Stanmore 2nd XI 219-5 (43.5 overs)
L. Babwah 4-56
beat Southgate 2nd XI 216-5 (55 overs)
Lynch 61, Saeed 60

https://southgate.play-cricket.com/website/results/3921936

In a bottom plays top clash at Stanmore, Southgate arrived in prompt fashion and had a long and productive warm up. Skipper Jez won the toss and elected to bat.

The surface was strange with oddly long grass (“mower issues”) in places and odd barren patches in others. The new ball was doing a bit and play-and-misses were a plenty. Raj fell first, LBW, leaving one which looked slightly high. Skipper Jez joined Lynch at the crease, and they began a long and stodgy partnership to lay a platform with Jeremy eventually removed LBW for 33. Some were quick to note that this was the first time they’d seen Bob Cole raise the finger with Jez on strike. With the left arm opener’s massive opening spell coming to an end and spin coming on things got easier and Lynch and Adeel were able to accelerate with their respective methods of slog sweeping and using the feet. Both ultimately fell to their chosen method caught on the boundary for 60 each. As we batted past 50 making up for a slow start some scrambled running and fine hitting from Bellwood got us up to 216-5 in 55 overs, a score we’d have grabbed with both hands at the start versus the table toppers.

Tea was a stylish offering including chicken wings, sandwiches and delectable selection of ice creams and lollies.

Recharged, we went out with all results in play but in the knowledge they’d be unlikely to block for a draw given the league standings. Unfortunately, we did not bowl or field to our best ability with only Liam Babwah somewhere approaching his best. Jez cycled his bowlers but was unable to find control as Stanmore scored freely. A couple of good boundary catches – including a worldie from Declan kept us interested towards the end but they scrambled home with an over to spare.

A Lynch