Only one win for Richmond on League Saturday 6 but what a win it was. A last-over victory by the 1's at North Middlesex, followed by defeat for Hampstead at the hands of Twickenham, and the 1's find themselves top of the Premier League by 12 points. We lost the toss and were invited to bat. At 34 for 2 it seemed like the right decision but Adam London and Abhishek Jhunjhunwala used their experience to guide the score to 110 for 2 at lunch. London went after the interval but Abhi was well set, reaching his ton before eventually being dismissed for a magnificent 140 with the score on 239. A late flurry of runs took us to a declaration after 61 overs at 275 for 9. North Midd started well with England Under 19 player, Luke Hollman, in dominant mood. However David Burton's excellent opening spell accounted for the other opener and Abhi's one over before tea removed Flowers to leave the hosts 51 for 2 at tea. After the interval Hollman continued to pay well but loss partners at regular intervals. With the game slipping away from them, North Midd seemed intent on the draw but Burts took 2 in 2 balls and then another to see them 8 down. With 4 overs to spare and the shutters up, Kingy turned to Adam who took the 9th wicket. In the 18th over of the Final Hour (17 now being the requirement in MCCL cricket) it was left to man of the match Abhi to trap Hollman in front to scenes of great celebrations. Burts figures were 25 overs, 5 maidens, 6 for 75. Abhi 3 for 37 off 16.3. A terrific win and we look forward to welcoming Hampstead to ODP next Saturday.
Unfortunately for the rest of the club results were less satisfactory. The 2's lost by 5 wickets against Hampstead. Only Cormac McLoughlin was able to go on and record a big score (72 not out) although Dan Fryer's 46 off 47 saw Richmond post a higher score than might previously have been thought. But 207 was not enough and Hampstead strolled home mainly thanks to a 5th wicket partnership of more than 100. The 3's played on the high-scoring 2nd ground at Eastcote and posted 336 for 8 off 50 overs, a score that they could not defend - the home side winning with 2 balls to spare, again 5 down. The 4's conceded 262 against Middlesex Tamils 3 and then were bowled out for 213 whilst the 5's held on for a losing draw against Shepherds Bush 4's. So, not our best day but the 1's great start to the league season continues.