MIDDLESEX CHAMPIONSHIP CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Old Lyonians 128 all out
Bessborough CC 119 all out
Old Lyonians won by nine runs
BESSBOROUGH’S batsmen failed to capitalise on a strong bowling performance as they fell nine runs short of a low total set by near neighbours Old Lyonians.
Captain Danny Hawes won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision which looked sound as the attack took early wickets with opening batsman Haroon Ashfaq out for a duck.
In fact, only Jay Prakash (21) and Usman Khan, with what turned out to be a match-winning knock of 80, managed double-digit scores as Old Lyonians were all out for 128 after 35.5 overs.
All four Borough bowlers had success with spinner Rohan Karkhanis the pick with figures of 4-45, although Ian Barrie’s 3-29 was also impressive.
In reply, only Karkhanis managed a score over 20 with the bat for Bessborough and when Vinay Bhudia was run out it was all over for the visitors.
The defeat means that Bessborough sit joint fourth in the table.
Elsewhere, it was a similar story for Bessborough’s seconds, who bowled out opponents Hornsey for 181 in 51 overs but only mustered 141 in reply. Satjeet Chana made the only batting contribution of note with 37 not out.
The thirds were the only Bessborough side to secure the maximum 10 points from their encounter away to Old Actonians thirds, winning by 139 runs.
James Wheeler (61), returning from a recent arm break, and Gajan Gandhi (71) put on an opening partnership of 125 that was the bedrock of the 237-strong innings.
After that it was the Thanuja Bandara show as the Borough captain finished with an astonishing 8-19 from 12 overs.
The fourths lost out by a single run in a thriller against Old Actonians who made 173 all out.
