In a closely contested match, Old Elizabethans 3rd XI secured a hard-fought 20-run victory over Cheshunt Rosedale on Saturday.

After being put in to bat, OEs found themselves in early trouble, losing wickets steadily throughout the top and middle order. Kirit Shah anchored the innings with a well-made 30 off 59 balls, featuring a handful of his trademark lusty blows over mid-on. A middle-order collapse brought Praveen Roshan Dsouza and Jack Scott together at 87-8, and the pair delivered under pressure. They added a crucial 52-run stand for the ninth wicket—Praveen leading the charge with a brisk 31 from 31 balls, while Jack chipped in with a valuable 18. The side were eventually dismissed for 148, giving their bowlers a fighting chance.

Chasing 149, Cheshunt Rosedale’s reply closely mirrored OE’s innings. Preetham struck with his first delivery and quickly ripped through the top order, claiming three wickets in his opening four overs to leave the hosts reeling. Skipper Mani (2-31) and Kirit (2-25) tightened the screws through the middle, their combined 16 overs conceding just 56 runs while picking up four key wickets.

As the match edged into the final overs and Cheshunt mounted a late fightback, Preetham returned to remove a well-set batsman and finished with excellent figures of 4-27. The final two wickets came courtesy of Jimmy—one being a bizarre hit-wicket after the batter stepped back onto his stumps following a boundary. The fielders were sharp throughout, with excellent work in the deep from Zahir and a brilliant diving catch in the gully by Asim capping off a committed team effort.

Cheshunt were eventually bowled out for 128, falling 20 runs short in a tightly contested match that swung both ways.

Player of the match: Kirit for the platform he set with the bat and his excellent bowling #comeonyoueees