MIDDLESEX COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
Shepherd’s Bush 224-7
Harrow St Mary’s 151-6
Losing draw for Harrow St Mary’s
TOM Pettet helped Harrow St Mary’s salvage a losing draw on Saturday.
Pettet arrived at the crease with his team in dire straits before knocking an unbeaten 47 to secure a point for the Saints.
HSM won the toss and elected to field, with bowlers Haran Dharamaraja and Ajay Soni leading the attack.
But it was not until the 19th over that St Mary’s were able to claim their first wicket.
With Shepherd’s Bush on 58, Sam Dishon was caught by Tinashe Chimbambo for 24 off an edge from Harmeet Singh.
A strong appeal from Soni in the next over was turned down but then an lbw appeal by Singh was given, sending number three James Watkins back to the pavilion without scoring.
Bush’s third wicket fell in the next over, when Alex Mitchell was out for 23, caught by Kunj Thakkar off the bowling of Aalok Soni.
Harrow St Mary’s hopes that this flurry of wickets would spell the end of Bush were dashed when Aaron Johnson, who only dealt in boundaries, escaped three close calls to remain at the crease.
Johnson picked up an injury in the 29th, resulting in a runner being brought on, forcing the batsman to continue with his policy of long-range drives.
He reached his half century three overs later, getting lucky with an unfortunate slip by Chimbambo.
Another 20 overs had passed, and a partnership of 125 built by Shepherd’s Bush, before HSM got another wicket. This time it was Thomson Bryan, caught by Gary Pettet off Dharmaraja’s bowling for 31.
Johnson reached his century in the 44th but was caught in the same over by Blennerhasset for 103, finishing a fine partnership.
Number six Miles Illingworth was then bowled by Dharmaraja, attempting to do a scoop shot round his legs, and then Sam Howell was caught by Thakkar running in from deep square leg.
A few overs had been lost to rain and a declaration after 48 overs with Bush on 224-7 left HSM 48 of their own to pick up the pieces.
Saints opened with Singh and Nisanth Selvakumar and they continued with their habit of losing early wickets.
Selvakumar failed to get off the mark, Singh could only manage one and Chimbambo hit four before Pettet entered the fray.
And it was Pettet, who finished unbeaten on 47, with Ajay Soni, caught by Dishon for 61, who steadied the ship.
The duo put some much-needed runs on the board and Pettet’s longevity, ending the innings with dad Gary, who saw his team home for a share of the spoils.
? Zac Sheather’s 81 not out fired HSM seconds to a winning draw against Alexandra Park. The thirds beat Winchmore Hill but the fourths’ game was postponed.
Harrow, who also play in Division Two, lost by four wickets to Brentham.
