Eastcote show their intent in title race
CRICKET
EASTCOTE drew early blood in the Division Two title race by beating second-placed Shepherd’s Bush in a top-of-the-table clash.
The hosts won the toss and elected to field, grabbing a couple of early wickets from Jehan Jefferie and Matt Savage to pin down the visitors 14-2 from the first five overs.
Jefferie continued on to take 3-39 and Shepherd’s Bush were 107-4 after 28 overs and looking to move into clear water.
However, a fit-again James Corbett had other ideas and took 4-56 from his 15-over spell and the away side were dismissed for 170.
Eastcote came out showing real intent, moving swiftly to 63 from five overs before the loss of the counter-attacking Greg Fury, who scored 39 from just 18 balls.
Skipper Chris James (34) and Harpal Sagoo (27) moved the score up to 110 before both were out and with an unlucky LBW for Rose Warne (0) Bush smelt blood.
Phil Bell (20) managed to push the score to 144 before departing Savage’s unbeaten nine and hard hitting from Danny Skilton (31 not out) saw them stay top of the pile.
Elsewhere, Old Merchant Taylors’ came tantalisingly close to chasing down a formidable total of 268-4 posted by Old Cheltonians in the first round of the Cricketer Cup.
Sohan Modi (34) and Adam Brand (63) shared in a partnership of 90 for the third wicket which kept OMT in a good position, but they fell 20 runs short of the target.
And Hayes seconds returned back to winning ways in style with a thumping 191-run victory over Henley. Shahbaz Haider top scored with the bat and Kulvinder Singh took 6-36.