EASTCOTE were slain by a Middlesex star-studded cast when they played host to champions and current league leaders Ealing at Southill Lane on Saturday.
Chris Peploe produced a match winning individual performance of 62 with the bat followed by seven for 34 with the ball, and was ably supported by Ned Eckersley's contribution of 57 not out as Ealing posted an imposing 287 for five.
In response, Eastcote could only muster 162 all out as the middle order succumbed to the Peploe magic. After winning the toss the home side asked Ealing to bat first and the visitors obliged with something of an onslaught as they raced to 64 in 11 overs, before debutant Mat Savage took an easy catch to send Patel (42) back to the pavilion.
Runs then dried up as Savage bowled an impressive and economical seven over spell. Goodchild and Lotay persevered and were rewarded with the score at lunch a respectable 126 for three.
After the interval, however, the onslaught was always coming. The loss of Holt (24) only served to bring out Eckersley (57 not out) and he and Peploe tore into the Eastcote bowling. Even the loss of Peploe (62) did not stem the flow as Khan (32 not out) continued in similar vein. They declared after 61 overs and Eastcote had a mighty task on their hands.
Scollay and Sagoo started brightly as the seamers ran in, the score reached 50 in the 12th over before Sagoo (14) was dismissed.
Then the Eastcote walls came tumbling down around Scollay's ears. The Australian had to single-handedly hold the fort as Chris Peploe wove his spell, James (2) was deceived by the spin, Rossington's scalp was taken by sharp close field catching and captain Coleman was adjudged leg before - the first of a remarkable three decisions that went the Middlesex star's way. With the score suddenly 71 for four the feeling of the match changed.
Jivan Lotay batted well with Scollay for a while to take the score on to 109 before he fell to Patel at the other end. By now, Scollay was cruising and Eastcote's hopes were not vanquished, but when he holed out on the boundary going for one six too many the game was up and at 146 for six the shutters needed to come down.
Peploe had other ideas though, and he tore through the Eastcote tail to leave the home side 162 all out and no points for their labours.
