SOUTHGATE 216-5 (55 overs)
MTSCC 159 all out (40.5 overs)
Southgate won the toss and batted, and for once Mikey Stevens (16) failed with the bat (he was to contribute later), and at 45-1 James Murray was joined by Jamie Jouning. The pair added 78 for the second wicket against a good all round bowling attack but Jouning (30) could not resist the shortish straight boundaries for long, and was well caught at long off. Murray, one of many Kiwis making cricketing news over the weekend, continued, and really dominated the rest of the Southgate innings, with some help from Phil Dunnett (13) and Matt Stratton (13). Slowing down a little as he reached his century Murray finally arrived at his maiden first team league century in 175 balls, and was mainly responsible for Southgate’s final total of 216.
A really splendid innings by James in only his third first team league match.
Captain Edrich elected to use all his 55 overs, as although it was not a great wicket, the boundaries were quite small and there was a fast outfield.
Southgate made a great start, with Michael Stevens and Darragh Edwards proving once again their worth as an opening bowling attack, and at 87-6 MTSCC were in a losing situation. David Woffinden (2-40) and Ravi Desai, offered slower bowling alternatives, but on this occasion were unable to stem the flow of the MTSCC seventh wicket pair, who were able to take the score to 123 before being parted. The returning Edwards induced a nick, which arrived at some speed to Jouning at slip who held a fine catch above his head, and the partnership was broken.
The home side’s captain arrived at number nine, and appeared to be about six places lower than he ought to have been. He was able to steer his side to 155 before being clean bowled by Edwards, who finished with figures of 2-31. Stevens took the ninth wicket (6-37), and the final wicket too, which was one of six catches held by a Southgate side at the top of their game in the field.
Six wins in seven games has taken Southgate to third place, just one point behind second placed Wembley, with Uxbridge probably out of reach, at the top.
Next two games?
Uxbridge at home and then Wembley away!
Peter Jouning