Champions suffer first loss in two years
Two-time defending champions Newham College were handed their first loss in two years, falling to Havering Sixth Form in a stunning match during week seven of the Essex Cricket Board’s FE Chance to Shine competition at UEL SportsDock.
Newham were put into bat and Muhammad Rahim and Nas Ahmed put together a half-century partnership in the first half hour, as Rahim scorched 27 from 18 deliveries and Ahmed knocked 25 from 15.
Both batsmen retired and their replacements continued to push Newham along, as Atesaam Syed scored a rapid 16 runs before he was caught by Kudiwa Kamudyariway off the bowing of Hermes Solomonides.
Irfan Ghuthus added an unbeaten eight runs at the end of the innings, while Shafi Uddin (six) and Khaqan Adbullah (four) also chipped in as Newham finished their 10 overs with an impressive total of 117-2.
But Havering proved to be ready for the chase and Kamudyariwa (10) and Harry Gilhan (15) put together a solid foundation for the innings, before Jack Payne took over, bashing 30 runs from just 18 deliveries with two boundaries.
Payne was ably supported by Solomonides, who launched a six while scoring 17 from 12.
Payne retired after reaching 25 and Newham briefly knocked Havering back as Kai Hatton was run out for a duck without facing and Sam Childs went for three runs.
But then Payne returned and finished off the chase with Solomonides, pushing Havering over the line with two balls remaining for a two-wicket win.
For the Newham bowling attack, Syed proved to be the best man, allowing just 11 runs in three overs, but it was not enough to prevent Newham losing for the first time in 20 matches.
In the first match of the day, George Monoux College picked up another easy win over Barking & Dagenham College.
George Monoux won the toss and put Barking & Dagenham in to bat, but Bhajandip Singh and Kamran Ali got them off to a flyer, as Singh knocked 25 from 18 with a four and then retired.
Ali was bowled for 19 runs by Faizan Mahmood and, following their dismissals, George Monoux’s bowlers put them under the cosh.
Hamza Shakeel bowled Rahul Kainth for a second-ball duck and ran out Hasan Ali for nine, while Muhaimeen Choudhury (3) was also run out by Qasim Ali as Barking & Dagenham completed their 10 overs at 79-4.
That target proved to be little trouble for George Monoux to chase, thanks to some sloppy bowling from Barking & Dagenham, who gifted 30 extras.
Opener Shakeel was run out by Kainth for six, but Arbaz Ali and new partner Qasim Ali put on a match-winning partnership.
Arbaz Ali was caught by Singh off the bowling of Kamran Ali for a quick 12 and Qasim Ali produced a brilliant 25 and retired.
Yasser Syad added seven before he was caught and bowled by Saad Rashed, but more extras saw George Monoux to a three-wicket win in the seventh over.
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