Edgware secure promotion in frantic final day

Edgware secured a third successive Saturday League promotion after beating Batchworth on a frantic final day in the Hertfordshire Saturday Cricket League.

Edgware needed to beat Batchworth on the final day and Chorleywood (who sat in 2nd place in Division 10W) needed to lose to ensure Edgware would be promoted as the best 2nd place finish in Division 10. As Chorleywood crumbled to a 6-wicket defeat against Lutonians in which they were bowled out for just 65, Edgware secured a comprehensive, albeit nervy, 33-run win against rivals Batchworth.

Having been asked to bat, Edgware stumbled their way to 79-3 having lost their two openers cheaply. However, a hard-hitting 44 from Jaimin Patel and a resilient 79 from Ash Balkaran propelled Edgware towards a very competitive 198 off their 40 overs. Edgware with the ball, were as they have been all season, consistent and probing. Early wickets once again fell to Dean Veerapen and Raj Parmar who reduced the hosts to 27-3. Prashant Pindolia and Joseph Ogbimi continued the good work to reduce Batchworth further to 67-5 before a nagging 8th wicket partnership between Waseem Khan and Asankanthn Moonammalle took Batchworth close and produced some nerves in the Edgware camp on a uneven outfield.

However, Edgware's bowlers took the upper hand in the closing stages as the required run rate surged and two late run-outs by Dean Veerapen and Ciaran Hosty secured a famous win for the boys in blue.

Edgware are now expecting to play Division 9 cricket in 2025 subject to any league restructuring.

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