On another warm, summer afternoon, Harlow turned up to the London Marathon Playing Fields for the second time this year needing to pick up a vital win. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Harlow’s openers started steadily while punishing anything loose. At 27-0, Harlow lost both openers in consecutive overs to leave them 2 down with 27 on the board.

Elliot Koopowitz and Muhammad Asim steadied the innings with a solid partnership before Muhammad Asim was dismissed for 32 courtesy of a brilliant catch in the covers. Runs were being scored but wickets fell just as batters began to settle and 33 overs in, Harlow looked in trouble at 132-6 when Elliot fell for an important 43 runs.

Some encouraging late scores from Nigel Forde (15) and an important partnership from young players Lawrence Forde (19*) and Oscar Syrett (9*) got Harlow up to a total of 176-7 from 40 overs which we thought was a good total on a challenging wicket.

Things started well with the ball when Lawrence Forde picked up a early breakthrough courtesy of one of the catches of the year when Jon Allen jumped up and caught it one handed to breakthrough early. Harlow bowled well and stuck to their lines but runs were flowing for the hosts. Lawrence Forde bowled another exceptional spell which put the pressure on them.

Unfortunately dropped catches and a number of close appeals not going Harlow’s way meant that Niranjan Thamarakulam (63*) and Mohamed Abuzar Nadeem (81*) took the hosts home to a 9 wicket victory. Harlow will look to bounce back in the last few games of the season where they will entertain 4 of the 5 bottom teams in the league and to start with is a massive game at home to Redbridge 3rd XI on Saturday who currently sit just 14 points above us.

Harlow 4XI 176-7 (40)

Elliot Koopowitz 43

Muhammad Asim 32

Wanstead and Snaresbrook 5XI 179-1 (32.1)

Lawrence Forde 1-25 (8)

Courtesy of Sam Robertson