The Wanderers 1stXI came up just 10 runs short in its latest DSL Division 2 game away at Shahram CC on Saturday.
Having lost the toss, Shahram elected to bat first and stand in skipper Jack Luffman would have been delighted with his side's start with the ball as they reduced their hosts to 46-6. This was in the main to a fine opening spell form Kamran Shaheen who combined discipline with patience and was well awarded with three wickets in his four overs, costing just nine runs. Fellow opening bowler Clint Berkenshaw and Brannon Varley each claimed a wicket in this period of play also.
Fellow seamer Ben Quirk was then introduced and he showed his worth to the side bowling four tight overs and claiming two wickets and then came back to bowl his final over at the death.
Shahram were in trouble at 71-7 but a fine unbeaten 93 from the left handed Irfan anchored the rescue mission. He combined for a 50 run partnership with Waqar and then a rapid fire one of 58 with Asif Lara in the dying overs of the innings to set Wanderers 186 for victory.
The run chase got off to a blistering start in the shape of Luffman and Berkenshaw, who found the boundary on seven occasions in the opening two and a half overs. The score had raced to 30 before the latter fell to a fine catch at deep third man for 16. Luffman soon followed for 20.
However, the Wanderers were in a solid position throughout the middle part of the innings as Varley (24) and Dan Pawson (30) set a solid foundation and then it was Salik Shah who carried on that role once the former had been dismissed. Pawson was looking ominously dangerous before he was adjudged LBW.
Shah still had the innings under control but the regular fall of wickets at the other end, coupled with some fine death bowling meant, that despite his gutsy half century, the Wanderers finished its innings on 175-9.
They will look to return to winning ways on Saturday as they take on Mideast Metals at the Sevens, 1pm start.
On Sunday, the 2ndXI faced Solarwinds in Division 3 at the Sevens.
Fielding first, the Wandeeres stuck to their task manfully in some serious heat and in the face of another very strong side, who had many top level players within its ranks. None more so than the impressive Gul who took his side's score to a mammoth 223-7 with a destructive 83 from just 47 balls.
The seven bowlers used by captain Cam Coles, all worked tirelessly to keep the batters quiet and on another day a different story could have been written. Thinus Steyn was probably the pick with 2-39 from his five overs, while spinners Kushaan Sainani (1-26) and Aaron Cornish (2-45) were equally impressive.
The Wanderers' run chase never really materialised as they were eventually bowled out for 128. Ethan Dsouza (11), Kaviyan Elan (11), Cornish (16) and Steyn (19) all got starts but failed to go on and Dannie Rees, 21 from 19, and Coles 27 form 17 did their utmost to put the pressure on the bowling attack for their cameos but it just wasn't to be for a Wanderers side that included no less than six teenagers within its ranks - a sign of just what the club is trying to build so new into its lifespan.
The 2ndXI take on Jazba on Sunday, 1pm at The Sevens.
Kamran Shaheen claimed 3-9 for the 1stXI on Saturday.
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