Wembley 179 Stanmore 180-9

Middlesex County League Division One

The upturn in Stanmore's fortunes continued at the weekend, with their second successive league win on Saturday followed by progress to the sixth round of the National Cup with a victory at Bexley.

Wembley were soon regretting their decision to take first knock as Julian Makin (3-37) claimed three quick wickets in hostile opening spell. He was supported by Daminda Wijesekera (4-47) as the visitors were reduced to 70-6.

A stand of 68 almost doubled the total, and although two wickets went cheaply, a ninth wicket partnership of 36 hoisted Wembley's final tally to 179.

Sachem Patel (88) batted magnificently, for Stanmore, supported by Mark Reingold (28) and Navin Samarakoon (27) in stands of 54 and 44, and Makin, who had started the day so well, provided the finishing touch with a boundary followed by the winning single.

At Bexley, Patel looked set for another big score until he was run out for 30.

But Michael Morrison (33) held Stanmore's innings together, before they were dismissed for 159 with two overs remaining in this 45-over match.

This seemingly modest target looked larger for Bexley as they slipped to 37-3 after Alastair Fraser and Morrison dismissed the openers, followed by the first of four run-outs.

Following a fourth-wicket stand of 48, the last six wickets crashed for 39 runs (Dave Dunn 3-29).

Stanmore visit Finchley in the league on Saturday before a trip to Shenfield in the Evening Standard Trophy on Sunday.

July 3, 2002 18:00