LEEDS POLICE A RETAIN RESERVE EVENING CUP

27th July 2010

Leeds Police ‘A’ retained the Reserve Evening Cup, their second trophy in ten days, but were made to fight all the way by St Chads Broomfield B.

Having chosen to bat first ‘Police got off to a lightening start thanks to openers Bilal Mahmood (17) and Qaiser Iqbal (37), this despite a tight spell from Ravi Limbechaya. The loss of three wickets failed to stem the flow of runs Iqbal helping himself to three consecutive straight fours. His innings was ended when a sharp piece of fielding from skipper Paul Berry, saw him run out. Imran Ali held a fine catch in the deep to dismiss Ateeq Khan (18) but further contributions from Mo Zaref (23) and Zahid Khan (28) set a total of 150 for 6 for St Chads to chase.

Their reply started well and pressure told on the fielding side 40 runs coming of the first 5 overs, James Parsloe (18) being the main beneficiary. It needed a fine spell from Ateeq Khan (3/15) to swing the match in his sides favour. His dismissal of three top order batters for only two runs, one to an excellent ankle high catch of his own bowling, proved to be the defining moment in the match.  Ali Reza (2/14) and Zahid Khan (2/15) took wickets at regular intervals and tight fielding starved the chasers of the boundries they required. A late flurry and powerful hitting from Ewan Brannan (24), following up his (2/36) with the ball, kept the game alive but when he was bowled with the total on 120 it left Leeds Police ‘A’ winners by 30 runs.

Ateeq Khan collected the man of the match award his excellent contribution with the ball proving the difference when, in a contest between sides separated by 32 League places. for long periods there was little to choose between them.

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