Old Mid-Whitgiftians earn derby win

Bangladeshi spinner Jamal Babu returned best figures of 8 for 37 as Old Mid-Whitgiftian kept themselves in promotion contention with victory over Old Whitgiftians in the South Croydon derby.

After winning the toss and inserting their visitors, OWs drew first blood by removing Gary Butcher in the sixth over.

Andy Bennett and Jesse James put Mids on top with a second wicket stand of 86 before James was caught at slip.

A run of five consecutive maidens followed and the resultant pressure deservedly bought OWs the wicket of Bennett who was caught at point for 41.

McSherry soon followed, but a combination of good striking and quick running from Robert Warne and Richard Piggin put Mids back in the ascendancy.

Warne's good form continued as he finished unbeaten on 53 while Piggin was not out on 30 when Mids declared after 52 overs on 201 for 4.

Shehan De Silva and David Ward looked in ominous form at the start of OWs' reply.

But Ward was caught by Barnes in the deep off the bowling of Babu for 20 and De Silva departed soon after.

Winson was the third man to go, caught and bowled by Babu, who then bowled Uszko moments later.

Ali Raja added 37 with Alex Goward for the fifth wicket.

Gary Butcher dismissed Goward and Sean Coughlan in the space of three balls to put Mids on course for victory.

Raja continued to play aggressively, reaching his half-century off just 47 balls before finally playing on to Babu for 51.

The tail then succumbed quickly to Babu as Mids wrapped up a fine victory.

Mids remain 12 points adrift of second-placed Purley with two matches to go.