North Enfield Cricket Club’s Friendly XI claimed two more comprehensive victories over the course of the weekend at Strayfield Road as they continue to finish the season in style.
They chased 153 against Bengeo on Saturday in just 22.4 overs and losing just five wickets in the process, after earlier bowling the visitors out for 148; meanwhile on Sunday they restricted North Weald to 151 - 4 to win by 63 runs, after earlier posting 214 - 5.
After being asked to bowl first on Saturday, North Enfield got off to the best possible start when Ollie Welsby castled one of the Bengeo openers with just the second ball of the match. The hosts continued to restrict Bengeo and claimed their second scalp when one batter chipped Ivian Varbanov to Maroof Ebrahim at cover.
However, a 64 run partnership for the visitors halted North Enfield’s momentum and seemed to be pushing Bengeo towards a competitive total. The introduction of Tom Coughlan into the attack soon swung the pendulum back towards North Enfield, as he claimed 5 - 21 in the space of just five overs to reduce Bengeo to 133 - 8, alongside a wicket for David Malleson.
The last two wickets saw just 15 more runs added, as Bengeo were eventually bowled out for an under par 148. North Enfield’s reply got off to a stuttering start though, as they fell to 43 - 3 inside the first 10 overs.
Ebrahim and Garry Orton then steadied the ship for the hosts, with Ebrahim’s attacking half century (53) ensuring that the result of the game was beyond any doubt. Despite another couple of wickets falling, Orton (16*) and Josh Jones (8*) eased North Enfield home to a five wicket victory.
Heavy overnight rain then threatened to cancel Sunday’s fixture against North Weald, but the covers did their job and play was able to start with North Enfield batting first. On a relatively damp surface, Josh Jones’ blistering maiden senior half century (54) and his father Kieran’s unbeaten century (105*) propelled North Enfield up to a very challenging total of 214 - 5 from their 35 overs.
The visitors got off to a solid start in their pursuit of the lofty target, reaching 100 - 0; but two quick wickets apiece for Josh Jones and Richard Sanders stifled their momentum and ultimately meant that North Weald ended up 63 runs short.
Image: Phil Jones
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