MIDDLESEX COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION TWO

Brondesbury 218 all out

Harrow St Mary’s 219-5

Harrow St Mary’s won by five wickets

BHAVIK Patel staked his claim for a regular Harrow St Mary’s first-team spot by ripping apart league leaders Brondesbury.

Patel has been plying his trade with the thirds this season but was called up to the ranks of the firsts due to injuries.

The bowler bagged an incredible eight-wicket haul to knock Brondesbury off top spot in Division Two and put himself in the frame for this weekend’s trip to Brentham.

HSM captain Gary Pettet went into the clash hoping to take something from a Brondesbury side that had put together a run of four straight wins heading into this one.

When Brondesbury won the toss and chose to bat, forcing Saints to field under the heat of the sun, it was expected that the leaders would claim another 10 points.

But Nishil Patel struck early, getting out opener Hugh Gimber for one in his fifth over to give HSM hope.

Number two James Overy and three Simon Butler had other ideas though. After 15 overs they were 83 for the loss of one wicket and looked to be heading for a hefty score.

Having replaced Nishil Patel, Aalok Soni was joined by Bhavik Patel and the two spinners continued together for 37 overs.

Soni had expected to be targeted by the Brondesbury batsmen but they made the mistake of trying to attack Patel and he claimed his first wicket in his fifth.

In the next 12 that he was to bowl, a further seven batsmen fell to his mesmerising left arm spin, finishing with figures of 8-65.

Brondesbury were all out in the 45th for 218.

In reply, Pettet again decided to lead from the front but he did not get any support from his partner, nor the next two in, and HSM found themselves in the all too familiar position of being 30-3.

Pettet played a mature and patient innings and, supported by Kunj Thakkar, he reached his 50 in the 29th, with the score on 105.

He only survived a further three overs before being bowled lbw for 56. He was replaced by son, Tom.

Thakkar reached his 50 and HSM needed 70 from 17 before he too was out in the mid-50s (55).

Sam Blennerhassett entered with Saints needing 59 off 13 overs, which was achieved with three to spare and Pettet on 37 and Blennerhassett on 40 to take HSM to fifth position.

The win coincided with HSM’s annual Chairman’s Day, with guests including past members and president Derek Falconer, who all watched the events unfold.

Elsewhere, St Mary’s seconds were defeated by Birbeck College, despite U17 star Dhiren DeSilva hitting 85 runs.

Jarryd Thompson (51) and Zac Sheather (51) both made half-centuries as HSM thirds saw off Wembley.

Harrow St Mary’s fourths, made up largely of young Colts stars, managed a winning draw against Wembley fifths.