THAMES VALLEY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 4A
Ruislip 149 all out
Old Merchant Taylors 150-7
OMT won by three wickets
SIMON Boardley’s half-century provided the basis of Old Merchant Taylors’ three-wicket triumph at Ruislip on Saturday.
Boardley hit 53 off 60 balls, including six fours and one thumping six, to inspire his side to victory and keep them in sight of Division 4A leaders Chesham seconds.
Ruislip won the toss and elected to bat first, which seemed like the correct decision when two of their opening three batsmen put respectable figures on the board.
But then came a middle order collapse for the hosts, who crumbled under the pressure from the deliveries of Christopher Nockels and Neil Richards, who took three wickets apiece.
Ruislip only recovered in the latter stages as tail-ender Ollie Janson’s unbeaten 26 saw them through to 149 all out in 47.3 overs.
Smelling blood, the first four OMT batsmen produced decent early hitting to put the home side under real pressure. Richard Booth (15), Sohan Modi (17), Boardley and Paul Marshall (34) put the total within touching distance and OMT swept up the remaining runs with three wickets to spare.
Elsewhere, Laurence Bensusan (98) fell just short of making his century as OMT seconds were held to a draw by Henley fourths on Saturday.
Chris Frow hit a half-century and Jonathan Vallerius bagged five wickets in OMT thirds’ Thames Valley Cricket League Division 9B stalemate with NPL Teddington.
Following their victory over Old Alleynians at Dulwich in the first round, OMT continue their Cricketer Cup Campaign with a second round tie against St Edwards Martyrs, in Oxford, on Sunday.
OMT captain Jawwad Rasheed says: “We must maintain our momentum from our first round victory at Dulwich.”
The winners are home to Harrow Wanderers or Old Cheltonians in the quarters on July 15.
