2nd XI vs North London Muslims

On a hot summer day with not a single cloud about, Southgate lost the toss and were put into... Bat. The unexpected decision from the opposition captain was proved to be an incorrect one too as Beavan and Zaib opened the batting and got off to an incredibly fast start. Zaib got out after a quick 19 runs but Beavan accelerated on, batting with Liam for a seemingly unbreakable 128 run partnership. Liam's defences were finally broken as he fell for a well made 40 and Beavan shortly after brought up his ton off of only 80 balls!

Southgate were in the driving seat looking like a 300+ score was well on the cards. After a few scores of double digits from the middle order and dare a say it a slight collapse, Southgate finished the innings 263 all out, a score which proved easy to defend.

Going out to bowl, the opposition too got off to a fast start with the opening pair going at well over 7 an over until Josh Holmes found the breakthrough. After this it all went Southgate's way with a flurry of wickets falling in the middle overs before drinks, making the score set by our batters appear unreachable. Even after a rather frustrating 50 run 10th wicket partnership, the opposition were finally bowled all out, with Sam taking the final wicket, for 202. Southgate win comfortably by 61 runs, onto the next week, wear the tree!

George Bloyce

1st XI vs Highgate

A tough game on a ground with very short boundaries, but the bowlers stuck to their plans brilliantly and kept the opposition to 181 all out in 42.4 overs. Th attack showed great discipline, with wickets shared around and pressure applied throughout the innings. Daragh Edwards led the way with 3 wickets, while Will McLoughlin and James Dangerfield both picked up 2 apiece. Dan Bint, Hugh Hyslop and Kunaal Kankate all chipped in with a wicket each, helping bowl the side out and keep the target within reach.

The chase got off to a difficult start as we lost Sunny Kanuparthi, Max Joseph and Josh Ray early, leaving us under pressure. Hugh Hyslop then played a crucial hand, grinding hard for a well-made 53 from 56 balls to steady the innings and give us a platform. Kunaal Kankate looked in good touch during his 17, playing some positive shots before departing just as he was starting to build.

With wickets continuing to fall and the game still in the balance, James Dangerfield and Scott Ellis produced the partnership that ultimately got us home. James showed great patience and determination for his 36, helping rebuild the innings when it mattered most, while Scott remained calm and unbeaten on 27 to guide the chase through the closing stages. Together they absorbed the pressure and ensured we crossed the line to secure an excellent first win of the season .

A strong all-round team performance, with the bowlers doing a fantastic job in challenging conditions.

Sunny Kanuparthi

1st XI vs Bessborough

Bessborough 269-9 (45 overs)
⁠Dan Bint – 5/65
⁠Mike Cox – 2/54

Southgate 114-7 (28.5 overs)
Sunny Kanuparthi – 54 (70)

Southgate CC 1st XI endured a difficult afternoon against Bessborough CC. After being asked to field first, Southgate battled hard to restrict the opposition to 269/9 from 45 overs, with Dan Bint leading the attack superbly with a five-wicket haul.

Dan Bint was the standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 5/65 from his 9 overs, while Mike Cox supported well with 2/54. Hugh Hyslop and Darragh Edwards also picked up a wicket each.

In reply, Southgate made a positive start, reaching 50 in the 10th over and 100 in the 22nd, but regular wickets stalled momentum throughout the innings. Akansh (Sunny) Kanuparthi top-scored with a patient 54 from 70 balls, including seven boundaries. Unfortunately no other batter was able to stay with Sunny long enough as the run rate crept higher. Ultimately the rain came and brought an end to the match with stand-in captain Josh Ray deciding to shake hands with the opposition and call it a day.

Hugh Hyslop

3rd XI vs Crouch End 4s

Southgate CC vs Crouch End CC

A frustrating day for Southgate as Crouch End ran out comfortable winners, chasing down 153 with overs to spare.

Batting first, Southgate looked well-set at 58-1, with Amila (35 off 31, including a six and six fours) playing fluently at the top. But the innings unravelled quickly from there — three wickets tumbled for just three runs, leaving the score 61-4. Kazi dug in admirably for a patient 35 off 107 to steady things, and Parinda counter-attacked for a brisk 34, but contributions down the order were thin and the side was bowled out for 152.

The bowling effort had its moments — Parinda was excellent with 8-2-20-1, and Kazi picked up two — but the fielding let the side down badly. Several catches went down, and 24 extras were conceded including 11 wides and 11 fielding extras, which made a defendable total feel a lot smaller. Crouch End cruised to 154-4 in just 23.2 overs.

Plenty to work on, but positives to take: four wickets, three batters past 30, and Parinda’s spell was as tidy as they come. Onto the next one.

Nish Shah