Old Southendians 193-3
Old Parkonians 189-a/o
(Division Three)

OLD Parkonians let slip a strong position as they crashed to an emphatic seven-wicket defeat at fellow old boys' Old Southendians on Saturday.

Parks' opening pair of James Foley and Bobby Curtis produced a brilliant opening stand of 124 at Southchurch Park to give the visitors a flying start.

Foley continued from his unbeaten 139 for the Sunday XI the previous week by hitting 82, with captain Curtis scoring 40. The hosts also dropped six catches in the opening salvo to give Parkonians the initiative.

From that promising position the tide turned against Parks as they then stumbled their way to just 189 all out from 49.3 overs, thanks to two suicidal run outs, with only Bilal Ashfaq (13) at number three making any real contribution after the opening partnership.

Dave Slaughter took 4-49 and Mike Gridley 4-54 for Old Souths and the visitors lackadaisical day was compounded by a five-run penalty against Hermes Solomonides for running down the middle of the wicket during his stay at the crease, which meant Souths were 5-0 up before their innings had began.

Despite all that had gone before, Parks started off well in their bowling stint as Shahid Maan (3-51) took three early wickets, but then Aaron Lucas (78 not out) and Kieran Hordan (74 not out) got together and saw Old Southendians to a comfortable win.