Not every week can be like last week, but there were some cheering elements of this weekend’s cricket.

On Saturday the 1s lost to Actonians, but fortunately Brentham also lost, so we retain an 18 point lead over them with three games to go.

The 2s saw the second thriller in consecutive weeks at HQ. The 2s made 165 against league-leaders Winchmore Hill, and they went into the last over needing 4 to win, with the last pair at the crease. Up stepped Jim Robertshaw, and they took 3 runs off the first 3 balls to leave scores level – only for Jim to get the last wicket with the fourth ball, leaving the match tied. Five points each leaves us 5th with still an outside chance of promotion. Victory against Kenton next week a must.

The 3s lost to less than sporting opposition in Bessborough. They made 288-9, which proved too much for us, despite Sai Bhatia’s brilliant 91. We finished on 234, and are now 5th, but still only 7 points behind 2nd.

The 4s had a comfortable win, featuring the first half of a success story for the Chairman’s wider family. We batted first against Teddington and racked up 261-5, the Chairman making 59 in a stand of 127 for the second wicket with nephew Joe Gilmour, who went on to raise his maiden century, finishing on 112*. We bowled them out for 142, with four wickets apiece to Barny Whitehead and Haseeb Shahid. The 4s rise to 5th, and although promotion is already decided in this division, we are still in the hunt for 3rd.

Meanwhile, the other two Gilmour brothers were together in the 5s, and batting at 8 and 9 raised 49 for the 8th wicket, Ollie going on to reach his maiden 50 by hitting the last ball of the innings for 4. (There was also a 40 to Sam Hall, following up his 4 wickets last week.) Wycombe House were bowled out for 115 – Charlie Harris 5-15 – and the 5s stay second by 3 points.

The 6s were on a bye week, recovering from winning last week.

On Sunday, we had two home games, at HQ and Kings House. At KH we had a high-scoring loss to Red Square Lions, Zach Fry making 108 in our 236-5, and they chased them with three balls to spare. At HQ we drew with Sonning, after they made 268 (Henry Husband 5 wickets) and we batted out to 220-8, Nav Malik 59*.

I have information for Finals Day of the T20 tournament. It is at Brentham on Monday 26 August (Bank Holiday Monday), with the first semi-final pitting us against Brentham at 10.30am, with the final at 4.30. Would be great to get some support down there for the team, so do please get there if you can.

Another date for your diary is the Senior Presention Evening, which will be at HQ on Friday 27 September. More information to follow but please save the date.

Have a great week and thanks to everyone who played this week.
Bernard