Old Colfeians Vs Catford Cyphers

De Silva keeps cool as thirds stay top

Catford & Cyphers 3rd XI picked up another win, this time away at Old Colfeans. On a day when the mercury threatened 36 Celsius, Ramesh De Silva once again underlined his quality hitting his third century of the season.

The home side won the toss, and unsurprisingly chose to bat. Despite early inroads from the thirds opening partnership of Page and Benedict it quickly became apparent that 'Colfs had strengthened the side, following their mauling at Beckenham few weeks earlier. Despite losing their openers in quick succession the Old Colfs' moved up a gear as first Whitehead and then Boatman, bludgeoned, placed, skied, slashed and drove the score higher. One Andy Page over went for twenty-odd and the stand in skipper was forced to shuffle the bowling in an attempt to find a solution to the onslaught.

It certainly looked as if the home side would reach 300, however, Anil Udawatta struck removing Whitehead for 82 and then when Boatman went for the same score 'Colfs subsided to 251 all out in the final over their innings.

The thirds reply began poorly with Benedict out in the first over, chasing a wide delivery. However two senior campaigners, Richard Coles and Ramesh De Silva carefully rebuilt the innings. Their partnership of over a hundred built an important platform for the 'Cyphers reply. However, when Coles fell for 39, it brought Anil Undawatta to the crease with a further 120 required from the remaining 20 overs.

Once again Anil proved his ability as a Batsman in a chasing situation, cutting and driving imperiously. At the other end Ramesh continued to pummel anything short or wide. One scintillating over included consecutive cover drives of rare quality. His third century of the season included a number of sprightly threes as well as the odd sharp single - a rare treat.

When Ramesh fell with 20 odd required Anil helped steer the game home picking up another impressive fifty. In the end the side galloped home with overs to spare - a perfectly managed chase.

Three games to go, including next weekends encounter with challengers Blackheath. Its getting very tense at the top, but its certainly exciting.