AN EXPLOSIVE half-century from Ghulam Rasool and a four-wicket haul for Chris Dobson highlighted a dominant display from Old Albanian at Totteridge Millhillians.

Stand-in skepper Mozammal Hayat won the toss and inserted Totteridge to start the day. His decision was vindicated with the hosts scoring 24 runs from the first 17 overs for the loss of two wickets.

Hayat and Khalil Rehman bowled tight opening spells and removed Sanjay Patnaik (4) and Hilton Nathanson (1).

Shahid Ali gave the innings some momentum, added 57 for the third wicket with opener Jeremy Graves before the latter fell to Dobson’s spin for 14.

This sparked a collapse as Ali (38) was superbly taken at slip at the second attempt by Alf Rehman, Mitesh Bhimjani (2) played on and skipper Vishal Bhimjani became the second slip catch for Rehman.

The score had slipped from 57-2 to 74-6, and although Rizwan Siddiqui (25) and Sharoukh Navaee (27no) hit out well in the later stages, the total of 143 was no challenge for OA’s nig-hitting batsmen.

Rasool and Jack Reynolds put on 31 for the first wicket before Reynolds (9) fell LBW trying to work Navaee to mid-wicket.

Alex Goldstone then became a second LBW victim, misjudging the length of Bhimjani’s off-spin to be trapped on the back foot for just six with the score on 40.

By the first of two planned drinks intervals, Rasool and Zahid Khan had added 57 more runs, not without some alarms as both players were dropped. Rasool had meanwhile reached his 50 off 38 balls, and it was a surprise when he holed out to long-on in the first over after drinks for 56.

Another wobble followed after Khan was dismissed trying and missing an attempted front-foot sweep off Bhimjani.

From 106-4, Rehman (23no) and Dobson (22no) saw OAs home with over 18 overs to spare.

Tge victory takes OA up to fourth in the table but they are 25 points behind the top three of Old Owens, Met Police Bushey and Abbots Langley.

Final score: Totteridge Millhillians 2s (143) lost to Old Albanian (144-4) by six wickets.