Mixed Fortunes for Hammers Cricket Team

---

Brent forfeit, but Harrow triumph

Ben Smith, Captain of Hammersmith and Fulham cricket team The Hammers, reports on last Sunday's matches in the London T20 tournament, which sees teams from 12 London boroughs battling it out every Sunday for the top prize of over £12,000.

Over to Ben:

Early in the day, Hammers opponents Brent forfeited before a ball was bowled handing the Hammers an easy three points.

Not a bad start to the day as the Hammers would need every extra minute of sleep-in if they were to overcome the unbeaten Harrow franchise in the afternoon.

It was a family affair, as the Hammers fielded two players who were cousins to about half the Harrow side; whether this would hand them an advantage was yet to be seen.

The Hammers Captain won the toss and elected to bat on what was probably the best pitch played on so far in the tournament. The decision appeared to be the right one as the two openers Stephen Chipendale and Richard Lalor occupied the crease and kept the scoreboard ticking over.

A stand-out performance from Richard Lalor who played some classic cricket shots in his run-a-ball fifty and a late charge from Kevin Doyle helped the Hammers set a defendable, if a little low, target of 140 against some at times very quick and often very accurate Harrow bowling.

It was a vain hope that Harrow would be a team of bowlers as the Harrow batsmen dispatched ball after ball to the boundary, coming home with four overs and eight batsmen to spare.

With eight games now played, the Hammers are equal with Brent on 11 points, behind Kensington and Chelsea and Redbridge, both on 14 points and joint leaders Harrow and Barking and Dagenham, both with 20 points.

Ben adds: The Hammers look forward to Sunday, July 12 when they head north to Low Hall Sports Ground in Walthamstow facing up to Redbridge at midday and Greenwich at 3pm.

18th June 2009