North Enfield Cricket Club picked up their first victory of the season on Sunday, after falling to an agonising defeat the day before.
The club’s Friendly XI chased 78 to win at North Weald by six wickets, but lost by five runs in their first home fixture of the season against Southgate Compton.
At North Weald, an outstanding bowling performance saw North Enfield finish the contest, before it really began, as they bowled the hosts out for just 77.
After opting to bat first, North Weald slipped to 5 - 2 early on, with Derrick Sanders (2 - 9) and Ben Greenfield (3 - 6) taking two wickets in two balls.
A further wicket for Sanders and two for Greenfield compounded the hosts’ problems, as they slipped to 16 - 5 and were in dire straits.
Although a 34 run partnership for the sixth wicket briefly threatened North Enfield’s dominance, once captain Abbie Jones (1 - 13) had ended it, the visitors’ procession through the North Weald batting line up continued.
Two wickets apiece for David Malleson (2 - 13) and Michael Hovermill (2 - 5) finished off the hosts’ innings with 8.2 overs remaining.
Despite the early loss of William Munt (5), Ishan Tilakaratna’s 29 from only 17 deliveries and 13 from Otis Halley propelled North Enfield past 50 and towards an early finish.
Although both fell and Freddie Pearson (4) was caught with 19 more runs required for victory, Andrew Pearson (12*) calmed any momentary nerves and Hovermill’s explosive cameo of 13* powered them to the finish.
A day earlier, North Enfield came up just short in their chase of 221 to beat Southgate Compton at Strayfield Road.
Despite Tilakaratna making 46 and father Atula contributing 59, it appeared as if they would fall well short at 136 - 6.
An entertaining cameo of 42* from Hovermill on his debut for the club though gave them belief and they entered the final over requiring nine for a famous victory.
Last man Oliver Munt (1) was run out attempting to keep Hovermill on strike, meaning the hosts fell cruelly short by five runs.
Next up for North Enfield are the visits of Nomads and Stage next weekend.
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