Top three for Woodley
tcrocker@wokinghampaper.co.uk WOODLEY are into the Premier Division top three after a 49-run win over Sandhurst.
It took some fine bowling to push the win over the line having been dismissed for 178, with Arshad Mohamed the pick of the bowlers.
Batting first, a number of Woodley men posted respectable scores without pushing onto a half century in Shamil Nilamdeen (28), Mohana Krishan Weerasamie (27), Pahirathan Selvaratnam (27) and Miraque
Badurdeen (33) all contributing well.
But there were also a string of low scores in a fractured innings, which was saved by a good final wicket partnership from Badurdeen and Ahamed Nilufer (18no) to close on 178 all out in the 45th over.
Sandhurst, who sat one place above Woodley in third before the weekend, got off to a poor start in reply with Mohamed Hizam Junees taking two early wickets.
Arshad Mohamed (3-29) then took over with Fasul Nafail also taking two wickets as the Camels collapsed to
129-9 and had to end their charge early following a retirement from their tailender Andrew Tuttey.
FARLEY HILL have slipped to the foot of the table following a heavy 131-run loss at home against Mortimer West End.
Ali Jalil was the pick of the Farley bowlers with figures of 3-9 to restrict Mortimer to 231-8, which proved to be more than enough as the hosts were bowled out for 100 with Jude Gunesekera (24) the leading scorer.
SHINFIELD remain top of Division 1 as their unbeaten start continued with a 168-run win at Stratfield Turgis/Hartley Wespall.
Shashank Garg was a stand-out performer, leading the batting scores with a knock of 64, supported by Jay Deshmukh (47) and Naveed Naseer (46) on the way to 263 all out.
Garg then took over with the ball, posting figures of 3-31 but that was trumped by Muhammed Hafeez’s 4-18 to help bowl out Stratfield for just 95.
Robin Thompson continued his fine form with a brilliant display with bat and ball as TWYFORD AND RUSCOMBE earned a winning draw at EARLEY.
Batting first, Thompson, who scored a century last time out, posted 94 not out while Shiva Nagam added 58 with Twyford scoring 249-6. Mo Shamoon (348) was the pick of the Earley bowlers.
But the hosts could get nowhere near the total in reply, instead clinging on to avoid being bowled out.
Ollie Johnson’s 42 was the leading score and Earley did just about manage to hold on, closing on 158-9 despite the best effort of Thompson (3-13). CROWTHORNE AND CROWN WOOD 2s were also frustrated, held to a draw against Hawley.
Having posted a total of 214-7 with Tom Nash (45) and Simon Sheppard (66) impressing, Crowthorne were in pole position for victory but Hawley dug in to grind out their 45, scoring just 95 but keeping four wickets in hand.
WOODLEY 2s’ short trip to WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE proved fruitful, winning by five wickets.
Chris Sharpe (47no) and Andy Malliff (39) helped Waltham up to 169-7 with Gowtham Payavula (3-20) the pick of the Woodley bowlers.
Chris England (3-56) did his best in reply, but Woodley cruised across the winning line in the 40th over with good knocks by Upendra Deshpande (84no) and Amol Lotke (60) sealing the win.
In Division 2, SHINFIELD 2s sit top of the table following a five-wicket win over KNOWL HILL.
Arun Kumar’s bowling figures of 4-8 restricted Knowl to a total of just 109-8, which was comfortably chased down in under 24 overs with Anil Rebello
(39) and Lucky Sardar (36) leading the charge. WOKINGHAM 6s suffered a second straight defeat, going down by seven wickets to Peppard Stoke Row 3s.
Steve Bendall scored 26 for the Oaks as they were bowled out for 122, which proved to be no trouble for Peppard to reach.
Sanjay Gurung’s four-wicket haul came in vain as EARLEY 2s lost at West Reading 4s in Division 3.
Gurung’s figures of 4-17 and three wickets from Joe Ferns helped bowl out Reading for 161.
But a poor reply saw Earley dismissed 61 runs short of victory. CROWTHORNE AND CROWN WOOD 2s
were well beaten at Mortimer West End 2s. Chasing 266 for victory despite the best efforts of John Cartledge (3-39) and Christopher Emes (3-45) with the ball, the Crows were all out for 125 in reply. WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE 2s conceded their clash with BINFIELD 3s.