Villagers storm towards title

4:39pm Wednesday 20th August 2003

Shenley Village visited struggling Northwood Town on Saturday and came away ten-wicket winners.

The villagers almost confirmed their promotion spot, although not mathematically, needing only six more points from their remaining two games. This like the third team will be the second consecutive season of advancement.

On a day when Northwood won the toss and elected to bat, stand in skipper Steve Scott opened with his two main bowlers Jon Haley (1 for 21) and Ed Lillywhite (1 for 44). Both restricted the runs and took a wicket in their spells of 10 and 17 overs respectively.

Scott (1 for 41) and Al-Darraji then took over and when Scott had removed another batsman it was the turn of Al-Darraji to turn the screw as he went on to take five wickets for 45 in his 17-over stint, proving he is not just a batsman for the side.

Northwood closed their innings being restricted to 157 for 8 in their allotted 53 overs after some excellent bowling and fielding.

In reply Shenley Village opened with last week’s ton merchant Vernon Senanayake and Richard Evans, and they set about the bowling attack facing them with some aplomb.

Senanayake played aggressively from the onset, and he was backed up with a mature attitude from the teenager Evans as they piled on the runs and made Northwood Town work hard in the field.

Senanayake certainly took the challenge to the opposition — he was soon past his 50 and went effortlessly on to his second hundred in two weeks by going on to smash 17 fours and two huge sixes in an almost chanceless 107 not out, whilst Evans went on to make 45 not out scoring seven fours along the way.

This 12th win of the season confirmed Shenley's push for promotion.

The divisional championship continues to be their goal, and that looks likely to be settled on the last day of the season when Shenley Village entertain Cavendish head to head at the Shenley Cricket Centre. SHENLEY VILLAGE: Senanayake, Evans, McDonald, Al Darraji, Scott (capt), Jenkins, Collopy, Hodge, Lillywhite, Haley, Blackman (wkt).

Shenley Village 159-0 Northwood Town II 157-8 Saracens Hertfordshire League Division Seven