Match Report

Saturday 03 September 2011, at Cavendish Sports Ground, Field End Road, Eastcote - Lost by 34 runs (Ref. 201121)

A spectacular 8th wicket partnership of 71 off 50 balls gave Wealdstone Corinthians hope of an unexpected home victory, but was ultimately not enough to save them from defeat with a mere 7 balls remaining, when both participants were dismissed in consecutive overs. Kayur Patel and Rohan Meswani, who each hit their highest score for the club, came together at 72-7 and virtually doubled the score, reducing the target to 41 from 39 balls before the stand ended when Kayur was caught at deep mid off. Earlier the visitors had slumped to 49-4, and it would have been worse but for a reprieve to their top scorer Burney, who was recalled after being given out LBW when it was established he had hit the ball. Ironically two of the three Corinthians given out LBW claimed they had also edged the ball, including home skipper Steve Brown who had instigated the reprieve to Burney and who, crucially, was last out. Arkley's second highest scorer, Phil Knappett, was also let off when dropped in consecutive overs by Dharmik, once off his own bowling and the other off his Dad. Arkley just about deserved their victory for their more disciplined bowling, with the Corinthian bowlers giving keeper Andy Naylor a torrid time. Coincidentally the margin of victory reflected the difference in the number of extras conceded, 44 compared to 10 by Arkley. However, one of the byes was particularly harsh on the keeper, coming when he had taken a leave cleanly, passed the ball to Phil Cundy at slip and saw a run out attempt of the non-striker result in an overthrow. Law 23 is ambiguous on whether the ball was in play, first stating "The ball becomes dead when it is finally settled in the hands of the wicket-keeper" but later "The ball shall be considered to be dead when it is clear to the bowler’s end umpire that the fielding side and both batsmen at the wicket have ceased to regard it as in play".

Arkley 183-7 dec (42.5 overs), A Patel 3-15, N Shah 1-13, P Cundy 1-23, K Patel 1-27, Rohan Meswani 1-28, K Burney 63*

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Corinthians 149 (36.5 overs), K Patel 44 (36 balls), Rohan Meswani 29 (27 balls), D Shah 28 (26 balls)

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Man of the Match: To be voted for