WEEK 4 – SUNDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2023:
Werrington are top of the Huntingdonshire Indoor Cricket League as we hit the Christmas and New Year break after a convincing 5 wicket win against Sheikh CC. Werrington continued their 100% record and fourth consecutive win by restricting Sheikh to 117-2 from their 10 overs. Usman Hanif and Athaf Majeed both retired with 27 and 26 respectively for Sheikh, but Werrington raced to victory only losing 1 wicket with 11 balls remaining. Rashid Zafar top scored for Werrington, retiring at 30 with a brutal quick innings which included 3 sixes and 2 fours.
Hampton were back to winning ways but they nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Pak Azad were bowled out for 60, with Ali Ghazsanfar taking 2-6 including a wicket maiden while captain Muhammad Zafar led from the front with 2-12. Hampton were also indebted to smart quick fielding from Sohail Azam with 2 direct hit run outs. Sharoz Hussain top scored for Pak Azad with 30.
Chasing 61 in 10 overs should normally be quite straightforward, but Hampton collapsed to 37-5 from 6 overs. Abdul Waris (2-10) and Sharoz Hussain (2-13) were the chief destroyers and Waris also picked up two sharp low diving catches. Luckily in Indoor Cricket there is a last man stand policy, where the innings is not closed until all 6 players are out. Hampton captain Muhammad Zafar showed all his team mates how to bat with a cool unbeaten 24 to see his team home with 1 wicket remaining.
Ufford Park have moved up to second after recording a 3rd straight victory. Bretton’s score of 133-5 was dominated by the Buckingham brothers with Mark unbeaten with 60 and Neil chipping in with 30. Usman Sadiq with 2-14 and Dan Peeroo with 2-28 were the Ufford bowling heroes. Ufford chased down the 134 needed, three wickets down and with 4 balls remaining with 4 players retiring at 25. Andy Larkin came back in and led the way with 39 for Ufford, while Ethan Bennett from Bretton was involved with all 3 wickets to fall taking a catch and executing 2 brilliant direct hit run outs.
Bretton did have some success in their other match that evening beating Wansford by 3 wickets. Wansford opener Andy Briault top scored with 24 in their 105-5 with Mark Buckingham continuing his impressive day with 2-15, with brother Neil also continuing where he left off in the last match with an unbeaten 26. Captain Andy Bennett made 25, before talented teenager Tyler Downing finished the last match of 2023 off in style by hitting it for 6 to finish unbeaten on 24 and to see Bretton to their victory target of 106 with 3 balls remaining.
Week 4 Results – Sunday 10th December 2023.
Ufford Park beat Bretton by 3 wickets.
Bretton 133-5 from 10 overs.
Mark Buckingham 60 not out (1x6 and 2x4),
Neil Buckingham 30.
Usman Sadiq 2-16,
Dan Peeroo 2-28.
Ufford Park 137-3 from 9.2 overs.
Andy Larkin 39 (2x6 and 2x4),
Dan Peeroo 32 not out (3x6 and 1x4),
Usman Sadiq 27 not out (1x4),
Waheed Javed 26 – Retired (2x6 and 1x4)
Hampton beat Pak Azad by 1 wicket.
Pak Azad 61 all out from 7 overs.
Sharoz Hussain 30 (3x4).
Ali Ghazsanfar 2-6,
Muhammad Zafar 2-12.
Hampton 63-5 from 7.3 overs.
Muhammad Zafar 24 not out (1x6 and 1x4).
Abdul Waris 2-10, Sharoz Hussain 2-13.
Werrington beat Sheikh by 5 wickets.
Sheikh 117-2 from 10 overs.
Usman Hanif 27 – Retired (1x6 and 2x4),
Athaf Majeed 26 – Retired (1x6 and 2x4),
Ali Haider 16 (1x4).
Werrington 119-1 from 8.1 overs.
Rashid Zafar 30 – Retired (3x6 and 2x4),
Shazad Akhter 27 not out (1x6),
Annes Hussain 22 not out (2x6 and 1x4),
Junaid Hussain 15 (1x6)
Bretton beat Wansford by 3 wickets.
Wansford 105-5 from 10 overs.
Andy Briault 24 (1x6 and 1x4),
Kelsey Brace 18 (1x6),
Divyen Harrish 15 not out,
Elliot Brewer 15 (1x4).
Mark Buckingham 2-19.
Bretton 106-3 from 9.3 overs.
Neil Buckingham 26 – Retired – (2x6),
Andy Bennett 25 not out (2x4),
Tyler Downing 23 not out (1x6).
Elliot Brewer 2-13.
LEAGUE TABLE AFTER WEEK 4:
1st – Werrington P4, W4, L0, 12 points, 20 opposition wickets taken
2nd - Ufford Park P4, W3, L1, 9 points, 21 opposition wickets taken
3rd - AK11 P4, W2, L2, 6 points, 22 opposition wickets taken
4th - Pak Azad P4, W2, L2, 6 points, 20 opposition wickets taken
5th - Bretton P4, W2, L2, 6 points, 17 opposition wickets taken
6th - Hampton P4, W2, L2, 6 points, 16 opposition wickets taken
7th - Sheikh P4, W1, L3, 0 points, 4 opposition wickets taken
8th - Wansford P4, W0, L4, 0 points, 13 opposition wickets taken
NOTE:
- 3 points for a win.
- Sheikh deducted 3 points for conceding v Ufford Park on Sunday 26th November 2023. Ufford Park received 3 points and 6 opposition wickets due to this concession.
- Sheikh ahead of Wansford on head-to-head win earlier in the season.
- 4 teams currently level on points and are separated by the amount of opposition wickets they have taken during the season.
FIXTURES:
WEEK 5 – SUNDAY 14TH JANUARY 2024:
2.30pm – Hampton v Wansford
3.30pm - Werrington v Ufford Park
4.30pm - Sheikh v Bretton
5.30pm - AK11 v Pak Azad