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Four out of 5 ain't bad

Four out of 5 ain't bad

Chris Goldie12 Jul 2015 - 08:17
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Richmond start the second half of the League season in style.

Week 10 of the League season saw the 1's extend their lead at the top of the Premier League with an ultimately emphatic victory over Indian Gymkhana by 96 runs. Alex Griffiths won the toss and not surprising chose to bat on a pitch which has a reputation of offering much to the spinner and little for the seamers. Kshitij Desai, promoted from the 2's, gave Richmond a positive start with a quickfire 35 but at 54 for 3, hard work was required and this was offered by Arthur Sewell and Andrew Lowe who patiently set about setting up a substantial total to defend. Their partnership of 167 was magnificent with both players showing skill and determination. Lowie's 3rd ton of the League season was described by one of the League's most senior umpires as one of the best that he had ever seen which is high praise but Arthur's contribution was just as significant. Griff declared after 60 overs with the score on 247 for 5, the first time that a score in excess of 200 has been posted in the League at the Indian Gymkhana ground.
Richmond took the field with confidence but the hosts openers set about their business well, putting on 61 for the first wicket before Steve Stacey and KD combined. The next over Tom Hemingway struck to remove the second opener. Two more wickets fell immediately after tea, one for Tom the other for Bhavesh Pankhania but there was then a stand of 51 for the 5th wicket which looked to give the home side a chance. However, James Essex on his 1st XI debut got the important breakthrough, Bhav followed up to remove Indian Gym's highest scorer (with the assistance of fumbled but successful catch from KD) and the floodgates were opened. James and Bhav took one more each before Stace was brought back on to finish them off. An excellent win which, with Hampstead hanging on for a draw against Ealing, means that our lead at the top is extended to 12 points.
The 2's got back to winning ways to move up the table and away from the relegation zone. Sam Goodwill led the way with an excellent 70 as we posted 191. Acton were going well before the introduction of spin. Sam picked up 3 and Anirudh Muraly 6 as the visitors were dismissed for 173.
The 3's also extended their lead at the top of Division 1. Matthew Dickinson's 5 wicket haul saw Uxbridge dismissed for 126 on a flat wicket which Richmond took full advantage of, Zain Bhaktar leading the way with 60 not out. Hampstead's defeat against Ealing (for whom Sachin Tendulkar's son Arjun scored 74) means that, like the 1's, the 3's have a 12 point lead.
The 4's consolidated their 2nd place in Division 3 of the 3rd XI league. They dismissed Wembley for 204 and knocked them off for the loss of 3 wickets with Michael Atkinson not out on 99 and good support from Will Hayes. Spender's side are 20 points behind Highgate 3's and 6 points ahead of Ealing 4's.
The 5's suffered a heavy defeat against Teddington 4's with the home side scoring 276 for 3 and Richmond only managing 114 in return.
So all in a good weekend with 43 points from a possible 53. With availability improving in the weeks ahead, we now need to maintain momentum at all levels and play with confidence and commitment. This could be an exciting season but we will need to play excellent cricket at all levels.
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