HIghate 2nd XI

Saturday, May 15th 2004 - League

NLCC 2nd XI vs Highgate
Saturday, 15th May 2004, LEAGUE, Away

On perfect cricket conditions, of baking sun and blue skies NLCC started off their league campaign in the Middlesex Championship Division, with a narrow but deserved victory over arch rivals Highgate. Having won the toss, skipper for the day, Salman Ali won the toss and sensing some early moisture and dampness, inserted Highgate. The decision turned out to be the right one, as Richard Hall and Tom Amedee exploited the conditions by taking out the first three, ably backed up by fine catches from league debutants, Tirmazi and Fisher. With Richard Hall having bowled his allowed 7 overs for a miserly sum of runs, Zeeshan Tirmazi got in on the act, taking out Highgate's slogging number 3. with Simon Batterseby still occupying the crease NLCC knew their was still work to be done, hoever after he was adjudged LBW to skipper Ali, Highgate collapsed to 120-9. With Nlcc sensing an early victory, complancency set in and stubborn reisitance from no.s 10 & 11, took the score to 150 with one over remaining. However with skipper Ali's last over going for 25 runs, tea time was somewhat subdued as NLCC were looking at a score they did not imagine an hour ago. In reply NLCC lost openers Howard and Pederson cheaply, although Bob was some what unlucky as the Highgate umpire was already celebrating before he adjuged Bob LBW. mark Burns making his NLCC comeback soon followed as well, and the presurre was beginning to mount as the wicket was not really favouring batsman. A sign of NLCC future followed as teenagers Tirmazi and Olly Hubbard cemented the innings an began playing shots and rebuilding the innings. The partnership was broken when Hubbard was runout when looking in fine form. With Tirmazi lookin set, he chased a loopy delivery from DIick Holly's son and was well caught for 49. At 100-6 victory seemed far away, but with 16 overs to go still in reach. A valuable partnership from Toby Fisher, and skipper Ali brought NLcc within sight of victory with 31 needed off 7, however a bowling change accounted for Ali and the game was back in the balance. Well that's what Highgate thought, as Tom Amedee blasted his first delivery for six, to bring NLCC within sight of victory. Howver as all us die hard NLCC boys know we never do anything easy and the dismissal of Tom left nerves jangling on the boundary. With Toby Fisher batting with great calm and authority NLCC remained the fav's and with 3 balls left Richard Hall stroked home the winnings run to cap a fine individual performance, and give NLCC agreat start to the season.

M o M - Richard Hall - FINE BOWLING SPELL AND GREAT BALL AT THE END.

Report by: Elvis