Runs galore but points at a premium on opening weekend

The runs flowed on the opening weekend of the MCCL season but we found points slightly harder to come by as the 2025 campaign began under glorious sunshine.

Leading the Brentham charge on the opening weekend were the 3s, under stand-in captain Matthew Plews.

Batting first on a spicy deck against Actonians, the 3s knew that any total in three figures gave them a chance. And that’s exactly what they got thanks to patient contributions right down the order from Plews (17), Pratyesh Desai (22), Vijay Pamu (14) and Chris Jones (15).

Defending 124, Brentham took control from the off with the ball. Jones (2-17) and Ranveer Singh (2-8) reduced Actonians to 25-4 before the introduction of spin decisively turned the game in our favour.

Returning overseas Jayraj Jadeja (2-17) picked up where he left off last season, but it was Vinay Khetia who stole the show with 4-24.

In the end Actonians were dismissed for 88, 35 short of their total.

Next up for the 3s is a home game against Harrow Town at William Perkin.

Life back in Division Two for the 1s began with a 45-run defeat but there were plenty of positives to take from the home game with Eastcote.

Bowling first, the 1s made early inroads to reduce the visitors to 26-2. And it could have got better as a good LBW and run-out shout were turned down against Ronald Ettienne.

However, he survived and then went on to unleash a devastating assault on the Brentham bowling, smashing 163 off 105 balls as Eastcote ended on 282/9 from their 45.

Overseas Cody Pyne (3-55), Harry Marston (2-38), Yogesh Prabhu (1-34), and James Dunn (1-49) shared the wickets as well as two run-outs.

In reply, Majed Ali (59) and Lucas Smith (26) got us off to a lightning start. However, from 92-0 after 12, the Trees fell to 116-5 as the scoreboard pressure told.

Captain Jack Solomon (40) and Louie Millman (33) kept the runs flowing, helping us up to a creditable 237-9 off our 45.

On Saturday the 1s head to the scene of last-year’s promotion celebrations, London Tigers.

The 2s also narrowly came out on the wrong end of a high scoring affair, falling 52 short against Twickenham on the Green.

Saad Rehman’s side picked up wickets at regular intervals but were never able to gain control as the home side posted 276-8 in their 45 overs.

Faiz Khan (2-34), Siddhanth Kothari (2-51), Henaksh Surve (1-27), Dhiraj Khullar (1-29), and Tom Barry (1-42) were all among the wickets.

In reply, the 2s had lost their top three by the time the score had reached 46. However, the next seven bats all made it into double figures, keeping hopes of a memorable chase alive.

Ultimately though, the task proved too much as the 2s were bowled out for 224 with 15 balls to spare; Khullar (45), Meet Goswami (36), and Pravin Jadhav (31) the main contributors to the Trees total.

A visit from Eastcote is on the agenda for the 2s this weekend.

The 4s were also involved in a high scoring opener, losing by 38 runs at home to Chiswick.

Richard Taper (3-26) and Yogesh Solanki (0-26) provided excellent control at the top of the innings but Chiswick were able to build around three 30+ scores down the order to end up on a very competitive 212-8.

Errol Vales (2-44), Abdul Shukkoor (2-70), and Usama Qamar (3-19) took the other Brentham wickets.

The chase started badly with four of the top five out in single figures. Resistance was given by Shukkoor (36), Usama Mustafa (36), Solanki (27), and Vales (19) but the start proved too much to overcome. Brentham eventually all out for 174 in the 42nd over.

With Osterley’s removal from the MCCL, the 4s are without a league fixture this weekend.

On Sunday, Brentham recorded a 122-run victory over Aldenham in a friendly.

Meet Goswami was the star of Brentham’s 254-8 with a superb 130 while the wickets were shared around all the bowlers in Aldenham’s reply of 122 all-out at Meadvale Road.