Slough CC: Shahid Yousaf and Conrad Louth smack centuries to set up title decider

The league leaders posted a formidable 289-4 in their 50 overs, but then saw their hosts recover from 127-7 to finish on a respectable 249-9.

Earlier this year, Lincolnshire county star Louth looked all set to play for Finch after moving into the area and attending pre-season net practice at the club, only to make a shock move to league rivals Slough.

And he has played a big part in the club’s successful season, scoring more than 700 runs, including three centuries.

Yousaf has done marginally better, and is closing in on 800 runs in the league.

They were both in outstanding form as Slough sealed a victory, taking them on to the 281-point mark, eight ahead of second-placed Henley with two games left to play, with the title rivals clashing at Upton Park Court this Saturday.

Had Louth joined Finch, he would probably have skippered them last weekend as Dan Lincoln is now concentrating on his football with Bognor Regis.

Craig Hodges has assumed the captaincy of the side, who are now totally free of relegation concerns, and he made a brave decision to ask Slough to bat first on a cloudy morning.

He opened the attack with himself and Darren Augustus, but then gave way to Adam Dewes and the spinner bowled Daniyal Akhtar for 17.

Louth was joined by Lloyd Paternott and they saw the 100 up in 19 overs before the latter was run out for 19 by Greg Smith.

Louth and Yousaf both batted exceptionally well, taking the total from 103-2 to 219, when Louth was caught behind by Simon Bell off Augustus for 103, which came off 115 deliveries and contained two sixes and eight fours.

Yousaf went on to remain unbeaten on 106 (from 98 balls and included 14 boundaries) as Slough finished in a strong position at 289-4 from their 50 overs.

Conrad Louth clips the ball off his legs during his century against Finchampstead last weekend.

And the visitors further strengthened their grip on the game as they reduced Finchampstead to 20-4 in only seven overs with experienced seamer Ikhlaq Nawaz taking three wickets.

Ed Oliver and Bell put on 49 to improve matters slightly before Bell was run out for 25 in a mix-up with his partner.

Ryan Quinn (12) was bowled by Berkshire spinner Ali Raja at 81-6 and when Hodges was caught behind off Yousaf for 28 it was 127-7.

Slough’s victory march was held up by Oliver and Augustus, the pair lifting the total to 207, the stand ending when Oliver was bowled round his legs by Bobby Sher for an excellent 93, which came off 105 balls and contained three maximums and 10 fours.

When Augustus was caught at square leg off Sher for a 32-ball knock of 40, Finch were on 214 with their last pair at the crease and eight overs remaining.

But Zafar Ali and young James Woodford survived, making 15 and 20 respectively, to take the score to 249, enabling their side to emerge with some credit in defeat.

Slough 2nds took a major step towards Thames Valley League Division One safety after beating bottom side Henley 2nds by four wickets.

Charlie Homewood scored a fabulous 125 before becoming one of Uzair Majid’s (3-38) three victims as the visitors were bowled out for 235.

In reply, opener Ali Ahmed made 46, but Slough were wobbling till a match-winning seventh-wicket stand between Rahim Akhtar (50no) and Naveed Akhtar (52no) took them home with seven overs to spare and up to sixth in the table – 26 points above the relegation zone.

Sami Kazim made 67 as Slough 3rds (231-8) kept their outside Division 4b promotion hopes alive with a 39-run win against Hillingdon Manor (192).

A brilliant innings from Anand Vemuri proved pivotal for third-placed Slough 4ths as they beat Barnes Wild Geese by four wickets in Division 6a.

The home side were restricted to 199-9 in their 45 overs, and Vemuri’s unbeaten 74 guided Slough across the line to leave them just a point behind second-placed Wraysbury 2nds.

In Division 7b, third-placed Slough 5ths (204) beat Ruislip 2nds (142) by 62 runs.