The ones, twos and threes all pocketed ten points in Week 17, although whether that’s enough to see the threes maintain their place in Division Three of the third tier remains very much to be seen. The fours and fives competed well, but ultimately came home with silver medals.

Ones ease past Southgate
The ones welcomed Southgate to Twickenham Green for what was their final home game of the season. And, they ended up coming out comfortably on top (see here for the card).

Carlos Nunes won the toss and opted to have a bat. Neville Talbot hit a breezy 48 (off 54 balls) at three, whilst Don Manuwelge chipped in with 46 (65 balls) at four. Ben Leale-Green (39no off 48) continued his decent run of late and he put on an enterprising 39 with Sami Shori (26 off 32) before the latter was run out off the final ball of the innings. The Ts closed on 211.

Southgate, battling for their lives at the bottom of the division, started their reply reasonably, but once Ben Howe (30 off 54) was removed by Nunes (caught behind) they never really looked like they were going to chase their target down. Akshay Pillalamarri (39 at a run-a-ball) kept at it, but Nunes (3-38), Don Manuwelge (3-18) and Adam Mather (2-17) saw to it that they fell 67 runs short.

Nash at the double
The twos knew their fate before Saturday, but that didn’t stop them registering an impressive win at Eastcote (see here for the card).

Eastcote ‘Keeper Luke Ede (36 off 48) led the way for the hosts, but the mercurial force that is Mo Ahmad’s off spin did for him. Ahmad (2-15), young Thomas Hopkins (2-30) and Eugene Berger (2-22) all contributed impressively with the ball, but it was Phil Nash who really led the way, claiming three wickets in his six and a bit overs.

In reply the Ts spluttered a little up top, but Nash – clearly the man of the moment – was having none of that in the middle order. He found a very capable ally in Hamish Johnston, the young leg spinner contributing an impressive half century as the two of them put on an unbeaten 105 to win the game. Excellent stuff.

Threes keep believing
The threes knew a win was non-negotiable if they were to have any chance of going into Week 18 with survival still possible. And, win they did indeed do (see here for the card).

The game, as is often the way with the threes, was not without drama. Wycombe House were skittled out for 72, skipper Robbie Bosier taking 4-22. Praween Siriwardena (2-2 off 2) and Hinay Dassani (2-15 off 5) also helped out nicely.

73 would normally be a target that you’d expect to get, but at 3-2, 14-4 and then 27-5 Wycombe House were most certainly still in the game. A calm head was needed, and Milan Gurjal (23) was the man who tried to provide it. However, it was ultimately the gaffer, Robbie Bosier, and Mark Smith who needed to batten down the hatches and see Twickenham home.

The win means that in Week 18 the Ts need to beat Harrow Town and hope that North London are well beaten by Hampstead 5s. If that happens, then the mother of all great escapes will be complete.

Old Is blast their way to victory against the 4s
The fours locked horns with Old Isleworthians. Old Is have had a good season. They won’t be going up, but they’ll end safely top half. Decent.

In Week 17 they ultimately proved too much for a Twickenham side led by Martin Fairn. The Ts put 147 on the board. That’s a score that can certainly win games of third tier cricket, but Old Is blasted their way to victory in little more than 15 overs. Respect due.

Teddington chase impressively against the fives
The fives, meanwhile, travelled to Bushy Park to play Teddington IVs.

Teddington are already relegated, but that didn’t stop them picking up the ten points on Saturday (see here for the card).

Ryan Oakes picked up his first half-century for Twickenham, contributing a more than useful 70. Jon Bosier also chipped in (30), as did Paul McLoughlin (24). Ryan Karmakar (3-47) led the way with the ball for Teddington.

Anything above 200 is considered more than acceptable in Division 5B, but on this occasion it wasn’t enough. Teddington cruised past their target with 7 overs to spare. Tom Elway (71) was the star turn, Ryan Oakes (2-52) leading the way with the ball.

Once more unto the breach then, folks. Bring on Week 18