The results may have been mixed, but there were nonetheless some excellent performances from Ts players on Saturday 3 August. The firsts impressively demolished a strong North Middlesex side, whilst the seconds also put in a commanding performance against Eastcote. The fours also showed why they are where they are, securing a big winning draw against second placed Acton.

Ones impressive against the Midd
The ones recovered from a rocky start to impressively brush aside title-chasing North Middlesex (see here for the card).

The Ts recovered from 33-4 to post 222, Don Manuwelge being the star of the show, helping himself to 99 (132 balls). Indeed, it would have been a century had he not contrived to run himself out going for that particular personal milestone.

That farcical car-wreck to one side, Manuwelge showed why he’s been Mr Consistent through the last month, putting on 152 with Carlos Nunes (62 in 98 balls). It’s also surely no coincidence that the skipper’s welcome return to form has seen the Ts launch in to an impressive winning streak.

Bowling-wise, the Ts set a marker down when Gurjit Sandhu removed Joe Cracknell early. Six weeks ago dropping the dangerous Luke Hollman at first slip might well have shaken the side’s confidence, but now the side is clearly made of sterner stuff.

Once Nunes had trapped Hollman leg before the spin of Abhi Singh (2-18 off 6) and particularly the cyclone pace of Ishi Sohi (5-22 in four and a bit) effectively blew the hosts away. When he gets it right, Sohi is a genuine handful; he bowls fast and straight, getting ‘proper’ wickets. Two caught behinds and a bowled were in there on Satirday, the only minor surprise were that there were no leg befores.

The win moves the Ts up to 6th (see here). That might sound a long way from the top of the table, but things really are closing up. Twickenham are now one 12 point win off Hampstead in third and, say it quietly, just 20 points off top of the table Ealing. Keep winning like this and, well …

Twos ease past Eastcote
The twos had a bit of a score to settle against Eastcote. There were no issues with the opponents per se, but 9 weeks ago the Ts hadn’t been able to give a full account of themselves (see here for why) and this was an opportunity to show what they were all about.

The Ts took first hit and got off to an inauspicious start, slipping to 5-2. Mo Ahmad (18) and Mesome Hussain (32) steadied the ship somewhat and Harry Grinstead added a breezy 43, but 128-8 definitely wasn’t where Eugene Berger wanted his side to be.

Cue an impressive rearguard from Pushtak Arsikere (29 in 28) and particularly number 10 Nakul Vishvanath (50 in 67). Throw in a more than useful last wicket stand of 48 between Vishvanath and the T-Rex (Dom Thamby) and the Ts were able to close on 216.

Eastcote never really got going in reply, slipping from 5-1 to 14-2 and then 22-3. Indeed, a wicket basically fell every 10 runs, quickly leaving the visitors well-behind where they needed to be. Shivam Chauhan (38 in 86) was the lone source of stickability.

Opening bowlers Lewis Mitchard (2-26) and Dom Thamby (2-15 off 7) made an immediate impact, whilst Tom Field (3-28) nicely chipped away at the middle order. It was nonetheless left to skipper Berger (1-10) and Harry Grinstead (1-3) to finish things off and secure the 12 points (see here for the card).

Threes have a day to forget
The ones and twos had good days, but the poor old threes had a day to forget. Steve Watts’s men could only muster 64 in their clash with North Middlesex 4s. Even on a poor track at St Mary’s that was never likely to be enough (see here for the card).

Vedant Jain was the only Ts’ performer who could come out of Saturday’s game with any real credit. Jain was far and away the stand out performer with the bat (19) and he also managed to grab two North Middlesex poles. Jain’s efforts still couldn’t stop the visitors costing to a six wicket victory.

The defeat leaves the 3s marooned in mid-table (see here). From now in it’ll be about knuckling down and getting some momentum in to a batting unit that has been periodically mis-firing.

Fours make a statement
The fours didn’t win on Saturday – and that in and of itself is a surprise – but they nonetheless bossed their game against Acton from start to finish.

Action have been playing well of late and before the weekend they were the Ts’ nearest challengers. Faced with that, Hinay Dassani’s troops knew that Saturday’s fixture was never going to be a walk in the park.

Batting first, the 4s put a resolute 230-7 on the board off 50. The challenge had been laid down to Acton; if you are going to inflict our first defeat of the season, you’re going to have to do it the hard way (i.e. by knocking that score off in 42 overs).

Alex Waddell (52) was the main contributor with the bat, whilst the ever-reliable opening pair of Colin Blunden (26) and Uzzi Khan (25) also made their mark. A brisk 35 from Chetan Ubale towards the end also helped.

Bowling-wise, Dave Jones was the star of the show, helping himself to an impressive six wickets. Say it quietly, but Nihal Tomar also bowled nicely; two overs, two maidens and his first wicket of the year! Acton ended on 108-8 and clinging on for the draw.

The winning draw now sees the Ts move 21 points clear of Acton (see here). Putting it bluntly, if they don’t win the league from here then there will have had to have been an implosion of epic proportions.

5ths run Actonians close
The 5s will feel a little hard done by. Once again they posted more than 200, but, again, their opponents batted well and managed (just) to chase the total down (see here for the card).

The Ts started well, Andy Donelan and Jonty Hunt putting on 54 for the first wicket. That was then followed by something of a wobble as the Ts slipped to 97-5. Jon Bosier introduced himself to the crease with three boundaries in four balls; but, as is his way, 'Biff' was out in the middle for a good time rather than a long time.

With Bosier back in the shack it was left to Zafar Ali to enact a bit of long handle and the very promising Luke Jefferies to provide the finesse. Jefferies' first 50 in senior cricket was very well deserved as the Ts totalled 215 off 50 overs.

With the visitors pinned back on 108-6 the Ts will have fancied their chances of taking home the 12 points.; over 100 needed and only four wickets in the tank. But, respect due to Actonians, they lost just one more wicket as they ultimately eased their way to 216-7.

The results may have been mixed, but there were certainly some impressive Twickenham performances in week 13. Alex Waddell, Luke Jefferies and Nakul Vishvanath both showed that there is plenty of life in the TCC youth system, whilst Dave Jones has turned himself in to a real asset in the 4s. In the midst of a dismal day for the threes it was also good to see Vedant Jain back in the groove.

We move on.