Stanmore Hold On - Just!

This was always going to be a tough assignment against a strong Stanmore side, for a Wembley team missing man of the season so far Rahul.Stanmore batted well putting our bowlers through their paces on the hottest day of the year so far. Reaching a total of 271 - 7 off their 45 overs. As with the week before dropped catches were the theme of the day for Wembley in the field. However unlike last week, we were punished for them and had to chase down 70 more than we were hoping to, but we gave it a good go.

The chase started well with Kav and Vinoj getting us off to a good start putting on a quickfire 38 before an unfortunate run out caused the first wicket to fall. Following the run out wickets fell in steady succession leaving Wembley 95-5. Richards and Butcher steadied the ship with a solid 77 partnership for the 6th wicket. When Richards fell Wembley were 172-6 with 10 overs to go, eyeing up some losing bonus points. Would it be 1 or 2. Or could it be 10 for the Win!! Surely not!!

The skipper Badiani came to the crease to pick up the run rate, and was keen on quick singles, Butcher not so much. So they resorted to finding the boundaries instead. When Butcher fell the score had moved rapidly to 196-7, The skipper fell shortly afterwards and with the run rate required to win still hovering around 10 an over, the sensible move was to bat quick but sensibly to secure the bonus points and that's what man of the match A.Mohanlal did. One point target reached......two point target reached...... 32 needed for an unlikely win from 3 overs 9 down!!

The crowds had gathered on the Boundaries with players from all other Wembley teams coming to support the 3rd team in this exciting chase (Good to see). Akash set about giving it a good go, supported by Deep. Running hard between the wickets and putting the oppo under pressure and it was working. Akash was suffering physically. Cramp was kicking in, Water was being called for, but he didn't give up. 15 needed from the last over......down to 8 from 2. Unfortunately a dot ball from the 5th ball meant the game was now out of reach. A 6 off the last ball brought up Akash's 50 and brought us oh so close to that unlikely win. We may not have won but we gave a hell of a fight. The two bonus points left us alone at the top of league and ready to go again next week at John Gales' Harrow St Mary's side. Bring it on!!