MTSSC 3rd XI vs Ealing 4th XI

Ealing 4th XI traveled out to Harrow to play Middlesex Tamils Social & Sports Club (MTSSC) 3rd XI at the Post Office ground. Looking forward to following up last weeks win against Wembley with another victory.

With the opposition running late, we were wondering if we were at the right ground but there captain arrived 25 mins before the start time and Ealing lost the toss and were put into bowl. Luckily we would have bowled anyways on a green wicket.

Bosworth and M.Rattan opened the bowling and beat the bat at least 30 times in the first 10 overs with the ball swinging and the pitch having variable bounce when the ball was pitched outside the off stump. Manraj took the wicket of the opening bat and the opposition were only on 30 after the first 12 overs. A tight start, and unlucky not to take anymore wickets.

After a brief break for a helicopter to land next to the pitch, Patel and Chowdhury took over with the latter taking 2 wickets and Patel bowling smartly kept the runs ticking over slowly. Holbe came on to bowl some off spin and was unlucky to not take a wicket when the opener was dropped at mid on by Patel. We were struggling to make a breakthrough with Rattan bowling at the other end.

Bosworth and M.Rattan came back on with Bosworth bowing economically but not taking a wicket, Patel replaced Bosworth and then Rattan took 3 more wickets with Patel taking 1 in the last over. Leaving Ealing chasing 211 to win of 45 overs

Ealing 4th XI chasing 211 to win, with a good chance of victory, could we do it?

Dillegh and S.Rattan opened the bowling and started well getting to 45/0 when a dubious decision lead to Rattans dismissal for 6. Dillegh carried on the fight getting 47, unlucky to get out to a back of a length ball that stayed low. Ollie Simpson scored 19 before being bowled by there spinner,we lost a couple of quick wickets with Brown bowled for 3, Siddiqui LBW for 13, Islam LBW for 12 and Chowdhury stumped on 2.

Holbe came into bat at 8 with Bosworth at 9 with the scores 129/7 and 13 overs to go. Bosworth scored a streaky 10 bowled with the scores at 157/8 Patel walked out and we were left with an uphill battle needing 54 to win the last 5.

Then Holbe took off hitting 3 overs for 11,12 and 11 (plus a couple of wides) with able support by Patel. 9 Needed off the last over to win, Holbe hit the first ball for 4, 2 singles and a 2! scores level one to win off 2 balls.

But we couldn't get the last run, a great recovery to win 5 points from a losing position, with Holbe finishing 47 not out.

With a loss, 2 wins and a tie ealing are sitting 4th in the league with 25 points not too shabby! I sign off for a 3 week holiday. Steven Brown is taking over in my absence, good luck next week against Ickenham at home.