Halfway through the league season and I’m reversing the batting order today to start with the 6s, who recorded their first on-field win of the season against Barnes 4s. We bowled them out for 115 (Alex Tilleray 4-43) and got them comfortably for 2 in 18 overs, with a stand of 112 for the second wicket between Frank Brazell (57*) and Redian Ohrey (45*).

The 5s took a losing draw from a thriller. We posted 244-8 against Actonians 5s, having put on 100 for the first wicket between skipper Sam Hall and Glayson Baptiste, a welcome 50, then slipped to 133-5 before Steve Brookes whacked an enterprising 40*. In reply they were on target most of the way, but Akshay Jain took 4 wickets, and Glayson 3 wickets and 2 catches to keep us in the hunt. They went into the last over needing 7 with two wickets in hand, but lost a wicket to the third ball and blocked out the last 3 to finish 239-9.

The 4s go top after thrashing SPLPC. We made 211-8 (Rob Fernandes 43 and Miles Dyson 51) before rolling them for 73 (Barnaby Whitehead 5-19). The 3s slip to 3rd after losing a thriller to Wycombe House. Batting first we battled to 179 thanks to 40s from skipper Jack Stansfield and Johaan Anaokar-Sorensen. But despite losing wickets regularly they squeezed home by one wicket.

The 2s lost to Harrow St Mary at HQ, posting 165 (Rhys Burke 71) but they got them for 7, despite 4 wickets to Matt Henley. The 1s got a losing draw at West Harrow and slip to 3rd in the table. West Harrow made 202 and we held on at 178-9 with skipper Leith Cowie seeing us to safety and claiming 2 important points.

On Sunday the women had a tight game against Gunnersbury, their 120 being built around Kelly Pike’s brilliant 77* and Gunnersbury only getting home with 1 over to spare. A great effort by the team against tough opposition!

The MDL team won comfortably against Ealing, restricting them to 165 in a rain-affected first innings, with Ben Hurtig-Isaac claiming 5 wickets. We then chased down for 3 with 5 overs to spare, Miles Dyson making his second 50 of the weekend, finishing unbeaten on 66. The away friendly at Ewell was rained off after about 15 overs.

The T20 side completed a dominating win on Thursday against Perivale Phoenicians. They made a decent 145 (Simon Moss 4-30) but we cruised to victory, making 146-0 in 10, unbeaten 60s to Rhys Burke and James Harris with strike rates in the 200s for both of them.

In the juniors, the U17s won on Monday against Kew to go top of their table. We chased their 135 for 3 with 50s for Lewin Husband and Dylan Barrett. The U9s are also top of the table and undefeated, after beating Ealing also on Monday.

On Wednesday the U13 Girls lost to a red-hot Richmond, but played with distinction and courage. The U13s beat Ealing, chasing down 143, 35* to Brandon Anandarajah. On Wednesday the U11s lost to South Hampstead

Tour is looming and we need more people to commit. The schedule is:
Monday July 28 Sth Devon CC
Tuesday July 29 Paignton CC
Wednesday July 30 Ottery St Mary CC
Thursday July 31 Exeter CC

Deposits are now payable – queries and bookings to Mad Dog asap, please.

Have a good week folks.

Bernard