FRIENDLY
Northwood Town 198-8
Boxmoor 142 all out
Northwood Town win by 56 runs
NEW boys Sangeet Patel and Geet Patel made the difference for Northwood Town as they kick-started their season with an excellent win at home to Boxmoor, writes Ben Rawson-Jones.
Debutants Sangeet (50) and Geet (3-10) , as well as a superb knock of 71 from veteran opener Raj Ahluwalia, saw Town run out winners by 56 runs.
Unlike many April friendlies in recent history, this game went ahead in glorious sunshine and new club captain Michael Lister won the toss and opted to bat.
Town got off to a rocky start, losing three of the top order cheaply, but exciting new batsman Sangeet Patel joined Ahluwalia in the middle to forge an exceptional 99 partnership.
After a sensible start, the pair sent the run rate soaring with a flurry of boundaries as they both reached their half centuries to put Town in a commanding position.
Shahmeer Syed (22) unleashed some fine shots towards the end to maintain the momentum and push the team towards an intimidating total of 198 off 45 overs.
Equally positive with the ball, Town’s bowlers never let the batsman settle.
Mitesh Parmar, Geet Patel and Syed and Lister chipped in with two apiece to do the damage with the ball and clinch a first win of the season for Town.
Meanwhile, Northwood Town’s second string showed signs of promise ahead of the new season before succumbing to a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Ealing Three Bridges.
Town’s skipper Neil Cheesewright had plenty to be pleased with.
He said: “Overall I was impressed with the application and enthusiasm throughout the team, however there is still much work to do ahead of the first league game.”
