Cricket: Goodmayes see off Barking in local derby

15 July 2010

Goodmayes & Blythswood 198-2 beat Barking 192-9 by eight wickets

GOODMAYES & BLYTHSWOOD captain Mark Embery hailed the batting performances of Adam Sheekey and Avdhut Chandane after they propelled the team to victory against Barking on Saturday.

The home side had restricted their guests to 192-9, leaving them with a very achievable total to chase down. Sheekey and Chandane took up the challenge and almost singled-handedly devoured the Barking score.

"Adam has been fantastic for us so far this season," said Embery.

"Not only has he scored so many runs for us, but he's really led by example.

"And the young lad Avdhut has come in and done brilliantly, They both batted tremendously well on Saturday.

"They never looked in danger of going out until the end and by that point the game was already won."

Embery was less enthused with his team's bowling performance, but praised the fielding display.

"We lost the week before to Leyton County which was a very disappointing result so I'm pleased we bounced back against Barking.

"We lost the toss and went into the field first, which was really hard work in the heat, but we managed to keep their score down and won convincingly.

"We didn't bowl very well, I think our bowlers got tired quickly in the heat, but our fielding was really good. This was a good win and has put us third in the league."

Barking went into bat led by opener Tom Tuit, who looked commanding at the crease with a score of 54, but barring the support of Keval Patel (29) there was little to enthuse about their batting performance in 45 overs.

Kevin Livingston, Zahid Habib and Russell Richards all took two wickets apiece as the away side finished on 192.

It took the home side just 29 overs to secure victory with Sheekey (65) and Chandane (71) leading the charge.

Russell Richards (12) and S Khawaja (2) finished off the job as Goodmayes & Blythswood won by eight wickets.

On Saturday, Embery's men take on the Division One leaders of the Lords International League - Hawks. Hubert Ryan's team are unbeaten in the league and have won nine of their 11 games.

Hawks beat Goodmayes & Blythswood on the opening day of the season by 63 runs and Embery is out for revenge.

"Hawks are a top of the league and rightly so. They're extremely strong, but I firmly believe on our day we're capable of beating anyone in this league," said the skipper.

"It's going to be tough because they're a very good side, but I think we can do it if everyone performs to the best of their ability.