. Benny rattled the poles and the Man with the Midas Touch burgled one off a full bunger. The fourth wicket partnership mustered 60 runs from 30 overs as we tried everything under the sun to dismiss them: from hitting them plumb in front to catches just out of grasp, things didn't go our way. Belzy returned for a beautiful second spell which broke the game open for the last five. Benny steaming down the hill picked a couple more, with Zulf taking an absolute screamer in the grippers. They finished 140-7. We probably needed a couple more with the new ball and a bit of luck through the middle to make the difference. A frustrating day out but ultimately a very good performance: near perfect with the bat and quality with the ball.

North Midd 3rd XI vs Teddington (Home)
Teddington 133/10 from 35 overs
North Midd 136/3 from 19.2 overs (Nick Friend 60 not out; Tom Barrow 55 not out)
North Midd win by seven wickets


North Midd 4th XI vs Harrow St. Marys (Home)

Kyle Pittman 100 plus not out – third consecutive hundred
North Midd winning draw


North Midd 5th XI vs Edmonton (Away)
Edmonton 248 all out 49 0vers
North Midd 174 for 6 (43 overs) (Arjun Gole 52; Tom Greenhalgh 47 not out)
North Midd losing draw – 2 points

Further reading