London Fields’ loss hands Division One title to rivals

Sky captain Rizwan Siddiqui struggled to contain his delight after his side were crowned Division One Champions thanks to Caledonian Conquerors’ victory against London Fields last week.

With London Fields going into the game needing a win to cement their place as Division One winners, a spirited and professional bowling display from Caledonian Conquerors was enough to help Sky snatch the title.

“We are so happy,” said Siddiqui. “It was very tense at the London Fields game and after they bowled Caledonian Conquerors out for 128, we thought they would go on the clinch the league title.”

However, in a dramatic turn of events, after losing captain Will Isaacs, London Fields spectacularly collapsed to 71 all out, confirming Sky as champions.

“I think that over the whole of the season we have deserved to win the league,” said Siddiqui.

“There were times throughout the season when I thought that we didn’t perform that well, which was annoying.

“As a team, I think we were guilty of using lots of energy in the games against sides higher up the league, but against some of the so-called lesser outfits I think we took our eye off the ball a little bit.

“Caledonian Conquerors went into the game knowing that a win would clinch them the runner-up spot and I think that spurred them on and as a result it helped us out.”

Siddiqui also revealed that he thought that London Fields acted as though they had already won the match and the league, before they started batting.

“I think that London Fields were a little over confident, after their bowling performance, which could have been why they ended up losing,” he added.

Reflecting on the season, the Sky captain found it hard to pick a star performer from his side.

“This season has been about great team performances,” he said.

“Everyone has pulled their weight, but if I had to choose one player then it would be Shakeel Durrani.

“He has been with the club since 1997 and is now in his 40s. He has been a loyal servant to the club and his batting this season has been his best for some time.

“He has been an inspiration at the top of our batting order.”

Siddiqui revealed that Sky’s title – their first in three years – was the result of some hard, honest work.

“We have been in this league for some time and we have been one of the stronger sides in it,” he said.

“The league has gone through a period of change with new teams coming into it.

“They have then upped their games and we have had to work very hard to fulfil our potential.

“We have done it the hard way.”

Meanwhile, London Fields captain Isaacs remained upbeat despite his side’s defeat.

“We just didn’t perform in the last half of the last game of what has been a good season for us,” he said.

“We fielded and bowled really well on the day, but our batting let us down.

“We kept a top side beneath 130 runs and to come within a sniff of winning the league is amazing for us considering we were playing Division Two cricket a year ago.”

Isaacs also revealed that he is set to continue to captain the side.

“I was going to step down from captaining the side, but I have decided to stay on for another year,” he said.

“We have come such a long way in a short period of time, and we want to go one better next season.”