Brickhill remain in control with win over Long Marston

John Iqbal appeals on his way to his six wicket haul.

Six wicket hero Iqbal John was the undoubted star of the show for the home side, but his impact wasn’t felt until later in the day.

Put into bowl by the visitors, Brickhill started well with opening partnership Arjun Jhala (2-12) and George Humphries (1-51).

Bowling with good control, making the best of bad conditions for the swing bowling opening pair, they restricted Long Marston to less than 3 an over whilst taking early wickets.

The introduction of spin helped Brickhill continue their good work as Iqbal John (6-23) bowled superbly for the second week running with support from Ahad Khan (1-20) and Julian Blackwell.

Long Marston were bowled out for 130 inside of 43 overs leaving Brickhill with a seemingly simple chase.

A flamboyant Mark Nelson gave Brickhill the momentum that is so often needed in a low run chase however wickets fell regularly soon after he was dismissed for 27.

As Long Marston bowled in dry areas and picked up regular wickets, 130 seemed further and further away.

Douglas Aris and George Morris provided a useful partnership but runs were hard to come by and once Morris fell things were looking worrying for Brickhill.

At 72-7 the arrival of Ahad Khan (11*) was the turning point, showing great composure in an immensely high pressure situation, the 16 year old batted positively to support Aris’ superb match winning 47 not out.

The latter showing the tremendous amount of determination and patience that was needed to get Brickhill over the line, seven down, for a fourth consecutive win.

And it was more good news for Great Brickhill 2nds as they took remain top of Division 4 with a six wicket win over Chearsley.

The home side threatened to make a game of it despite losing a handful of early wickets, especially with opener James Veness hitting 55 at the top.

However, Drew Burrows looked in formidable shape as he tore through the middle order on his way to figures of 6-37, leaving the homeside back in the hutch with 146 runs to their name,

Brickhill’s reply got off to a superb start, and put them into a fine position to take victory.

Patrick Sreenivasaprasad led the way with a superb 73 at the top of the order, able backed up partner Richard Winchester who contributed an unbeaten 47.

Despite three wickets for Edward Holland to make things a bit more tasty towards the end, Brickhill were comfortably home on 150-4 in 25.1 overs.