Wargrave hold onto top spot despite defeat
Wargrave remain top of Home Counties Premier League Division 2 by the slimmest of margins after suffering a surprisingly heavy 100 run defeat at Harefield on Saturday.
Neal Robinson's side have been the model for consistency so far this season, winning all four of their matches prior to the weekend, but, for whatever reason, they struggled with all facets of their game at Harefield.
Having won the toss, they elected to field but were immediately pushed onto the back foot by a solid opening stand of 74 between Aatish Anthathi (50) and Matthew Ogden (18). Both wickets were prized by Rhodri Lewis (2-25) while Euan Woods (226) got his teeth into the remainder of the top order, removing Thomas McLeod (1) and Nick Kelly (40) before Daniel Ogden (61) cut loose.
With three of the top order scoring well, and Karanpreet Singh adding a quick-fire 31 from 35 balls further down the order, Wargrave were left with a daunting target to chase as Harefield finished up on 245-9 in 46 overs.
Wargrave's reply was checked by the early wickets of Sulaiman Javed (1) and Euan Woods (0), both departing to the impressive Jordan McLeod, who took 3-25. That set the tone for the visitors' nervy reply and, although Rhodri Lewis was able to resist with 71 and Rhys Lewis added a supportive 31, to move them from 152 to 118-3, Harefield's bowlers - in particular Matthew Ogden (4-31) made further inroads to leave Robinson's men 100 runs short.
The middle to low order added precious few runs to the tally as they collapsed from 118-3 to 145 all out.
This defeat will have stung, but Wargrave remain two points clear of Harefield at the top ahead of Saturday's trip to seventh placed Thame Town.