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President's VIII beat Goodmayes by 7 wickets Goodmayes: 99 – 4 off
10 overs
Umar Mahmood 24
Presidents VIII: 102-0 off 7.3 overs
Omar Khan 35 not out
Rizwan Siddiqui 33 not out
Mohammaed Imran 2-0-0-21
After basking in Mediterranean conditions for a week it was no
surprise to seasoned followers of the Victoria Park Cricket league that come
the opening day of the fixture ….cometh the rain…..the cold…..the
wind….however the traditional season opener (between the President’s XIII
and the League Champions) was played and the match was completed with the
result a resounding victory for Mr Vandermark and his recruits by a margin
of 7 wickets.
Having won the toss and surveying the encroaching rain laden clouds Mohammed
Imran of Goodmayes had no hesitation in electing to bat. Rizwan Siddiqui of
Sky, who was captaining the President’s XIII, similarly had no hesitation in
commencing with spin from both ends, this was mainly to ensure his team had
a reasonable chance at batting some overs in the fast deteriorating weather
conditions which resulted in the match being reduced to 10 overs per side.
Tanjeem Chowdury of Island with the very first ball of the 2009 VPCCL season
struck the off stump and sent the Goodmayes opener back to the pavilion
however his opening partner Umer Mahmood (24)along with No 3 Zubair (18) set
about repairing the damage and put on a credible 30 in three overs before
Chowdury (3-0-25-2) struck again. Despite some lusty lower order hitting by
Khizer (15) and Alex (18) the Presidents XIII managed to stem the flow of
runs to just under 10 an over with Siddiqui (Sky) and Sam Dowsett (Island)
picking up a wicket apiece as Goodmayes concluded their innings of 10 overs
with 99 on the board for the loss of four wickets .
Despite the arrival of a heavy shower during the interval it was agreed to
play on and as the weather relented the President’s opening pair of Siddiqui
(33*) and Omar Khan (ELCC) 35* made light work of the target and had moved
the score onto 86-0 off 7 overs before both were forced to retire by the
constant barracking of their team mates demanding some batting action. The
following over the victory was completed with Tanjeem Chowdhury hitting the
winning runs.
So after defeating the 2007 double winners (Sky) at the 2008 season opener,
Mr Vandermark’s outstanding record in bringing champions quickly down to
earth is intact….and long may it continue….
Submitted by Rizwan Siddique of Sky
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