TJF

UKCCC THROUGH TO SEMI FINALS.

UKCCC moved into the semi finals of the Murto Cup with a victory over PGCC on Saturday at the Victoria Stadium, but they were made to fight all the way.   Highlights of the match were a third wicket partnership of 162 by Gautam Prabhu and Srikanth Krishnaswamy for PGCC and a match winning innings of 78 by Will Gilbert of UKCCC.

PGCC recover from poor start.

PGCC won the toss, opted to bat first, and lost their first two wickets with only fifteen runs on the boards.     At that point Prabhu joined Krishnaswamy, who had opened the innings, and they proceeded to stage a remarkable recovery as they defied all efforts by the UKCCC attack to dislodge them.    However, runs were slow in coming and at the 20 overs stage the total had only moved on to 76.    This was to change dramatically after the drinks break as Prabhu, in particular, punished any loose deliveries coming his way, and he duly reached three figures before falling five overs from the end.    Krishnaswamy carried his bat for the full forty overs ending on 62 not out, PGCC’s final total being 205/4.

UKCCC romp home with overs to spare.

UKCCC lost the wicket of Shaun Ainsworth with the total on 23, after which young Brian Zammitt kept Gilbert company as a further 46 runs were added.   When Zammitt was caught behind, Nick Taylor joined Gilbert and these two put UKCCC well on the way to victory with a stand of 62.     Gilbert eventually went for 78 and Taylor for 24, but by then the asking rate was well within the batting side’s grasp and although they managed to lose a further two wickets, their target was reached in the 34^th. over.    Prabhu rounded off a good afternoon’s work with three wickets and two catches.

Next Week.

With the Under Nineteens setting off for Scotland to participate in the World Cup Qualifying Series next Sunday, there are no domestic fixtures schedules for next week-end.                                                                                     -TJF.