2nd XI Preseason vs Finchley

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

1st XI Preseason vs Finchley

1st XI: Finchley v Southgate

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

Unfortunately new captain Dangerfield is as bad at winning tosses as previous captain Jup, with the net result being that Southgate fielded first. Despite an early breakthrough from Ben Elders and some promising spells from young spinners Kazi and Nevin, Finchley put together a good partnership in the middle overs, and aided by a couple of dropped catches posted a competitive total of 247 from their 45 overs.

Southgate made a quick start to the chase, and despite good cameos and Ben Elders reaching his first ever batting drinks break, regular wickets meant that we never quite got going, with only Sacha (40*) posting a score of note as Southgate were bowled out for 140.

Despite the loss, Southgate’s young team put up a spirited performance, and the team now looks forward to their first league fixture against Brondesbury at the Walker Ground on Saturday.

Charlie Spink