Sunday 25 April 2021 Paulin Ground, Winchmore Hill
WINCHMORE HILL TIGERS 222-9 lost to HARROWDENE 223-7 by 3 wickets
A superb unbeaten century by visiting batsman Brown denied the Tigers victory after they had recovered from a poor start to post a decent target of 222, thanks to some boisterous late-order hitting from David Marion in a last wicket undefeated stand of 55 with wicket-keeper Phil Parr.
Winning the toss on a bright but chilly afternoon, the Tigers batted poorly early doors against some steady bowling, and it wasn’t until Emile Nawagumuwa and Aghill Ganeshalingam (surely a commentator’s nightmare!) came together at 50-4 in the thirteenth over that the innings accrued much substance, with a positive partnership of 64 in 10 overs. Emile continued his stylish form from last week with 49 (64 balls, 8 fours) whilst Aghill adopted some sensible aggression with good defence in his 32 from 35, including 5 fours and a six.
The outlook appeared bleak when both departed by the 25th over at 121-6, but Marion paced his innings perfectly to hit 73 not out from 58 balls with 13 fours and a maximum, as the last three wickets added 90, with 59 runs accumulating from the final five overs.
History testifies that the Tigers are not often successful defending a big total on the front pitch and, despite a few younger legs in the field, were to struggle again. Fireball Campbell Lloyd-Barnes made an early breakthrough, but thereafter the attack laboured as Elstone and Brown racked up a brisk 72 for the second wicket. Aghill defended the tennis court boundary with much athleticism and Marion (4-46) chipped away at the other batsman, but Brown, particularly strong on his leg stump, could not be defeated.
It appeared a tight finish might be on the cards when Harrowdene still needed 29 from the last 5 overs with only three wickets in hand, but Brown (122 not out) took control from this point to win the match with two overs to spare.
Nevertheless, the race is hotting up on the Winchmore Hill wicket-takers ladder, with both David and Campbell bagging five more each over the weekend, leaving them level at the top with 12 apiece after just two weekend’s cricket.
Winchmore Hill Tigers 