Promotion races heat up and U17s cruise into Cup Final

Heading into the final five weeks of the season and there’s plenty for fight for across the Club!

1st XI

Following a five-match unbeaten run, Tomek Tsang’s 1s are well-placed in the Division Three promotion race, sitting just eight points off second.

The most recent of those victories was an eight-wicket success at home to SKLP, built around Cody Pyne (3-23) and Ashfaq Ahmed (3-16) with the ball and Saad Rehman’s 47 with the bat.

There’s a huge game for the 1s this weekend as they head to second-placed Chiswick, the result of which could go a long way to deciding the promotion places.

2nd XI

The 2s are sitting pretty at the top of Division One, having not lost since the first weekend of June.

That defeat came to Barnes, and it was the men from Lonsdale Road who were the 2s latest victims.

After scoring 155 on a pitch that offered plenty, the 2s set about their work with the ball. Faiz Khan (4-16) and Ijaz Hussain (3-37) did the damage as Barnes were bowled out 54 short.

Sitting seven points clear of third, Saad Rehman leads his side in their final time game tomorrow at home to second-from-bottom Twickenham.

3rd XI

Chris Jones’ 3s are also hitting form at just the right time.

Last weekend’s convincing win over Winchmore Hill leaves the Trees just 12 points off second in a congested Division Two promotion race.

Jaidev Pindoria and Jaz Rehal both his run-a-ball 50s while Jayraj Jadeja contributed 67 in an imposing total of 243-8.

Yogi Prabhu (3-14) and Tom Barry (3-4) then ran through the Winchmore Hill batting line up to record a 167-run victory.

A trip to second-from-bottom Hornsey is the 3s next assignment.

4th XI

Following promotion last season, Krushna Kerai’s young 4s have consolidated well this campaign, sitting comfortably in mid-table.

Despite a five-wicket defeat to SKLP on Saturday, the 4s are only 14 points off third, heading into the final third of the campaign.

The first of those final five is at home to eighth-placed Twickenham tomorrow.

Chess Valley

On Sundays the Chess Valley side need a win, or two, from their final two games to ensure their place in the top flight for next season.

Currently in the final relegation spot, two points from safety, the Trees host London Maccabi Vale CC this weekend before travelling to bottom-of-the table UCS Gowers on the final weekend.

Juniors

Our Transition Competition teams are still fighting on three fronts heading into August.

The Trees record across the 3 age groups this season reads: Played 18, Won 15, Cancelled 2, Lost 1

U17

An incredible spell of 3-2-1-6 from 15-year-old Deen Hoque fired the Under-17s into the final of the Middlesex Youth Cup last night.

After six wins from six in the group stages, we welcomed Crouch End in last night's Semi-Final.

In the gloom at Meadvale Road, Brentham hit 116-5 from 16 overs. Jack Ellis (39*) and Tom Dobbin (16*) put on 58 off 41 balls to drag the Trees up to a respectable total.

Crouch End got off to a flyer, reaching 34-1 in the fourth over before Deen sparked the most remarkable of collpses.

Twice on a hat-trick, Deen had five bowled’s and a caught and bowled in an incredible 18 ball spell as the Trees took 9-7 to romp home by 74 runs.

The final will be held at Brentham on Friday 23 August against either Hampton Hill or Old Elizabethans.

U19

Before that, the U19s and MDL side have a pair of knockout games of their own.

Next Friday, our unbeaten U19s will be at home in the last eight after winning their group. Convincing wins over MTSSC, Ealing, and Northwood, as well as an abandonment against Harrow St Mary’s, was enough to secure top spot.

MDL

A century from Lucas Smith was the mainstay of our the MDL side’s Quarter-Final win over Southgate.

After topping the group, and earning a home Quarter-Final tie, the Trees racked up 247-7 off 40 overs. Lucas (108) hit his maiden ton, ably supported by George Allen (62).

In reply, Southgate never looked like getting close. Cody Pyne (5-16) and Aaron Bolger (3-14) wrapping up a 164-run victory.

Stoke Newington will provide the opposition in next Sunday’s semi-final at Hackney Marshes.