Malden Wanderers 179-9 beat Chingford 148 all out by 31 runs

Chingford's dream of a day out at the Oval came to a valiant end against top class opposition on Sunday, writes Mick Melbourne.

To reduce the home side to 104-8 after 40 overs was a marvellous performance bought about by some exceptional bowling and fielding.

However, the ninth wicket pair added 59 in eight overs and the last wicket put on 14 runs -- a late rally that ultimately turned the game away from the Forest Siders.

Even so, Chingford would have settled for restricting Malden to a total of 179-9 in their 50 overs.

Malden included four professionals in their team, including Surrey opener Ian Ward and Greg Kennis, who has recently scored two centuries for Somerset seconds.

Rizwan Akram and Tariq Mahmood got Chingford off to a good start with 39 runs from the first 10 overs and a famous victory looked possible.

However, Akram went, closely followed by James Hill. Tariq Mahmood (31) and Richard Alston (30) sought to repair the damage but could only manage 35 runs in 19 overs against the spinners.

By now the run rate required had increased from the initial 3.5 per over to six and this proved too much of a mountain to climb.

The end came quickly as Chingford's lower order faded away and it was a sad dressing room after the game. To add to Chingford's woe, star bowler Jonathan Dyers sustained a serious hamstring injury, which is likely to bring his season to an end.

Spokesman Jeff Runciman said afterwards: "We had two opportunities to win this match.

"Firstly when we had them at 108-4 and then when our excessive caution with the bat put us too far behind the required run rate.

"However, I think Malden will be wondering just how they managed to win!"

Remarkably, Chingford missed the thunderstorms on Saturday and came close to recording a much needed victory in their fight against relegation against Gidea Park.

Put into bat on a wet wicket, they were quickly reduced to 38-3 before rain caused a 20-minute break. This seemed to rejuvenate Gidea Park, as Russell Collard (66) and Derek Allen (43) shared a century stand in quick time.

Jon Dyers returned to break the partnership and then proceeded, with the help of Mohamed Safraz, to reduce Gidea Park to 185 all out. Dyers finished with an impressive 6-47.

Like Gidea Park, Chingford began badly, losing their first three wickets for only 50 runs.

Tariq Mahmood then batted well for his 37 before a fine partnership between Imran Mahmood (34) and Mohammed Safraz (62) took Chingford to the brink of a vital victory.

In the end, Andy Churchill, bowling unchanged, pegged Chingford back and took five wickets in the process.

Chingford were left needing a six off the last ball to win, a task that proved beyond them, but they did come very close to winning.

Chingford now have to pick themselves up for a tough finish to their league season and for this Sunday's League Cup semi-final against Fives and Heronians.

If Chingford do finish in the bottom half and miss out on the new Premier League, Runciman won't be too concerned as he, and many others at the club are not in favour of the 120-over matches which will start at 11.30am.

"Many players work Saturday mornings or have family commitments. How are they going to manage?

"Also it will mean that players will be reluctant to play both days over the weekend, so the Sunday sides will suffer.~

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