Laguna, who were coming off the back of a good win against Thalang in the season opener were looking to maintain their good form. Meanwhile, the Village were looking to open their account with a win from their first start of the season.
Laguna dominated in the match scoring an impressive 268-6 from 35 overs while the Village fell short of the 1st innings points being bowled out for 134 in 38.1 overs.
Laguna got off to flying start, with opener’s Iqbal Malik (74) and Manish Sadarangani (34) putting on a 117 run opening stand before Malik was dismissed in the 12th over. Malik was particularly aggressive smashing 12 fours and 1 six from just 44 balls. Sameer Khan (55) then combined with Sadarangani and later with Arif Mushtaq (28) before he was dismissed in the 31st over with the score on 225-4. With a very defendable 1st innings total, Laguna pressed on with Roly Cooper (28 from 16 balls) boosting the score to 268-6 before they declared at the end of the 35th over, looking for a potential outright win. Pick of the bowlers for Village were Iain Cossard (2 for 46) and Olly Wingate (2 for 51).
The Village got off to a shaky start with opener Martin Platts retiring hurt after being struck on the chin in the 2nd over requiring a trip to hospital and 11 stitches. However, Mark Whetton (50) and Mike Khan (12) steadied the innings going to the first 10 over drinks break without further loss.
However shortly after, Khan was stumped with the score on 42. Whetton and Syed Hussain (41) then stifled the Laguna bowling attack until they eventually broke the partnership in the 30th over with Whetton trapped lbw with the score on 105-2.
Platts then returned to the middle (with helmet this time) but was dismissed shortly after. The Village innings then collapsed with the loss of 3 more wickets with no runs added with the score on 123.
Only 9 runs later, Manish Sadarangani struck in the 38th over securing a hat-trick, a first in the senior league, and the Village were all dismissed just one ball later at the start of the 39th over. Pick of the bowlers for Laguna were Manish Sadarangani (5 for 16) and Roly Cooper (2 for 20).
Laguna have now secured 2 wins from 2 starts and will be looking to continue their good form when matches resume after the Christmas and New Year break.
On Sunday (January 4), ICC are matched up against the Village in what is expected to be another cracker of a match.