MIDDLESEX CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO

New Calypsonians 168 all out

Pinner 169-7

Pinner won by 3 wickets

Mohen Noori starred with bat and ball as Pinner chalked up a first league win of the season at home to New Calypsonians on Saturday.

Noori ripped the guts out of the visitors’ top order in favourable conditions after a delayed start and despite a half century from former Sussex ace Carlos Remy batting at No 10 New Calypsonians were restricted to 168.

The all-rounder then led the run chase with a half century of his own as despite a few wobbles the hosts got home with three wickets and five overs in hand.

Noori’s opening spell was explosive as he took 3-18 in five over to leave New Calysonians reeling at 26-5.

A fight-back occurred in a stand of 65, but with Abdul Majeed (3-60) also among the wickets the visitors were floundering again at 101-8 before Remy put bat to ball to give his side a fighting chance.

Pinner lost an early wicket but Mehfooz Khan’s 47 saw them handily placed at 85-2 before two quick wickets put the game back in the balance.

It was left to Noori (60) to seize the initiative once more helped by a defiant Ian Ridley who batted 60 balls for an unbeaten 8 not out as they shared a stand of 73.

The half-centurion’s dismissal cued another mini collapse, but Mudassar Abbasi hit the last five runs to see Pinner to that precious first win, putting them in good heart for the derby clash with West Harrow next week.

Meanwhile the club’s U15 colts finally beat the weather to score a 38-run win over Lohanna CC in their MCA Division 5 league clash.

Victory was built on a second successive opening stand of more than 100 by Ramith Samarasingh and Nevan O’Sullivan.

The latter finally perished having hit 47 in 43 balls, but wicketkeeper Samarasingh carried his bat through the 20 overs for 63 not out as Pinner posted an imposing 145-2.

Lohana opener Rahill hit 51 off 68 balls in reply but new-boy Malachy McGovern (2-12) took two wickets in two balls to put the hosts firmly in charge.

There was no hat-trick but with Sagar Patel (0-11) also proving difficult to score off Lohana were kept at arms’ length, finishing on 107-4.