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South success

5/ 6/2008

SW Manchester 105ao, Wythenshawe 75ao - SOUTH West Manchester stayed on top of the Manchester Association Premier Division division with a second successive win which reduced the reigning champs to chumps at Longley Lane.

Batting first in bowler-friendly conditions, South West made a solid start with an opening stand of 39 led by Mirnal Dasgupta (22) and Ash Imdad (17).

However, they failed to build on the foundation as reckless shot selection saw them throw wickets away with only Khalid Mahmood (12), Adil Javed (22) and Suleman Ishaq (13) reaching double figures as they subsided to 105 all out, leaving Wythenshawe 54 overs to reach the meagre target.

Wythenshawe’s new overseas player Robin Chaudhry had a promising debut with the ball, taking 3-48, while Chris Miller ended with 4-39 and spinner Izzy Fernandez 3-14.

It looked to be a walk in the park for the home team, but like South West, they failed to apply themselves with the bat and conceded wickets needlessly.

Craig McCoy (11), Chris Miller (18) and Colin Crowther (11) gave Wythenshawe some hope but Raj Sivakumar (4-24), Fahzad Akbar (2-25), Najeeb Ahmad (2-9) and Suleman Ishaq (2-7) rolled them over 31 runs short of victory.

Wythenshawe’s seconds ensured honours were even with victory in the reverse fixture after being set a target of 132.

Wali Mahmood hit 33 as South West’s batters got in and then got out just as a big innings was required.

Young spinner Martin Leonard did the damage for Wythenshawe with 6-51 while Craig Stone took 4-34 at the other end.

Adam Ward (36), Ian Habershon (34) and Chris Bradley (27 not out) then carried Wythenshawe to a six-wicket success.