2nd XI: Southgate v Finchley

3rd May | Preseason friendly Southgate won the toss and elected to bat

Southgate 2nd XI finished the preseason strongly with a great display against a solid Finchley side. After winning the toss and electing to bat, runs at the top from openers Scott Ellis (60) and Mustapha Mirza (43) set a good platform. This was built upon by a strong performance by Oliver Bellwood (51) who shepherded the middle and lower order with cameos from Akhil Sanapala (15) and Christian McLoughlin (22) allowing Southgate to reach 223 the allotted 40 overs.

Whilst Finchley started strongly reaching 39 before the first Southgate wicket, wickets from debutants Javed Ahmed (2-37 off 7.3 overs) and Bavesh Kotecha (2-33 off 5) were highlights of a spirited Southgate attack which was aided by two late Harshil Vipani run outs to seal victory.

All-in-all, everyone had an opportunity to prepare for the season proper and the future looks bright for the second and third eleven as they embark on the season.

Christian McLoughlin