Old Leagonians v Clapham Nomads - 4/9/16

This was due to be 20-20 Finals Day but 2 of the teams dropped out, leaving Nomads to play the hosts, Old Leagonians, in a 35-overs-a-side contest; presumably still for the championship.
Nomads batted first by agreement on the excellent pitch at Epsom cc.
Abdul survived one of the best balls we have faced this season in the first over, from one of the Bradford brothers - a fast yorker that swung from leg, hit him on the pad in front of middle and might (just conceivably) have been sliding past off.  With the umpire's finger remaining in his pocket, Abdul celebrated his return from injury with a cracking 48.
At one stage, with Abdul receiving good support from Mahesh and Hassan, Nomads were on 87 for 2 with plenty of overs left and looked set for a possible 200.  However, some cavalier shots from the middle order, together with some great catching and groundfielding, and a five-fer for another Bradford (Lewis), found the Clapham boys in some difficulty at 134 for 9.
John Crossland then joined Emil Todorow and the veteran pair played a classic partnership.  John produced a feather-light leg glance worthy of Ranjitsinghi, while Emil smacked a resounding cut in front of point for 4 - reminiscent of Mark Bradshaw.  Inevitably there was controversy though and when Emil produced a sumptuous Cover Drive, he disregarded the fact that it had gone straight to Leagonians' best fielder.  The result; our 2 heroes were able to shake hands in mid-pitch as the bails were removed.  However, the pair had put on 17 valuable runs and there was a feeling that our 151 might just be enough.
So it proved.  Hassan struck with an early wicket - and we were told later that his victim was the Epsom side's best batsman.  The 2nd wicket pair put on quite a few but three quick dismissals reduced OLCC to 51 for 4 at the 17-over drinks break.  I had to leave at this point but I'm told by Emil that there were a few tense moments, with Leagonians' youngest player notching 30 or so, before tight bowling by Zia and Riaz at the death left the Home side needing 16 off the last over and we duly ran out winners by 11 runs, allowing Nomads skipper Emil Todorow to (figuratively speaking) lift the trophy.
Thanks to Richard and the Leagonians for hosting a fixture that we always enjoy.  They are definitely an improving side who will be even tougher opponents next season.
So with 1 game to play, Nomads have won 8 and lost 7 and, if there was a League Table, would be in the top half.

Clapham Nomads 151 all out from 32.2 overs

M. Vyas  7
Abdul Khan  48
J. Iqbal  6
H. Khan  16
R. Khan  15
Zia  5
KK Khusro  0
Safi  3
Abbas Khan  7
E. Todorow (capt)  6
J. Crossland (wkt)  not out 5

F.O.W. - 32, 52, 87, 96, 120, 120, 120, 131, 134, 151

Old Leagonians  140 for 8 from 35 overs

Nomads' bowling

H. Khan  5-0-17-1
Safi  7-1-22-1
KK Khusro  7-1-15-3
Abbas Khan  6-0-31-1
Zia  6-0-26-1
R. Khan  4-0-24-0

Clapham Nomads won by 11 runs

Man of the Match - Abdul Khan
Fielder of the Day - Sorry, I've forgotten parts of this game and I missed some of our fielding anyway (so, not awarded.) -- NL 7/10/16.