Eastcote 248-7 (4pts) drew with Stanmore 175-8 (1pts)

TERRIFIC Tom Scollay dominated the game as Eastcote outplayed Stanmore on Saturday but had to settle for a winning draw in Division One of the Middlesex Premier UXB_CRICKET League.

The opening batsman, who hails from Alice Springs butlearnt his craft in Perth, Western Australia, showed all his class on the way to his second century in five innings as he helped Eastcote amass 248 for seven.

Not content with that, he then claimed five wickets to almost bowl his side to victory but in the end Stanmore escaped, denying Eastcote the chance to go second in the table instead of remaining in fourth.

Hosts Stanmore invited Eastcote to bat and Scollay and Jivan Lotay duly saw off the early pace to take to the score to 54 before Lotay was run out for 19, attempting one quick single too many.

Harpal Sagoo came to the middle but by now Scollay was in imperious form and he dominated a fine part-nership of 97 before Sagoo fell for a solid 26, with the score up to 151 for two.

Scollay meanwhile, breezed into three figures before eventually being run out for a magnificent 110, one more than he managed on his debut against the current league leaders Teddington, having taken his league total to 240 at an average of 42.

Club stalwart David Goodchild then took command, clubbing his way to 36 with capable support from Mahrouf Choudhury (15) and Chris James (20 not out), before Eastcote declared their innings on a sporting 248 for seven from 62 overs.

Stanmore began their reply ominouslywell, racing past 50 as the Eastcote bowlers struggled to find their range and it was only when Scollay was thrown the ball that the visitors broke through.

The Aussie's spin soon accounted for Steven Mehra (33), Eastcote old boy Omar Anwar (16) and Hamish McCarthy to reduce the home side to 117 for three, yet Stanmore kept the scoreboard ticking along and for a while East-cote were beginning to wonder if their declaration had been over generous.

However, when Lotay removed the other opener, danger man Umesh Valjee (69) and then Shalin Amin (11), Stanmore had slumped to 146 for five and their hopes of victory began to wane.

Soon after Scollay trapped Niraj Jadav (1) leg before to make it 155 for six, bringing Chulananda De Silva (21) to the crease and after a short burst of aggressive hitting he too fell to Lotay (3-48) and at 175 for seven the shutters came down.

Mark Reingold (10) gave Scollay (5-69 from 22 overs) his fifth scalp to cap a remarkable day but despite the visitors crowding the bat for the final five overs, Richard Black and Dipesh Jadav played with determination and straight bats to hold out for a draw.