Arbas leads the way as Hunts League batsmen blast multiple tons, plus Sam on song for Rutland Division One leaders
Arbas Nawaz was the big hitting hero as Nassington beat Bretton by 87 runs in a Hunts Division Two match on Saturday.
Nawaz opened the batting and was still there at the end of the innings on 173 not out, a knock that included five sixes and multiple other boundaries. Nassington’s 307-3 in 45 overs proved too many for Bretton once a big second wicket stand between captain Mark Drake (95) and Neil Buckingham (70), two former Peterborough Town players, had ended.
Adnan Latif also starred with a century as Sheikh 11 beat Biggleswade seconds by 176 runs in the same division. Latif struck a superb run-a-ball 124 which included 20 fours as Sheikh finished on 254-5 in their 45 overs. It was the 11th century of Latif’s career, but his first of the season for last summer’s Division Three champions. The home side were dismissed for a paltry 78 with Arbab Ali taking 5-22.
Nassington are up to second now, 20 points behind leaders Sawtry & Alconbury Weald who were beaten by 66 runs at Werrington for whom Ubaid Ur Rehman (60) and Virendra Singh (55) batted best in a total of 250-9.
In Division One Raghuvaran Pasupuleti struck 94 and Ajith Mandala bagged 5-30 as next-to-bottom Adidda sent Peterborough Knights packing by 119 runs and third-placed Hampton beat rock-bottom Huntingdon by 90 runs after a blistering 142 from opener Binoy Joseph (110 balls, 18 4s, 5 6s).
Division Three title contenders Barnack seconds and Peterborough Town thirds both won again. Mansour Sahak (4-25) and Husnain Tariq (53no) were the men in form for leaders Barnack who cruised past Bharat Sports seconds by nine wickets, while teenager Jos Walker smacked 136 not out (102 balls, 22 4s, 1 6) as Town rattled up 359-4 in 40 overs against Hampton seconds. Dilip Bharadwaj added a rapid 75 for Town who won by 124 runs despite an unbeaten 64 from Ahad Khan.
Whittlesey are third in Division Four after a six-wicket win at King’s Keys. Russ Cooper (72) and Matt Fisher (52) scored well for Whittlesey after an unbeaten 93 from Arslan Hussain had pushed the home side up to 232-9.
In Rutland Division One Newborough moved 26 points clear at the top after winning a high scoring contest at Barnack by seven wickets. Opener Sam Jarvis carried his bat for 107 for Newborough after Asim Butt’s 92 from 79 balls had enabled Barnack to reach 250.
Overseas star Pete Ruffell (83 & 3-12) was the all-round star of Burghley Park’s four-wicket win over Uffington and in Division Three Tim Juggins claimed 5-13 as Stamford Town rushed Benefield out for just 28 to set up an eight-wicket win.
Unluckiest batsman of the weekend was Newborough second team opener Jake Carlin who was 99 not out when his side were bowled out for 188 by Nassington, who went on to win by five wickets, in Division Five.