Village 1s get a winning draw in top of the table clash

MHV 1st XI took the trek to the North of the county to play Reed. In a top of the table clash, 1st vs 2nd (30 points apart) held the possibility of a rare challenge for the Village and so it proved for the early part of the match. The Village were reduced to 105 for 6 in the 25th over and on a decent batting track a sub-par total was looking likely. Danny Potter (32), Nir Shah (27) and Andy Potter (17) all got starts but failed to go on.

Skipper David Overton joined Hinal Gajjar at the crease for a partnership that turned the match around completely. An unbroken stand of 142 in just 22 overs between the pair, allowed a declaration after 47 overs with the score on 247 for 6. David Overton's 74 and Hinal Gajjar's 56 were the highest league scores of the season for both and coming in a pressure situation, underlined the strength in depth of the team when competing at this level of the league.

Reed had 53 overs to overhaul the imposing total. Having stuck the Village in and fighting for the top of the league an aggressive and meaningful chase was to be expected. Reed started well enough at a steady 4 an over and reached 122 for 2 in the 30th. 125 runs from 23 overs with 8 wickets in hand was a real possibility. However, 2 wickets in an over from Marcus Cara set the home side back considerably and made it difficult for them to accelerate the pace of the innings. Gradually they fell behind the required run rate and a controlled second spell from Nir Shah saw him pick up 3 middle order wickets and pile further pressure on the chase.

Reed began to run out of batsmen capable of mounting a challenge and were unsure whether to stick or twist. The Reed skipper seemed happy enough to settle for a draw, despite a meagre 6 point return, although some of his side were still intent on having a go. A couple of late wickets left the hosts 9 down and the Village had 4 balls at number 11 to force victory. In the end, the Village had to be settle for 19 points and the dual safisfaction of remaining unbeaten and maintaining a healthy lead at the top of the table. The gap remains at 30 points as Old Elizabethans IIs won and moved into 2nd. The final game of the season against OEs could yet prove to be a title decider but the Village still hope to have it wrapped up before then.