Seddon’s century in vain as Falkland lose to Slough in Home Counties Cricket League

Falkland Cricket Club suffered a rare home defeat on Saturday as Slough came to Enborne Lodge.

The hosts won the toss and decided to bowl first.

This looked to be a shrewd decision, as Pavinder Bhachu was dismissed for just one run after eight balls.

Humza Ishaq and Saqlain Basharat did better, hitting 19 and 21 respectively.

Sahaan Sahaan, in at four, hoped to inject some fresh energy into the innings.

He did just that, hitting a speedy 34 from 36 balls to boost the total.

It was Vishnu Solanki however, who proved to be the biggest thorn in Falkland’s side.

He anchored the innings superbly, hitting thirteen fours and a six on his way to 84 from 73 balls.

He was eventually caught by Matt Bond, off the bowling of Bobby Brown, but the damage was done.

Brown had a good display with the ball, going 3-35.

Elliot Seddon had contrasting fortunes however, being smashed 1-94 as Slough declared on 260-8.

The response got off to a bad start.

Captain James Bird went for ten, while fellow opener Chris Baker fell for only five runs.

Ben Piper made eight, Seb Chapman went for five and Anthony Hennis fell for one.

Falkland were 38-5 after just thirteen overs, left praying for their middle order batsmen to bail them out.

Bobby Brown made a good fist of this, hitting 36 from 71, but it was his partner Seddon who made the biggest difference.

Seddon recovered from his torturous bowling spell by smashing a century, hitting fifteen fours and two sixes off just 85 balls.

It was a courageous effort, but after Seddon was bowled by Nadeem Syed LBW the innings fizzled out.

Falkland were bowled out for 190, handing Slough a 70 run victory.

The result leaves Falkland second from bottom and in the relegation zone, but this doesn’t tell the full story.

Things are tight in the Home Counties Cricket League Division Two, with Falkland only 20 points away from fourth and a win worth 25 points.

They can easily turn it around, and they’ll look to start at home to top-side Wokingham on Saturday.