Dons too good as Llamas suffer 7 wicket defeat

It was a Aaron’s birthday and he was able to share his day with his 5th team ‘All Star XI’ , playing a consistently strong Wimbledon team.

Aaron won the toss and decided to bat on a good wicket and fast outfield.

Geoff Chay and Brijesh Patel put on 30 for the opening stand before Geoff was caught for 2. Brijesh and Sam Gregson kept the score board ticking over nicely, supported by some wayward bowling ( there were 33 extras) when Brijesh was bowled for 18. Matt Van Staden was next in to join Sam and he was in search of some much needed runs. Sam was next out bowled for 17 after, again, looking very comfortable at the crease. Matt however had found his form and he hit an excellent 66, without giving a chance before being bowled by off spinner Bembridge. Mahesh Yapahugedara was batting well until a tight call for a run by Simon Morris resulted in him being run out for 11. Simon Morris scored a bright 15 before he was also succumbed to the off spin of Bembridge.

Priory scored 193 all out and had batted their allotted 47 overs. Confidence was high as we had batted well, avoiding some of the recent batting collapses, and posting a good score.

Laurence Pickford and Manish Chauhan opened the bowling for Priory. The Wimbledon openers gave chances in the early overs and this gave encouragement to all the Priory team. Manish took the first wicket, a caught behind by keeper Geoff. This was quickly followed by the second wicket, an excellent catch taken by George Ellis, off the bowling of Laurence. It is worth highlighting the fielding performance of George who was brilliant in the field.
Priory were buoyant and a win looked a real possibility. When the third wicket went down to a catch by Mahesh off the bowling of Matt Van Staden, Wimbledon were 80 for 3. Unfortunately, the fourth wicket partnership of over 100 was the undoing of Priory as Amjad Husain finished on an unbeaten 89, supported by a 50 from Ben Turner .

Priory lost by 7 wickets although there were a number of positives in the performance.

No winning birthday present for Aaron but the ‘All Stars’will go again next week against Sunbury.