Town C.C. Reach County Cup Final

August proved to be another splendid month for Syston Town C.C. The 1st XI have now guaranteed promotion back to the Premier Division in 2023 and the team has reached the County Cup final for the first time ever. The County Cup semi-final was an amazing match. Rothley Park arrived with all their stars but Syston tore into them from the start. Opening bowlers Asif Mai and George Corbett made the initial breakthrough then the Pardesi brothers, Mo and Bilal, both took 3-10 as Rothley were dismissed for just 65. Syston wobbled a bit as they chased the low target but Umar Razzaq (31) saw them home to reach the final which will be at Grace Road on 18th September against Sileby Town.
In the league the 1st XI won a further five matches in a row. Mo Pardesi took 5-40 against Loughborough with Mo Salejee (61) and Charlie Taylor (65) knocking off the runs. Liam O’Farrell hit 62 and Abrar Pathan 67 against Houghton and skipper Ram Ghuman took the bowling honours with 5-25. In form Liam made 85, Asad Pathan 77 and Ram Ghuman 76 not out against Electricity Sports and spinners Mo Pardesi and Zahir Taher shared the wickets. Charlie Taylor (pictured) scored his first century for the 1st XI against Kibworth and Syston’s spinners eventually broke through to win a close game. Ivanhoe 2nd XI were beaten by 6 wickets with Zahir Taher taking 3-29 and Abrar Pathan (48 not out) and Ram Ghuman (45) knocking off the runs.
The 2nd XI have turned their fortunes around winning four of their last five matches. Leicester Caribbean were beaten by 62 runs with Chirag Modi hitting 65 not out and Umar Razzaq 44. Defeat against Langtons followed but tight bowling in the next match saw Maher Stars beaten by 8 wickets with skipper Henry Whait (89 not out) seeing his team home. Victory over Kibworth 3rd XI followed with Ketan Dudharejia the star of the show taking 4-49 and scoring 58. Leicester University Staff were then well beaten with Umar Razzaq making 86 and Henry Whait 63 and Joe Storer bowling very fast to take 4-6.
The Sunday XI continued their topsy turvy season. They won a splendid game they thought they had lost against Buckminster. Syston set a modest target of 152-9 and Buckminster seemed well on the way to victory until Amar Supra with 3-23 changed the game and Syston got home to win by 16 runs. Against Barkby however, chasing a target of 235, they were all out for 177 despite a solid 66 from Paddy Oakman.
Roger Pole