Week 16, Review

Is there life in the old dog yet?
Three weeks ago the twos were dead and buried. Minds were wondering to who was going up and down from Division Two as thoughts strayed to the second string's 2019 fixture list. It could well be that Eugene Berger's side loses its premier league status this year, but, boy, are they making sure that they go down fighting.

Week 15 saw the seconds impressively defeat Southgate (see here). However, given that Southgate were bottom and long since relegated few thought that would be the start of anything even remotely resembling a glorious fightback. The visit of the newly crowned champions, North Middlesex, was a challenge of altogether different proportions.

The Ts took first hit and at 19-4 nothing vaguely heroic seemed on the cards. Nihal Tomar (28) and the in-form Ethan Wright (42) steadied the ship with a nice 50 partnership before the lower order chipped in with some valuable late runs. Stand in skipper Nakul Vishvanath batted nicely for an undefeated 29, whilst Parampreet Singh - another who has started to find a bit of form with the bat - also hit 29 as the Ts closed on 179.

In reply, North Midd - as befits a side full of confidence - got off to a flyer, racing past the 50 mark before the first wicket fell. The spin twins of Tom Field and Vishvanath then started chipping away. A North Midd resistance then took place as 50 was put on for the 7th wicket. They were almost home and hosed and the Ts were almost mathematically relegated.

But, cricket can be a bonkers game. With little more than 10 needed to win The Midd had four wickets and plenty of overs in hand. The gourmet chef, Ant Hill, was thrown the ball and he immediately caused chaos, claiming two quick wickets. The wobble was on and everyone knew it.

Nakul Vishvanath pondered his thoughts and opted to chuck the ball to the Devon Dynamo, Tom Field. Field ratcheted up the tension even further by claiming wicket number nine, leaving North Midd needing three to win and two to tie. As if the tension wasn't palpable enough he then promptly bowled a wide - two to win, one to tie (and with that relegation for the Ts). Could Field produce a miracle? The answer? He could indeed as the number 11 was dismissed very next ball. Should anyone have any footage of Field running round the Green waving his shirt in celebration a la Freddie Flintoff (see here) then feel free to mail it me now!

Ones come off second best at Ealing
The 1sts' game at Ealing was rather less dramatic, although the Ts didn't acquit themselves badly against a strong Ealing side (see here for the card).

Phil Nash (37) and Mesome Hussain (34) were the stars of the batting show as the Ts, exactly as the seconds were doing on the Green, posted 179. Ashley Sivarajah was the star of the Ealing bowling show with an impressive 3-16 off 10.

In reply, the Ts gave it a decent go. Tom Grundy (2-40) picked up a couple of early wickets in a(nother) fine opening spell, whilst Mesome Hussain and Varun Sivaram also helped themselves to a wicket apiece. But, Mylo Wilkin and Chris Wakefield held the fort admirably for the home side and saw the hosts home with plenty to spare.

Brondesbury's victory over Finchley means that the Ts' game against Bron on the Green next week now takes on even more importance than it already had. Bron are six points behind the Ts (see here) so this really is the dictionary definition of a cricketing six pointer.

Threes cruise to victory
The threes continue to fight gamely for their second division lives. Indeed, an impressive nine wicket triumph at Southgate would indicate that they have every chance of staying up.

The stars of the show were Dom Thamby and particularly Robbie Bosier. On any other day Thamby's 4-9 would be the only story in town, but Bosier - freshly re-instated after a few weeks in the fourth XI - blitzed the Southgate batting line up to take 5-10. Quite why he was then in bed with his horlicks (and not in the pavilion celebrating) at 21h30 is a mystery to all.

Southgate had little in response, mustering 80. The Ts made light work of chasing that, losing just the one wicket on the way. The table (see here) still shows Twickenham in the relegation zone, but if they can win both of their remaining games then they will certainly stay up. Indeed, win just the one and there is a fair chance they will be playing Division Two cricket next year.

Fours lose to Highgate
The fours came off second best in their encounter with Highgate. Highgate have been having a good season, and they were good value for their five wicket triumph.

The Ts took first hit but never really got going. Uzzi Khan (22) left his T20 persona elsewhere and knuckled down for the long haul, setting what was hoped would be a decent base. Karandeep Singh and Nitin Parab (both 27) contributed nice cameos, but 126 was never likely to be enough against a Highgate side gunning for promotion.

Praween Siriwardena continued his good form of late by claiming a couple of poles, but the Gators ultimately got home with five wickets to spare. As and when it is updated, the table is here.

The fifths, of course, had already won. Hampstead cried off on Thursday night. We await Lohana's result with interest to see if the Ts still have a chance of maintaining their third division status. The table, as and when, will be here.