Pinkneys back in the picture following win
Chilterns Cricket League round-up
Pinkneys Green have dragged themselves back into promotion contention in the Chilterns League Premiership after a three-wicket win over third placed Emmbrook & Bearwood on Saturday.
The victory moved Green to within seven points of second-placed Knotty Green, who lost by seven wickets to Monks Risborough, while leaders Cadmore End were surprisingly beaten by nine wickets to Denham.
With just three matches left to play the race for promotion to the Championship remains tantalisingly poised. Visitors Emmbrook opted to have a bat on winning the toss and managed 212-9 from their 45 overs. Several of their batsmen scored well, but none could contribute the big figure that might have swung the game in their favour. It was a good day with the ball for Mike Elliott, who took 3-48, while Jagsit Dhillon (228), Saleem Ahmed (237) and Chandu Sekar Banla (2-36) all took decisive wickets too.
Green’s response with the bat wasn’t exactly routine, with the hosts losing seven wickets, but they got to their target in the 38th over, with Ben Purchese (64), Simon Dudderidge (45) and Dhillon (36no) contributing the most significant knocks.
In the same division Littlewick Green suffered another setback to their hopes as they were beaten by four wickets by Braywood 2nds.
It was a day when Littlewick’s batsmen struggled at the crease, with the visitors managing just 134 before being bowled out in the 40th over. The best of their efforts came from Jack Mason-Apps (35) but Braywood had the upper hand from the off, with Arsal Farooq (3-25) and Raza Farooq (3-25) taking three wickets apiece.
At 18-2 Braywood’s response was wobbling, but Usman Rasheed Butt (26no) and Arsal Farooq (37no) put paid to any hope of a Littlewick fightback.
Holyport wrapped up the Division 1 title with a three-wicket win over Chalfont St Giles on Saturday, chasing down 183-8 for victory.
Port have been cantering to promotion for several weeks now, but this win puts the mathematical seal on their silverware and ensures that even with a Devon Lock slip, they cannot now be caught. Razwan Hanif took 3-23 as Chalfont were restricted to 183 in 45 overs, while Jawad Masood (40) and Ghulam Mirza (42no) were Holyport’s top scorers as the hosts overcame a mid-order wobble to win with plenty of overs and wickets in hand. They finished on 185-7 in the 33rd over.
In the same division, Little Marlow beat Littlewick Green 2nds by 150 runs to maintain their interest in a top two finish with three matches to play. The fourth-placed side trail second placed Knotty Green 2nds by 28 points.