MIDDLESEX CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO

New Calypsonians 261-5

Pinner 114-8

Match drawn

PINNER picked up their first point of the season after clinging on for a draw against New Calypsonians.

The Pinner players went into this one on the back of a disastrous start to the season following a run of three straight defeats.

That looked likely to continue here when New Calypsonians won the toss and elected to bat first in good conditions.

But Pinner kept it tight early on and were able to restrict their opponents to 134-5 after 37 overs in the heat.

Things changed when Calypsonians’ number seven entered the fray and smashed an unbeaten 93 to set Pinner the daunting task of having to chase down a 261 target.

Reaching that figure would have been tough for a team flying high at the top of the table, let alone Pinner side devoid of confidence after their poor run of form.

A positive start at the crease was imperative. Pinner’s was anything but as they slumped to 24-4 and then 42-5 as another defeat looked to be on the cards.

However, Pinner heads didn’t drop and the players kept battling.

Even when the penultimate wicket fell with a few overs to go, Pinner remained focussed and were able to hang on and stop the rot at the fourth time of asking.

The seconds also played a New Calypsonians XI, however they slipped to a defeat.

Winning the toss and inserting the opposition, Pinner never allowed them to get away as Calypsonians finished 191-9 off 52 overs with Rob Bonneywell taking 5-64.

In reply, Pinner were up against from the outset after losing three wickets for not many runs before Sy Balendran 55, Wiggins Hippolyte 20 and Rob Bonneywell 37 fought back.

But another cluster of wickets fell and Pinner were 139 all out off 38 overs.

Pinner’s Sunday side beat GWR thanks to good work from Norman Williams (pictured)and youngsters Rhys Benjamin and Yash Kahar, who took two wickets apiece.

The Sunday seconds lost by four wickets against Ickenham despite Abdul Majeed’s 81.