Coach and Horses ease straight into top gear against Bloody Lads
GB cricket club on tour - Credit: Archant
Coach and Horses CC began their North East London Cricket League campaign with a fine win over Bloody Lads CC in a high-scoring encounter at London Fields.
A new-look Coach side – fielding four debutants – decided to have a bat, and openers Tom Dollard (26) and Rob Perrett (76) got them off to a fine start, making a stand of 78 for the first wicket.
With the score 115-1 at drinks, Coach decided to accelerate and a superb effort from Andrew Johnson (101 not out) and Will Povey’s 67 off 37 balls propelled the total to a huge 320 off the allotted overs.
Bloody Lads were not daunted though and played positively, with Ben Boorman (58) and Jack Ensor (65) starting well.
But they lost wickets at regular intervals due to the bowling of Rob Perrett (3-43) and Matt Tait (2-27), and their innings fizzled out as Coach secured a 65-run victory.
You may also want to watch:
Meanwhile, a cracking match took place between league newcomers GB CC and GB Strikers.
GB CC won the toss, electing to bat, and quickly found themselves two wickets down. However, a good partnership between Javid Mulla (66) and Gul Hamid (34) steadied the innings.
Most Read
- 1 Campaign to keep Hackney Wick 'alive' with street art
- 2 Jailed: Newham men who raped and robbed women in Hackney home
- 3 Hackney people encouraged to shop local for April 12 reopening
- 4 Hackney's great beer gardens reopening on April 12
- 5 Garden of Lament, Covid, Ramadan, homing cats and Islamophobia
- 6 Community group crowdfunds to turn old Lea valley water depot into wild space
- 7 'I can't wait to buy useless items' when shops reopen after Covid lockdown
- 8 Hoxton restaurant showcases menus by New City College student chefs
- 9 Hackney mum left with 'deep scars' after sexual assault at school
- 10 Police hunt Ilford man after shooting in Hackney
At the halfway mark, GB CC were 130-3 – an outstanding catch from Yusuf Malji sending Mulla back to the pavillion – and their middle order batsmen Harun Alibhai (29) and Ibrahim Mulla (23) continued to build a total with a good partnership.
GB Strikers bowled exceptionally well though, particularly Yusuf Kaidawala (1-27), Altaf Hasna (3-35) and Farooq Jabbar (4-55).
Strikers lost two early wickets in reply but a good partnership between Zakaria Budi (63) and Altaf Hasna (30) helped to rebuild the innings.
At the halfway mark they were 99-3, still with a lot of work to do, and Farooq Jabbar came in and scored a quick 29 before getting out, which brought Zubair Ghardiwal (65no) to the crease.
It started raining sixes and fours, while captain Zakaria Budi (63) offered good support from the other end. The skipper was removed by Khaleel Mulla, and the pressure once again started to build, but Mohsin Molla (14no) came in and smashed Strikers to victory.
Finally on the North Marsh, Tower Hamlets recorded a nine-wicket victory over The Camel.
