Teddington skipper eyes triple crown (From Elmbridge Guardian)

Teddington skipper eyes triple crown

12:32pm Thursday 29th July 2010

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Teddington skipper James Wade reckons his side have a good chance of enjoying a triple title winning season this year to silence the club’s old guard.

Wade’s men are just nine points behind league leaders Eastcote after Ben Duncan (63) and spinner Duncan Wood (8-36) ensured Wade’s men dispatched Finchley in the Middlesex County League Premier Division on Saturday.

Batsman Duncan then repeated the trick in controversial circumstances at Bickley on Sunday as his side reached the quarter-finals of the ECB National Knockout Cup.

Teddington, who have won eight of their last nine competitive games, are still in the Middlesex Cup and Wade reckons his side have the tools to secure silverware in his first season at the helm.

“When I took over the plan was just to win a trophy, which is something we haven’t done in my five years at the club,” he said.

“There are old boys at the club who keep reminding me they won the National Cup in the 90s.

“Now we’ve got a chance of winning all three competitions we are still involved in, so it would be good to keep them quiet with a trophy or two.

“Duncan Wood is our star player and with the pitches as dry as they are he is going to be nearly impossible to play, so we fancy ourselves.

“If we can get Ben to games sober he is a devastating and has shown what he is capable of. With both of them in the team we are a match for anyone.”

Duncan’s 63 on Saturday helped his side to what appeared to be a meagre 141 all out, before Wood cleaned up Finchley for just 78 to secure the spoils.

The batsman then guided Teddington - who had been reduced to 90 for seven - past Bickley’s 160 after the visitors were awarded six penalty runs for the hosts’ slow over-rate.

Twickenham’s recent good form took a turn for the worse when they slipped to a surprise home defeat Stanmore on the Green.

Overseas player Tom Meredith (107) hit his third league century of the summer to get his side to 208 all out, before the visitors recovered from 98 for five to win with four wickets to spare.

Richmond remained top of Division Two despite suffering a seven wicket defeat at Harrow on Saturday.

Jordan McLennan (56) and Nick Alexander (89) helped skipper Kevin Barrett’s men post a competitive 234 for nine, but the hosts responded with a 196-run partnership from Anant Brahmbhatt (113*) and Dave Walker (87) to win with time to spare.

In Division Three, Barnes lost their grip on second spot as they slipped to a losing draw at promotion rivals Highgate.

Tom Bruce’s unbeaten 125 helped his side to 219, but the hosts got four points - with nine wickets down - thanks to 88 from Edward Binns and 48 not out from skipper Craig Gourlay.

Fixtures: Brondesbury v Teddington, Shepherd’s Bush v Twickenham, Richmond v North Middlesex, Uxbridge v Barnes.

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