Shelley's bowling is poetry in motion 

4:12pm Thursday 22nd July 2004

Shenley Village 87-6 (25 overs)

Old Albanians 83 all out (44.2 overs)

Saracens Herts League Division Six Shenley Village were asked to bowl first when they played away at Old Albanians.

Their openers bowled very tightly and the batting team struggled for runs. Ron Brown bowled an explosive opening spell and caused constant problems for the Albanians batsmen.

But it was Shelley who did the most damage, as he took 4-33 from 17 overs. The bowlers were backed up by one of Shenley's best fielding displays of the season.

Lloyd Willingham delivered an economical six overs, but it was the introduction of off-spinner Jemile Al-Darragi (3-94-9-3) and Brown (3-1412-14-3), coming back for his second spell, that accounted for the Albanians' lower order.

Shenley, chasing a mere 84 to win, opened with Richard Evans and Rishi Kotecha. Kotecha was unluckily given out LBW facing his first delivery and when Gareth Brown and Al-Darragi both went cheaply, Shenley were wobbling on a tricky batting track.

Evans stood firm, however, and scored a crucial 34, before eventually being dismissed with the score on 57 after 21 overs.

The victory target was in sight and although Willingham and Brown were both dismissed, some lusty blows from Steve Scott (14 not out) calmed Shenley's nerves. They eased home with four wickets to spare, securing 30 vital points in their quest for promotion.

Shenley Village will look to replicate that display when they face UCA at home on Saturday.

SHENLEY VILLAGE: Evans, Kotecha, G Brown, Al-Darragi, Willingham, R Brown, Scott, Lewis, Gajjar, Shelley, Blackman.

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