2nd XI vs Headstone Manor

In week 13 of the MCCL, Southgate 2nd XI hosted league leaders Headstone Manor in what proved to be a compelling contest at the Walker.

Pre-match preparations were less than ideal, with half the side running late and only eight players present at the toss, never promising signs.

Skipper Sammy won the toss and opted to bowl first on a pleasant afternoon. Southgate made a steady start with the ball, Sammy and Tommy maintaining control while debutant Srikanth impressed early, bowling a lovely line and length to keep the visitors honest. Headstone Manor progressed to 63 without loss before the opening breakthrough was finally secured.

Nicholls and Srikanth then tightened the screws, combining to remove the second opener and reduce the visitors to 84 for 2 after 22 overs. Headstone Manor’s experienced middle order responded with composure, rebuilding to 162 for 3 after 37 overs, before Amila took a straightforward catch at mid-off to dismiss their overseas batter leaving the visitors 180-4.

The spinners continued to apply pressure, and Alan proved decisive late in the innings, striking twice in quick succession as part of a hat-trick across his first two overs. A late surge from the lower order carried Headstone Manor to a declaration on 246 - a competitive but attainable total on a true Southgate surface.

Southgate’s reply began positively, with openers Mustapha and Amila putting on 53 in the first 10 overs. Mustapha adopted an uncharacteristically restrained approach, while Amila played fluently to keep the scoreboard moving. However, both fell in quick succession, leaving the hosts 65 for 2.

Colly and Kazi then steadied the innings with a measured partnership, appearing to take control before Colly was adjudged lbw to a delivery that looked to be missing the stumps by a fair margin. At 131 for 3 after 27 overs, the match remained finely poised.

Kazi and Bellwood continued the recovery in assured fashion, but Kazi’s dismissal for 48 - run out after a misjudged single straight at cover; shifted momentum once again. Bellwood followed shortly after in similar fashion, also run out for 49 (jug avoidance for the pair of them), as Southgate edged closer but left themselves exposed.

Despite the setbacks, the innings remained on track at 224 for 5 after 42 overs.

Srikanth and Nicholls then guided Southgate over the line with a composed, unbeaten finish, sealing a five-wicket victory.

To round off the day, results elsewhere in the league fell favourably, keeping Southgate firmly in the promotion hunt. UTG.

Mustapha Mirza

3rd XI vs Harrow 4s

Southgate lost the toss and were asked to bat first. The innings got off to the worst possible start when the first wicket fell before a run was on the board, immediately putting the visitors under pressure.

Nevin looked in excellent touch and appeared set for a significant score before edging behind after a well-made 16. That proved to be the story of the innings, as several batters got themselves set but were unable to convert their starts into substantial contributions, with only two players facing more than 30 deliveries.

The standout batting performance came from Southgate's youngest player, Aaryan Kotecha. Coming to the crease at No. 9 with the score on 83, Aaryan demonstrated patience and maturity beyond his years, finishing unbeaten on 21 from 60 balls. Supported by the lower order, he helped steer Southgate to a respectable total of 132. Jason added a quickfire 14 from just 8 deliveries, while Hitesh showed great determination in making a hard-fought 8 from 29 balls.

With a lightning-fast outfield, Southgate knew it would take a tremendous bowling and fielding effort to dismiss league leaders Harrow. Unfortunately, the fielding did not reach the required standard, with three chances put down. Harrow made Southgate pay for those missed opportunities, scoring freely and dispatching the occasional loose delivery to the boundary.

As the game began to slip away after the opening bowling spells, Southgate turned to the younger members of the side. Jason bowled with impressive pace and control, while Aaryan capped a superb all-round performance by claiming Southgate's only two wickets of the innings.

Harrow eventually reached 136 for 2 in 18.4 overs, securing victory and leaving the 3rd XI with plenty to reflect on. However, this side has shown throughout the season that it can respond positively to setbacks, and there is every reason to believe they will bounce back strongly in the final weeks of the campaign.

Bhavesh Kotecha

1st XI vs Enfield

The first XI passed up a great opportunity to pick up a much needed 10 points away at Enfield in a true game of two halves.

Enfield won the toss and chose to bat in front of a crowd of 200 or so gathered for their president's day. Southgate's opening pair of captain James Dangerfield and Pasoon Rahman bowled good 8 over spells, removing an opener each. Pasoon took an over or two to find his rhythm, but grew into his spell brilliantly finishing with figures of 8-3-24-1. 

The seamers were replaced by spin just before the first drinks break. Akshay Pillalamarri’s return to the club is extremely welcome and he got to work instantly, finding turn and strangling accuracy from the very beginning of his spell. Akshay bowling in tandem with the always threatening Laurence Perry was a tantalizing prospect, but the next wicket to fall was actually a brilliant direct hit run out from Josh Holmes who swept around from backward point before picking up cleanly and throwing down the bowlers end stumps. 3 further quick wickets from the spin duo meant the Enfield score had gone from 64-2 to 75-6. The highlight from this period was Laurence comprehensively beating Enfield’s advancing overseas player with a googly, leaving Scott Ellis ample time to remove the bails.

Enfield's tail set about accruing as many runs as possible and some patient batting combined with heaves from their number 11 eventually saw them bowled out for 130. It was a near perfect bowling and fielding performance from Southgate on a usually high scoring ground, unfortunately that is where the positives end. 

Praise should be given to Enfield's overseas bowler who ran in hard and bowled with pace and skill for 13 overs straight, picking up 3 wickets in the process. Their off spinner also bowled well to earn 4 wickets, but ultimately if you can’t chase 130 you're not going to win many games. Scott Ellis top scored with 24 and perished looking to push on as he ran out of partners. The scorecard made for sorry reading as we were eventually bowled out for 94 in front of an increasingly buoyant Enfield crowd. Nobody other than Scott made 20 and there were four ducks. Good performances in the field let down by poor batting has been all too frequent for the 1st XI this season.

Max Joseph

Hertgate Trophy

Southgate 268-6 dec - 46 overs

Hertford 254-9 42 overs

We made our annual trip up the A10 on Monday to open Hertford’s Cricket Week with an all day game for the Hertgate Trophy. The Hertgate Trophy was presented by our very own Bob Cole in 1995, to celebrate the hundredth meeting between the two clubs and it was great to see Bob there on Monday to catching up with many of his old Hertford mates.

Once our team has been scooped up from Hertford North Station in Jezcabs and Sammy had completed his two hour drive from leafy Surrey (great effort!), James duly lost the toss but fortunately was asked to bat. Perhaps the oppo had seen our two Aussies warming up and fancied a chase? Hugh and Liam tucked into the opening bowlers adding 91 before Liam overbalanced and was tidily stumped. Kazi, Rehaan and James all played breezy cameos before falling to the experienced Ross Murphy bowling a clever mix of swing and seam off the wrong foot. Vivek joined Hugh just before lunch (a very enjoyable chicken and salad combo, followed by chocolate brownie) and post lunch they pushed the score along at a steady rate. Viv departed for a well-earned 36 before Hugh completed his century, moving on to 128 before losing his wicket in the final late push for runs. Captain James decked at 268-6 off 46 overs.

Pasoon and James opened up and both bowled well on a pitch which had become a bit two paced. P made one or two fly through and was unlucky to go wicketless. James broke the deadlock with a classic away swinger, bagged by the old man at first slip. Hertford’s second wicket added an aggressive 53 before Conway Abell was very well caught at fine leg by Rehaan, off the bowling off Viraj. Aaryan Kotecha bowled well on his 1st XI debut before being replaced by Sammy. Sammy took 3 wickets in a tidy 9 over spell and with Kazi taking 3 wickets at the other end, a win looked probable with Hertford 205-8.

Like the Ryder Cup, only a win would see the Hertgate Trophy regained and some dogged lower order resistance, saw Hertford hang on for a draw at 254-9 and retention of the trophy.

A great effort all round, with contributions from everyone. Thanks to all for playing, well batted Hugh and Viv, well bowled and fielded all and as always thanks to Hertford for hosting us so well.

https://southgate.play-cricket.com/website/results/7568973

Jez