Star look for new players

9:48am Thursday 19th June 2003

Shenley Village claimed top spot in Division Seven on Saturday with a big victory over struggling Watford Town II.

The win leaves them eleven points clear of Old Owens.

Shenley captain Matt Woodward lost the toss for the fifth consecutive time and was surprised to be inserted on a wicket that looked as if it held precious little for the bowlers. This proved to be the case and Village openers Richard Evans and Jemile Al-Darraji set about compiling a convincing opening stand.

They were in sight of their second successive century partnership when Evans was caught for 22 with the score at 80 in the 19th over. Rahul Gajjar came to join Al-Darraji, who had decided to up the tempo, duly recording his 50 in the 21st over. Once Gajjar had played himself in, the runs really started to flow he soon shot to 50 and and Al-Darraji hit his first league hundred for the club.

Al-Daraji eventually perished for 110, spooning a chance into the covers, with the score at a commanding 226-3. Watching the run feast proved too much for Vernon Senanayake who was run out for just a single. Gajjar was the next man out for 84 but the damage had been done, it just took some hitting from the middle order to post 280 and a declaration in the 49th over.

Without regular opening bowler Jon Haley and Watford Town requiring a challenging five and a half runs an over, Woodward took the unusual decision of opening the bowling himself using the old ball to bowl off-spin.

This proved a good tactic when he claimed two wickets in his first spell to leave the visitors 40-3 in the tenth over including the vital wicket of Simon Sampat.

The new ball was taken and Rahul Gajjar bowled ten overs of medium pace to finish with 1-38 while regular opener Ed Lillywhite took the next two wickets to fall before he was smashed out of the attack by the dangerous Waqus.

The score had crept into three figures but the run chase never really looked on, with wickets falling too regularly. When Waqus was removed for a hard-hitting 45 most of the firepower had gone.

Bringing himself back into the attack Woodward mopped up the tail to finish with 6-40 from 12 overs, including three in four balls.

Shenley make the trip up to Flitwick to see if they can extend their unbeaten run to eight games next Saturday. SHENLEY VILLAGE: Matt Woodward (Capt), Richard Evans, Will Hodge, Vernon Senanayake, Dave Affleck, Tom Blackman (wk), Rahul Gajjar, Jemile Al-Darraji, Ed Lillywhite, Phil Tunstall.

Shenley Village 283-4 Watford Town II 144 all out Saracens Hertfordshire League Division Seven

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