Blistering century from Thimal sets up Langley Mill win

Sajendra Thimal racked up a terrific haul of 106 off just 67 balls to seal victory for Langley Mill at Walton-on-Trent in Marston’s Pedigree Division Two.
Langley Mill batsman Sajendra Thimal.Langley Mill batsman Sajendra Thimal.
Langley Mill batsman Sajendra Thimal.

The Millers made the long trip hoping to consolidate on last week’s last-gasp victory over Sawley and Long Eaton Park.

Walton’s skipper Jav Oomer won the toss and stuck the Millers into bat first.

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They started off at the usual pace of six runs an over with Lewis Pinder and Paul Bailey, before Pinder was well caught by Blackwell in the deep for 22.

Jamie Salmons then joined Bailey and the pair pushed the visitors towards 100 before both men fell within a couple of overs of each other.

Salmons (21) and then Bailey (27) both fell to the bowling skills of Oomer.

At this point the Millers where on 102-3 off 25 overs.

Thimal and Lacey then started off cautiously to settle the game down again before Thimal let rip.

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Hs powerful hitting was sending the bowlers to all parts of the ground.

Lacey (12) was then dismissed in the 31st over and Danny Hanson came in.

Along with Thimal, the duo took the visitors up to 200 at a rate of 10 runs per over.

Hanson (38) then fell victim to Williams but Langley Mill continued to destroy the Walton bowling.

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After 40 overs the Millers were 224-5 and looking to get around the 270 mark.

Thimal (106) fell trying to accelerate the innings, with his excellent knock including 14 fours and three sixes.

Tullett (16), Bacon (Nine*) and Holmes (Six) then helped push the Millers on but a quick 23 from eight balls by Jack Scott took the visitors to 301 off their 46 overs.

For Walton, Williams picked up 3-87 and there were two wickets apiece for Oomer and Blackwell.

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After tea the message was clear from the Millers’ skipper to attack and gain maximum points.

Alex Bacon, deputising for Scott Parkin, took this on board and ripped through the top order to reduce Walton to 21-3 off six overs.

Blackwell (47) and Hickman (22) then got into the game and this forced the Millers to change their thinking and take some pace off the ball.

As a result, Lacey and Thimal came on and both had an immediate impact as Walton spluttered their way from 97-3 to 100-6.

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The visitors were not short on bowling options or overs but knew they needed to wrap the game up sooner rather than later.

Home skipper Oomer (26) offered some resistance but Walton were eventually bowled out for 146 in the 34th over.

Lacey was the pick of the bowlers with 4-29, whilst Thimal and Bacon both picked up three wickets respectively.

This keeps the Millers in second place and just three points behind West Hallam, who also gained 27 points.

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The top of Marston’s Pedigree Division Two is shaping up to be a three-way tussle between Nutbrook, West Hallam and the Millers with both teams having to visit Langley Mill before the season is out.

Next weekend sees the Millers travel to Ockbrook (1.30pm) as the season enters the the final month.