Edgware beaten despite Hosty's maiden hundred

A maiden century for captain Ciaran Hosty was not enough for Edgware as they suffered a 47-run defeat at the hands of Kew Cricket Club in what was one of the hottest days of the year so far.

Kew, having won the toss, unsurprisingly chose to bat first as the air temperature rose to 33 degrees centigrade and their openers didn't disappoint, quickly racing to 70-0 off the first 10 overs. However, the introduction of the medium pace duo Jude Saverus and Vidanda Galgamuwa seemed to do the trick as Jude reduced both openers for 41 and 36 respectively. An exceptional run out from Rahul Kothari then followed as the hosts lost a third wicket in quick succession to fall to 103-3 at drinks.

Three soon became four as wicket-keeper Peter Berg was then caught at cover by Ciaran Hosty off the tidy bowling of Vidanda Galgamuwa for 10. Next to go was Kew's number three, who after being dropped an incredible 5 times, was finally bowled by Ananya Dixit, one of his three wickets for the day. Edgware then continued to take steady wickets throughout the innings, but a fine knock from Kidron Thomas, 63 not out, boosted Kew to a very strong 252-8 off their allotted 40 overs.

Edgware's reply didn't get off to the best start as they lost opener Shuraj Vekaria, in form Sajith Sriwickramasekaran and wicket-keeper Hishaam Junaideen for 3,1 and 0 respectively, reducing the visitors to 42-3. Things got worse when Rahul Kothari, who had played nicely for his 10, was bowled by Kidron Thomas and this was followed 8 balls later by Dharmish Bhatt who was bowled for 1.

However, a 62 run partnership between Ciaran Hosty and Jude Saverus recovered the innings from 64-5 to 126-6, before the latter was bowled from the spin of Roger Blitz for 6. Ciaran Hosty looked increasingly composed at the crease however, as he and Vidanda Galgamuwa put on a further 40 for the 7th wicket before Vidanda was smartly caught behind by the impressive wicket-keeper standing up to the fast bowler, Richard Boardman.

With the total looking increasingly out of sight, Edgware looked to sit in and bat 40 overs and Ciaran Hosty cut his way to a maiden hundred, brought up off 131 deliveries. Edgware eventually ended on 205-7 off 40 overs, 47 runs short of the total.

The team gather in 2 weeks time as they take on Greenwood Park in the Chess Valley League, in what will be a first v second affair.