Queen’s Park Westfield’s 1st XI have two wins from two in the early stages of the Bedfordshire County Cricket League Premier Division after a convincing 97-run victory at Lutonian Cricket Club on Sunday (10 May).
They now sit top of the tree after the second of 16 rounds of fixtures throughout the summer, following their opening day victory against Flitwick.
They were led in the batting department by Zahid Ali Khan, who crashed an unbeaten 136 from 112 balls; well over half of Queen’s Park’s total of 237/9, with Amaan Mehmood back in the wickets with 3-18 in the second innings.
Khan’s innings was the glue that held the order together, walking to the crease as early as the second over and walking off after 40 with his wicket intact.
Lutonian took regular scalps; led by Mehrab Khan’s 4-37, but they were left to rue a lacklustre batting display, as Ammad Saeed’s 47 high scored as part of Lutonian’s total of just 140.
Lutonian have lost both of their first two games after an opening weekend defeat against reigning champions, Luton Town and Indians.
Flitwick too strong for Biddenham
Another club who have lost their opening two league games are Biddenham, after they came unstuck against a strong Flitwick side who were able to recall some of their National Counties players.
One of those players was Nabil Moughal, who struck an unbeaten 146 batting at number three to take Flitwick to a strong total of 270/5, with Amarpal Singh taking a brace of wickets for Biddenham.
Their chase never gained any gusto, falling to 65/9 and only helped up to 143 thanks to some late blows from number 11 batter, James Gaul who top scored with 43 for Biddenham.
Moughal was also amongst the wickets with a brace of his own, while Flitwick captain, Nathan Healey led the way with 2-6.
Bedford CC, who beat Biddenham on the opening weekend, had a free week and return to action next Sunday (17 May) as they travel to Lutonian.
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Around the grounds
Queen’s Park Westfield 2nd XI began their Division One season on home turf at Allen Park, but lost out to Stony Stratford.
Batting first, Stony Stratford amassed 258/7 thanks in large to opener Jake Duxbury who carried his bat for an unbeaten 131; an innings that included 18 boundaries and a six.
Adil Ali picked up two wickets opening the bowling for Westfield, but their chase was punctured by regular wickets, and despite a late half-century from captain Madaser Yousaf, Queen’s Park fell 52 runs short.
In Division Two, Harrold’s Shaynan Patel made light work of a Dunstable Town 2nd XI total of 186, striking an exceptional unbeaten 130 from just 65 balls, with 11 boundaries and nine sixes.
It ensured they chased down their total inside 23 overs, after Charlie Gordon’s 4-39 had helped restrict Dunstable, while Patel also chipped in with 3-13 to cap a perfect all-round performance.
Harrold are second behind Olney Town.
Elstow maintained their perfect start in Division Three, picking up their second maximum point win in as many weeks with a 104-run triumph over Rising Stars Milton Keynes.
Alex Couling top scored with 84 not out, while Gurraj Galsin scored 60 for the second week running as Elstow galloped to 260/8; a total Milton Keynes never looked like getting close to, as Om Bhikadiya picked up six wickets for Elstow.
Queen’s Park Westfield 3rd XI were simple victors over Clifton in Division Four, bowling them out for 69 before sprinting to their target inside 14 overs, but Queen’s Park’s 4th XI lost heavily at Cranfield University after being bundled out for 44 in Division Five.
In Division Six, both Elstow 2nd XI and Kempston Hammers were both narrow losers against Olney Town 2nd XI and Offley and Stopsley respectively, while Harrold 2nd XI gained a concession victory at Flitwick 4th XI.
