Outlaws outblast Magics in Surrey Slam
IL
Ian Lamont
21 May, 2018
Expectation was high for both sides on a sunny evening when Outwood Outlaws visited Merstham Magics in the Surrey Slam T20 competition.
Both teams had won their opening match in the competition and were hoping for another to take a grip on their group in the 60-team contest.
The visitors batted first and rattled off 78 in the opening seven overs and three players were forced to retire on 50 runs as Outwood amassed 205-3 in their 20 overs.
James Lowe bowled well, taking a wicket for 18 in four overs and Dilhan Jayamanne took the opening catch for the first wicket.
A good crowd, including the U14s and U15s training in the nets, watched on as the skies darkened and the storm clouds gathered.
A couple of early wickets in Merstham's reply left them struggling to match their big-hitting opponents. Gopa Nair struck some lovely deft shots on his way to 34 but the Magics were 54-4 at the halfway stage.
Ali Pervaiz, hero of the first victory with a 50, couldn't find the gaps this time and, like so many of his team-mates, was caught.
The Magics were well behind the run rate at 87-8 off 14 overs and were all out for 107 two overs later.
Merstham travel to South Nutfield in the next group game on June 6.