Rameez's super century lights up dull draw

Harrison Ward 59

RAMEEZ Raja's second century of the season for leaders Horspath lit up a dull draw at second-placed Buckingham Town in Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Division 2. Raja hit a brilliant 108 off 99 balls with four sixes and 12 fours to take Horspath to 256-9 from 58 overs, with Harrison Ward weighing in with a well-constructed 59.

But Buckingham then made no attempt to go for the runs, closing on 166-5 from 55 overs.

Horspath found it hard work early on after the hosts had put them in to bat, losing openers Robbie Eason and Jamie Stead to catches by Jack Parish off William Thompson and Callum Price respectively to make it 33-2. Jimmy Phillips and Rameez took the score to 78, before the former fell lbw to Thompson for 20.

Rameez and Ward then got on top of the Buckingham attack, putting on 129 for the fourth wicket. The former Pakistan Twenty20 international's class shone through, although he had a stroke of fortune on 98 as he went to a hundred with a boundary from a dropped catch. His terrific innings came to an end shortly afterwards when he was bowled by Parish, who then dismissed Adam Price in similar fashion, but only after the left-hander had smashed 23 off 14 balls with two sixes.

After a slow start, Ward had played very positively while riding his luck at times to make his runs from 97 deliveries with three sixes and three fours when he was caught by Simon Myatt off Thompson, making it 239-6. Pat Foster and skipper Will Eason were caught behind by Jonny Cater off Thompson and Parish respectively, before Lloyd Belcher was caught by Rob Large off Thompson, who finished with 5-84, while Parish picked up 3-94.

Buckingham had 20 on the board in reply when Large was caught by Belcher off Foster for 17. That brought Leigh Tomlinson to the crease and he set the tone for the innings, making a laborious 37 not out from 134 balls to ensure the game ended in a stalemate.

Price, who joined Foster in bowling excellent spells, made it 28-2 when he had Steven Brunning caught by Green. Foster struck again when Robbie Eason snapped up Cater for 31, before Belcher picked up the wickets of Ashley Pearson and Price courtesy of catches by Stead and Ward respectively to make it 122-5.

But with no life in the pitch that was as good as it got for Horspath as Parish joined Tomlinson to contribute an unbeaten 40 from as many balls and secure a draw. Despite dominating the game, Horspath picked up only three more points than their rivals. However, it sees them extend lead at the top over Buckingham to 21 points.

Posted by: Russ