North Enfield Cricket Club II vs St Albans IV & Friendly XI vs Fives (H) - Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th May 2025

North Enfield Cricket Club fell just short in two large run chases over the course of the weekend, as the runs flowed at Strayfield Road.

The club’s 2^nd XI ended up 30 runs shy of St Alban’s 244 - 7 on Saturday, whilst the Friendly XI were just nine runs short of Fives’ 282 - 6 on Sunday.

The 2^nd XI made a solid start in their imposing run chase on Saturday, reaching 57 - 1 and 115 - 2 as they largely managed to keep up with the required run rate.

However, some tidy St Albans bowling and the fall of a cluster of wickets towards the backend meant that the chase ultimately proved to be too much for North Enfield, despite Garry Orton finishing aggressively with 41*.

North Enfield had started well with the ball and were more than in the game thanks to two wickets in the space of three balls from Otis Halley.

An attacking half century from the St Albans number four and some lower order hitting though saw St Albans pull away at the end, despite Orton claiming three wickets, and ultimately allowed them to post an unassailable total as North Enfield finished on 214 - 9.

North Enfield also made a great fist of chasing 283 on Sunday, despite eventually falling nine runs short.

Ishan Tilakaratna (36) helped them get off to a fast start in an opening partnership of 69 with William Munt (52), whilst Chris Gillman and Orton then managed to keep them in touch with the hefty run rate.

Both passed 50 and threatened to lead North Enfield to a famous victory, only to fall for 88 and 66 respectively, as the required run rate continued to climb.

An endeavoured finish from Abbie Jones (13) and the rest of the lower middle order saw the hosts continue to push right to the end, but they ultimately ended on 273 - 6.

The match against Fives also saw a chance for one of the opposition’s players to return to Strayfield Road for the first time since suffering a heart attack at the same ground a year ago.

Kishore Kumar Kandlakunta was reunited with Andy Bathie, who played a key role in defibrillating him before paramedics arrived, as his recovery continues.

Elsewhere, North Enfield’s 1^st XI fell to a 208 run loss away at Flamstead on Saturday.