Southgate 1st XI 133 all out (44.3 overs)
Finchley 1st XI 136-2 (24.3 overs)

Southgate lost the toss for the third successive week, but with damper and more overcast conditions, were asked to bat first for the first time this season. Their main obstacle early wasn't so much the conditions as an excellent spell of bowling from the Finchley opening pair, who combined to reduce Southgate to 4-4 in the 8th over.

A serious rebuild was required and Scott Ellis (32) and James Dangerfield (36) set about the task, putting on 63 for the 5th wicket. After their partnership was broken, useful contributions from Kunaal Kankate (23) and Daragh Edwards (28) helped us towards a below par total, albeit one we would have jumped at if offered at 4-4.

Defending a low total would have required a perfect performance from our bowlers and fielders, and unfortunately we did not provide one. Daragh Edwards caught the edge of Finchley's overseas opener, but he was dropped in the slips and went on to score 92 from 57 balls, more or less completing the chase single handedly. Ben Elders' excellent 8 over opening spell contained 5 maidens, but ultimately went unrewarded. Ben Howe and Vig Sriram picked up a wicket apiece as defeat loomed.

The 1st XI have now played each of the top 3 in their first 3 matches. It is obviously early to judge the league table, but the three opposition teams so far are last season’s two relegated Premier division teams (Brondesbury & Finchley) and Twickenham, who narrowly beat Brondesbury by 1 run on Saturday, so we hope that less strong opposition await us in the coming weeks.