Ickenham’s late show earns a tight victory
Winning side leapfrog opponents in table after win CRICKET
The hosts held their nerve in the final over to claim the points and climb above their opponents in the Division One standings.
West Harrow began the day batting and started steadily and their total was boosted by the brilliant partnership of Faisal Naveed and Zawar Hussein.
Naveed reached the highest individual total of the day with an excellent 109. Hussein provided good support and was eventually bowled on 57.
Their momentum continued and the icing had seemingly been put on the cake when captain Ray Patel stepped up to the crease and hit a huge six, before promptly declaring at 282-7.
Ickenham had 53 overs to chase down West Harrow’s total, which appeared to be too much of a tall order.
However, Elliot Evans initiated the fightback with a 57 to give Ickenham hope.
But it was the partnership of Ben Wall and David Gibson that brought Ickenham back into contention. Wall was superb and reached 73 before being caught.
Gibson later joined Wall and produced a solid batting performance to aid Ickenham’s recovery and would finish the game 72 unbeaten.
Gibson’s run rate was all the more impressive considering he was only recently coming back from injury so was unable to run freely.
West Harrow’s Raheel Zawan seemed to have stopped the Ickenham fightback when he bowled two home batsmen in quick succession.
But in the penultimate over, the partnership of Steve and Dave Gibson continued to score runs and profited from two moments of poor fielding from West Harrow to score two cheap fours.
Steve Gibson’s final boundary shot took Ickenham’s total to 285 with five balls remaining, sealing a victory which had seemed so unlikely just hours earlier.
Meanwhile, Eastcote were held to a losing draw by Hornsey but still remain five points clear at the top of Middlesex County League Division Two.
Matt Savage (4-48) led the side and showed the way early on with the ball to leave the hosts at 61-6 and staring down the barrel.
Hornsey showed some great resistance and managed to recover their innings to post 181 all out with James Corbett (5-54) among the wickets again.
That late rally gave them hope of sticking it out with the bat and Savage, as he had done with the ball, guided his team home with an unbeaten 28 to see the away side finish up 169-8.
And Paul Katz and Paul Marsall’s heroics were only good enough for a draw as Old Merchant Taylors’ were held by Harefield in Thames Valley Cricket League Division 2A. RYAN Jackson sealed the winner as West Drayton Youth Blues earned tournament victory against club rivals Yellows in the Comets FC Tournament, hosted at Hemel Hempstead.
West Drayton had to fend off 13 other sides in the race for a final spot and managed to land both available spots thanks to the hard-work of their two youth sides.
Jackson’s goal settled the contest in favour of the Blues to wrap up a wonderful day for the visitors.
Elsewhere, Hillingdon FC U10s claimed victory in the annual Rotary Club of Uxbridge ‘Eborn Pratt’ five-a-side football tournament
Sandgate U12s also took the honours in their respective age group of the football tournament.