CRICKET: BABLAKE Old Boys failed to make use of their over allocation as they lost out by 29 runs to fellow mid-table side Aston Manor.
Bablake, currently in the bottom half of the league table – though comfortably clear of the relegation zone – couldn’t make the most of their home wicket advantage.
After winning the toss, Bablake chose to field on a day where many teams in the league struggled to go beyond the 240 mark.
Aston Manor made a solid start with openers David Yeend (34) and Recordo Gordon (33) building a solid foundation for the middle order to work with.
Their opening stand of 54 allowed Danial Chaudhry to swing the bat as Aston’s No.3 hit 38 runs from 44 balls. His innings included two sixes and progressed the visitors past the 100 mark.
Hopes of reaching the mid 200s took a blow though when Aston’s Adam Nevitt (7) and Russell Guy (5) failed to reach double figures.
Taimur Imran starred with the bat to hit 43* from 64 balls as Aston’s tailenders proved troublesome to Bablake’s bowlers, ending the innings on 214/8 – slightly below par.
Adil Hussain and Luke De Souza picked up three wickets a piece for the home side.
In reply, Bablake lost Luke De Souza (7) early on when just 12 runs were on the board.
Fellow opener Ross Arnold (12) failed to advance after playing himself in, meaning Bablake had to rely on their middle order if they were to challenge for the match.
Though Nathan Biggs hit 33, he lacked support as only skipper Joshua Manning could advance past 30 out of the remaining batsmen.
Wickets fell at regular intervals as Aston bowler Danial Chaudhry returned with standout figures of 26/4.
Bablake eventually fell short of their target when Zeeshan Aftab was bowled for a duck while his side were 29 runs short of victory.
