Match Results 2011

Having had to cancel the first two games of the season it was great to get the season underway on a beautiful day at the equally beautiful Blackheath ground. SGCC were sporting 4 debutantes.

SGCC lost the toss (as usual) and Blackheath elected to bat first. Fielding a side made up of colts and adults Blackheath had a mixed bag of talent. Looking shaky at 23 for 3, Blackheath recovered strongly with D. Raderecht 38, P McCrae 50 (retired) and a very impressive 100 (retired) from M Chase. Unfortunately Dane Hodgson, having taken two early wickets, managed to break his thumb attempting a run out. His accuracy was sorely missed as nine of the SGCC players turned their arm. Despite a good spell from debutante Mark Roberts (22 – 2) Blackheath declared on 249.

After tea, Guy Pakenham opened with debutante Johnny Burr. Johnny looked strong and will obviously contribute well in the future. He scored a quick 18 and allowed Guy P (30) to continue building a foundation with Stuart Elliott. Stuart scored a very solid 82 before being caught. The other debutantes Guy Bolland, Mark Roberts and Mick Liddicott did not make big runs on this occasion but all looked handy, especially Mark R who, having hit three 4s in a row, decided to walk into his stumps. There was always an outside chance that the 250 could have been reached however the wickets fell steadily and despite six 4s from Steve Pritchard in quick succession, it fell upon him and Toby Pakenham to masterfully see out the last three overs to earn a good draw. Young W Raderecht was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 for 67. SGCC finished on 224 for 9.

Plenty of talent, both new and proven, from Shamley Green and the unbeaten season continues....

SGCC lost the toss and Chadwick decided to take to the field. SGCC made a promising start with Guy P
and John B amounting 35 before they both, in quick succession, gave easy catches to mid off. Stuart E made good progress falling just short of his 50. Mick L, Mark R, young Isaac and Peter S all made runs but it was Toby Pakenham who was the pick of the batting scoring his first 50 for the Green. With half an hour remaining SGCC looked on course for an ordinary 200 total however Luke O and Peter B showed real potential and SGCC finally finished on 231 all out. In contrast to last year when Mark Tanous scored 200 it was pleasing that the team all contributed to a competitive total.
Chadwick had their premier batsman, Toby, who opened and immediately started clocking up the runs despite a desperately close run out decision. The total posted by the Green looked vulnerable so long as this guy remained in bat. SGCC targeted the other end and proceeded to take wickets slowly but surely. The breakthrough came as Chadwick got over the hundred mark. Stuart E, bowling very well, put in a tempting fuller delivery wide of off stump which led to a regulation nick and catch by Guy P as wicketkeeper. From this point on Chadwick never looked likely to achieve the win but batted safely hitting only the bad ball. Despite lots of bowling and fielding initiatives The Green were unable to take more than 6 wickets and a draw was inevitable. CCC fell short by some 100 runs leaving SGCC with the moral victory.
Stuart E, taking 4 wickets, was the outstanding bowler but Mark R continues to look consistently impressive, a much needed addition to the bowling attack.

SGCC won the toss and decided to field first. A disastrous start for The Blues ensued with Guy P, Steve P and Peter B all holding their catches and Ollie H hitting the stumps. The Blues were reduced to 47 for 4 with only 3 wickets left in hand. Their captain Tom looked promising but was bowled by a super ball from Luke D for only 9 which put paid to any significant total. The Blues top scorer Git (37) was striking the ball extremely well but unfortunately had two great sixes reduced to dot balls as they sailed over Boundary House. He never fully recovered from this! Cormack held up his end well at the end and finished not out for 20. Isaac hit two lovely drives until he was stumped leaving SGCC 131 for a win. Honours were pretty even in the bowling figures with Harris, Roberts and Liddicott taking 2 a piece and Daniels and Ward taking 1 each.

Following an early tea The Green made a great start with Steve P and Ollie H making 49 before Ollie was caught. Alex Baldwin (visiting) came in at number 3 and he and Steve P took the total up to 78 before Steve P was given LBW after having hit a great 50. Guy P was out for duck and Mark Roberts having hit a a solid 15 also lost his wicket. With Alex B's 25 The Green still looked certain for the win as they reached 120 for 4, requiring 11 runs with 4 wickets in hand. Enter Isaac bowling for the opposition! He proceeded to bowl good line and length dismissing 3 SGCC players and with 5 runs needed with only one wicket in hand the match could have gone either way. Thankfully for the Green, Peter B held his nerve and batted extremely well waiting for the bad ball with came after a no ball. He pulled it for 4 and a rather tense finish cam to a close with SGCC taking the win. Yet another close game between these two friendly teams.

As an army marches on its stomach so the Shamley Green cricket team bats on its teas. The team’s well tried and trusted approach is simple: to field first and chase everything with alacrity in order to build up an appetite and whet the taste buds, to gorge itself on an abundant tea, and then to bat in a chocolate imbued haze of optimism that makes any target seem easily surmountable.

As with a well-honed athlete even a minor change in routine can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Imagine the disruptive effect for the second successive week of losing the toss and being put in to bat first.

In 2014 Shamley Green struggled to gain any momentum against Long Ditton’s bowling: with only 38 runs after 16 overs the team struggled to 126 all out. When at the start of the tenth over Shamley Green had lost 2 wickets for only 28 runs there was a sense of déjà vu. Interestingly, in his first spell this season as umpire,Rob Clarkson had played no part in either wicket and had even refused an appeal for LBW. Both openers had survived fumbled catches before Mark Tanous fell in the seventh over, followed by Peter Seagrim in the tenth. This week it was Jamie Bloomfield who made the most of his early reprieve and Mark Roberts who provided the foil. Patiently the two consolidated their position and built a partnership of 135 with Mark scoring his maiden 50. When Mark was out on 55 the score had reached.163. Jamie reached an excellent 80, including three sixes, the last of which came by the unorthodox route of a single, an overthrow single and an overthrow boundary. It was then left to the rest of the team to push the total beyond 200, Steve Pritchard managing 15 and Mark Liddicott 10.

Enter the final over on 213 for 6.Rob Clarkson, who in the previous over had surprised everyone with an imperious six, was facing. At the bowler’s end was Mark Liddicott who, to judge from the rapid flicks of his head, was clearly having problems with his hearing aid.This was confirmed on the second ball when Rob screamed “No” and Mark set off. On the third ball Rob screamed “No” and again Mark set off. On the fourth ball Rob roared “Yes” so Mark stayed put, leaving Rob stranded, aggrieved and on his way to the pavilion. With two balls to face, Izzy Uddin chose this moment to claim his maiden golden duck for Shamley Green, leaving David Ward to face the final ball. This time communication between batsmen was fine; between body parts less so. As David’s top half set off for a single his bottom half set off for tea and he fell flat on his face. Somehow he managed to recover and make his groundahead of the ball, so the innings ended on 214 for 8. As players trooped off the field David’s elder son was heard to say: “Dad, you’re an embarrassment”, a statement that he will be made to regret in later life, probably when he introduces his first girlfriend.

Shamley Green took to the field haunted by memories of hastily abandoned slabs of banana cake and jam covered scones, this week’s excellent tea courtesy of Rob Clarkson.Too young to suffer such trauma Jamie Bloomfield was again the pick of the bowlers taking 1 for 31. Rob Clarkson also managed a single wicket but thereafter a succession of bowlers could not dislodge either batsmen. Finally Peter Seagrim secured the third wicket but by this time Long Ditton’s captain Chris Neely was in full flow, riding his luck with edges to numerous parts of the field, but never to a fielder. Only once did the ball go to hand in a difficult chance on the boundary, but was unluckily spilled. Chris finally sealed victory with a boundary, bringing up an unbeaten century at the same time.

As the team crossed to the Red Lion for a contemplative pint it was realised that the opposition had vanished – maybe it had all been just a bad dream.

Time instead to dream of future games and future teas and reflect on the sound adage: “He who troughs triumphs.”

Two years ago Shamley Green fielded 8 players and batted 9, three of whom required runners. Having already lost the prime of its batting to the Village Idiots game the day before (Uddin - Man of the Match), illness depleted the team further to 9. Against this Punter Southall could also muster only 8.

Lucky Le Man Pakenham won the toss and elected to field first. The shortage of both fielders and bowlers could have made for a run fest from the off. Instead Stuart Elliott and Rob Clarkson both bowled testing, economic opening spells. Stuart struck first at 17. Rob then claimed the prize wicket of Andy Dodd with a catch to Guy Pakenham.

When Stuart claimed the next wicket the score was 36 for 3 off eleven overs and both teams thought there would be time to play two innings. Toby Pakenham replaced Rob. Midway through the over he collided with the number three Currell and at the end of the over was stretchered from the pitch.

Mark Roberts replaced Toby and shortly afterwards Currell, still concussed from his collision, misjudged a shot, twisted his knee and collapsed while on 9; stretcher number two.

Soon after that the new batsman spooned a gentle return. Mark, rather than dive, fell gracefully forward and met the ball at ground level. Seemingly a perfect catch from all angles but the horizontal Mark rejected his own appeal and called the batsman back.

On such gestures do games turn. Toby’s absence had created extra space for the batsmen and runs started to come more easily. The next wicket did not fall until the score had reached 105, by which time Currell was sufficiently anaesthetised to return, albeit with a runner in tow.

It should be mentioned that Punter Southall’s number five Streather had until then been playing a steady, undemonstrative innings. Even with the extra space the first thirty overs had only conceded 150 runs.

Enter David Ward, himself now limping, to bowl a single over for 14 to speed things up. It has to be said that in order of merit this over came third behind succeeding overs from Mark Roberts and Rob Clarkson the last costing 18. It later transpired that this last had been an over fuelled by anger; certainly the batsman looked furious that he could only manage four boundaries. Still, at least Rob’s personal best of 57 from 2 overs remained safely unchallenged.

With such support Stuart could do little in his second spell to staunch the flow, despite taking a third wicket and ending with a creditable 3 for 68 off 15 overs.

Currell, on a fuel of hallucinogenic painkillers, had added 37 to his uninjured score to be out on 46. Streather played his luck to end unbeaten on 125, leaving Shamley Green only one innings to face and a target of 242.

Caution is supposedly the better part of valour. Thinking it safer to have Rob Clarkson in front of the crease in pads than behind it as umpire Guy chose Rob as his opening partner. The plan backfired somewhat in the sixth over. Clearly misjudging his call Guy set off for a single and made his ground with only hours to spare; Rob was once more left stranded, aggrieved and on his way to the pavilion.

It has to be said that the only discernible common factor in Rob’s three run outs in eight days (he had also apparently been run out in the Village Idiots game) is Rob himself.

Nevertheless Guy soon found himself facing not just a postman behind the stumps but one with a grievance to address and quivering finger. A lesser man might have been cowered.

Not so Guy who resolved to give no chances and rise to the challenge. In the next five overs he and Stuart put on 40 and all seemed rosy until Stuart misjudged a shot to be caught on 26.

Three balls later Peter Seagrim was caught behind. Mark Roberts struck a quick 20, including the only 6 of the game, before also being caught. Mick Liddicott played stolidly to support Guy during a lean spell as Andy Dodd bowled a miserly spell of 5 overs for 13. Guy finally passed his fifty but then the fifth and sixth wickets fell so, with 125 on the board, was joined by the last batsman Peter Brodbin. Throwing caution to the wind Guy took the attack to the bowlers. He and Peter put on 43 in 4 overs before Guy too was caught on 79 and the innings ended on 168.

As a postscript it is Peter, whose 14 not out went largely unheralded, who has crept unnoticed to the front of the leader board with a batting average of 40; a case of “he who lasts last, lasts longest”.

Shamley Green played its first limited overs match of the season against Wonersh at the weekend with 35 overs per side. Shamley Green won the toss and as is tradition put Wonersh into bat.

Stuart Elliot and James Farr opened the bowling and bowled some tight lines at good speed against the useful Wonersh openers. Many balls were played to air at both ends without finding a fielder. Stuart hit timber to break deadlock in the 5^th over to give SGCC a good start; with only 17 runs on the board. Wonersh began to open up a little and by the 10^th over had reached 48-1 as the score began to accelerate. Once again Stuart hit timber to make the break through. James and Stuart finished their spells in the 12^th over with the Wonersh score at 52-2 and the latch evenly poised, with Shamley Greens’ leading wicket taker for 2015; Stuart finishing with 2-25 off 6 overs.

Isaac Read and Peter Seagrim were brought on to relieve the opening bowlers, Isaac bowling some good lengths with little reward. Some chap called Seagrim then took the next wicket, again hitting timber and went on to pick up the next 4 wickets (despite 2 drops – no jug at least J ) in a spell of 4-14 to leave Wonersh at 96-6 after 22 overs. Despite being given a further 5 (generous) overs to get a maiden 5-for it was not to be and Seagrim finished with 4-38 off 10 overs.

Enter Mark Tanous who was bowling as the team’s only spinner and mixed in with a few faster deliveries to pick up the next 3 wickets in a spell of 3-19 off 6.1 overs. Two of those wickets being almost identical with Stuart Elliot taking two great catches at the mid-wicket boundary. The final wicket to fall was a run out by the fielding of James Farr meaning Wonersh were all out for 141 in the 32^nd over.

What looked to be a modest target at only 4 an over for 35 overs turned out to be rather more challenging…

Jim and Guy opened the batting and made a solid start – seeing off the first few overs unscathed but unable to pierce the gaps; with 6 overs down the score read 1-0. The ball was starting to resemble an old potato by now, (perhaps Jeremy Clarkson can avoid the discount section at sports direct for the next purchase of a match ball) and the score was looking a little more challenging as each over passed on what was becoming a slow pitch.

Gradually the score began to accelerate and by the 9^th over the run rate ballooned to almost a run an over J. The first SGCC wicket fell after at 8-1 after 9 overs with Jim looking to up the tempo. The run rate did increase gradually but by the 19^th over the run rate was still less than 2 an over which meant the required run rate had now crept up to over a run a ball. Still with 9 wickets in hand however.

Wickets then began to tumble regularly. After Guy P was out Guy B struck 2 boundaries from his first 2 balls (1 had been struck in the first 120 balls of the innings). It wasn’t until James Farr entered the fray that the innings received any real impetus though as he added the SGCC top score of 25 in rapid time. James also shared the highest partnership of the innings of 32 with Mick Liddicott, but when James fell to a great diving catch on the boundary (almost identical to the one that had accounted for Mark Tanous) there were still 46 runs required and only 4 overs left. With no prospect of a draw in this 35 over match the tail folded soon after for 102 in the pursuit of quick runs.

A close match between two local neighbours and played in good spirits by both teams. 22 men, 1 pitch, 2 wickets and 1 potato.

Shamley green played its 2^nd 35 overs match of the season against the Presidents on Sunday. It was decided that Shamley Green would field first to allow their wicket keeper to head off to the pub early!

Dane and Tom shared the new ball but the Presidents started at a quick pace and had brought up 50 by the 7^th over without loss of a wicket. Dane finally earned the breakthrough by throwing down a pie only for Tom R to take the catch of the match at slip with the ball behind him and traveling at speed. The 2^nd wicket followed quickly after with Tom bowling the Presidents other opener.

Grant Sylvester came out at no.3 for the Presidents and played what turned out to be the decisive innings of the match. Grant survived a tentative start early on; particularly against a ‘fired up’ postie to go on and score at a fast rate and finished his innings in what one might describe as double jug avoidance on a match high score of 93. David Blake also played a good knock of 28 and shared a big middle order partnership with Grant. The presidents innings ending on 223 for 8.

Dane finished with the best return of the Shamley Green bowlers with 3-38 from 7 overs and tops the Shamley Green bowling averages for the season to date (although only 11 overs bowled). Tom Richardson shared the new ball and bowled at a quick pace for an economical return of 1-26 from 6 overs. The postie picked up 2 wickets with Stuart and Mark T also collecting one each. A special mention to Oli who kept well in the absence of Shamley Greens’ 4 other wicket keepers.

The Shamley Green reply got off to a mediocre start with both openers falling by the 4^th over. Stuart and Tom R then went on to share the match high partnership of 77 at roughly a run a ball but then both fell in the same over…Stuarts to a generous LBW decision 2 runs before his jug was due and Tom on 32 appearing to be distracted by some handbags near the pavilion. Mark Tanous batting at 5 went on to top score for Shamley Green with 58 and despite an impressive low order cameo from young Isaac who scored 28 (including four successive 4’s / 16 off one over) Shamley Green fell 28 runs short of their goal on 195 all out.

Whilst not as close as last years tie it was a competitive match throughout – a big thanks to Jim for providing the lunch.

It was one of those days when the rain falls in patches during the morning, then threatens for the remainder of the afternoon but never comes. And so, in these overcast conditions, Shamley Green and the Weybridge Vandals managed a full game.

Following last year’s seven wicket defeat the Vandals appeared hell-bent on revenge, with last year’s century maker returning, plus a large number of his 1^st XI team mates including the formidable sight of Grover, the overseas player.

Graham Hills, the Vandals’ regular Sunday XI captain, expressed his desire to bat first which prompted the Green’s captain Tanous to claim the same. Hence a toss was required, promptly lost by the Green, who were asked to field.

The opening bowlers did well, Dane Hodgson with a good spell to claim two wickets, and Tom Richardson who bowled fast, also showcasing his slow leg cutter, but without much luck.

Good catching - three sharp chances all taken - meant that Vandals were restricted to 47-3 after 16 overs. Unfortunately, from the moment overseas talent Grover arrived at the crease, the game turned. The opener Baker and Grover feasting on the Green’s first change bowlers in a run-a-ball 139 run partnership. The fall of the Vandal’s fourth wicket - and the Green’s fourth catch – then brought last year’s century maker Singh to the middle. He scored a quick 35 although this was largely as a support role to Grover who hit his sixth six of his innings on the penultimate ball before tea to bring up an undefeated century.

The Green had successful chased 233 to win the corresponding fixture last year, and with a long batting order the 259 required to win seemed with reach. However a combination of the opposition’s strong bowling attack and its own umpiring proved to be Shamley Green’s undoing.

Some early controversy surfaced when Dane Hodgson, opening the batting for a second week, enjoyed a reprieve after being given out caught – apparently managing to negotiate with the Vandal’s wicket-keeper before being recalled by the captain. Whatever was said between batsman, fielder, captain and umpire in that moments at the crease was certainly forgotten a few overs later when ‘Fingers’ Hodgson, returning as umpire, proceeded to set record of two LBW decisions against his own batsman. First was Tom Marsh’s, who’s audacious reverse sweep managed to miss a straight one, and then Mark Tanous’ attempted leg glance to the same sort of ball.

Before then No’s 3 and 4 - Jamie Bloomfield and Tom Richardson – the heart of the Green’s batting order both perished for low scores to smart catches off some good seam and swing bowling from Randall and Buckell respectively.

Enter Steve Pritchard at no.7 who hit a rampaging leg side 38. Steve was well supported by Christian Alexanderson (15) and Michael Upfold (not out 23) but the Green – having lost their first 4 wickets with only 32 on the board – were never up to the chase and finally capitulated to the Australian leg spinner McGill (aptly named Bruce), who took 5-54.

Some nice strokes were played by young Jack Burr, coming in at no.11, which showed that the future of Shamley Green cricket may indeed be brighter than the result and the weather. But on both counts today was not that day.

Happily, it was the entire contingent of Vandals’ players that brought late sunshine as they proved to be as social and friendly as their usual Sunday XI regulars. The entire Vandal’s team – to a man – staying long into the night to enjoy a few beers and a fillet steak at the Red Lion. Well played.

Last year The Green were dismissed for a ridiculous 24 runs and suffered about their worst ever defeat. This year The Green won by 232 runs with a sublime batting, bowling and fielding display. Interesting this huge win followed a series of losses; a genuine reversal in fortune . So what made the difference? Some may say it was the return of the Captain to the side, others that the Captain's son has "come of age" and perhaps some would put it down to the inclusion of the genuinely gifted Charlie "haven't played for ages" Kimmins. Whatever it was, The Green showed that it does have strength in depth and can put out truly formidable teams.

Both captains agreed on a 35 over game. The toss was won by Forest Green who elected to field first. Guy & Toby Pakenham opened the batting confident that one of them would come into runs. It was to be the better of the two, Toby, who amassed a superb 63, his second 50 for the club this season (and on his father's birthday).

Guy was quickly replaced by Stuart Elliott who in typical style proceeded to smash any loose bowling scoring 98 before being caught, mistiming one over the bowler's head. He truly deserved a century. (11 fours and 4 sixes). Normally Stuart's innings would have been the highlight however after Toby was dismissed top edging to square leg in came Charlie. There was no hiding place for the bowlers with Stuart and Charlie at either end and before long overs were going for well over 20 runs. If The Green had not been so humiliated the previous year there may have been some sympathy. Charlie eventually retired on 101 off 39 balls (9 fours and 8 sixes). The overall score was in the high 200s with 10 overs still remaining. Johnny Burr decided to join the fray and added an unbeaten 41 runs with a strong batting display.Much to the relief of a beleaguered FGCC, The Green eventually finished their 35 overs on 329 runs for the loss of 6 wickets; a great performance from primarily 4 quality batsmen.

In fairness to Forest Green and entirely consistent with a limited overs game, they came out with the intention of winning. Their opener A. James scored a good 23 however they lacked the necessary fire power to gain real momentum. Dane Hodgson's typically tight bowling gave him figures of 2 for 15 off 7 overs; brilliant!

Young Isaac Reed, 2 for 39 off 5 overs, again bowled really well. Robert Clarkson achieved 1 for 21 off 6 overs which was great economy but lacked wicket taking lines. However, the star of show was again Tom Richardson who is now genuinely quick. Tom mopped up the last 4 wickets for 7 runs off 5 overs; PB?

Everybody played a part in the victory and the spirit within the team is as good as it has ever been. Well done to all.

Yateley couldn’t muster a team during this holiday season so well done TH for sorting out opposition at the last minute. It came in the form of Imperial College/Charring Cross Medical who turned up with 9 players so Huw stepped in to help make up a 10 a-side affair.

It was a glorious summer’s day on the green and a 35 over game was agreed. The visitors opted to bat first so the home team took to the field.

James opened the bowling with some great pace and finally rewarded with a wicket in his second spell.

Sean claimed the best wicket haul with 4 with some lovely turn once he got his eye in.

The rest of the bowlers (Peter S, Mark R and debutant Angus L) share the spoils with a wicket each.

Notable from the scorebook was that 5 out of the 9 wickets were caught so it was another good fielding display by the home side who kept the visitors down to a total of 157 all out by the 32^nd over.

Roy was the pick of their batsmen scoring 45, with a handy partnership with Raj (25).

Of note, during the 1^st innings Capt. Guy P took his soothsaying skills to a new level by predicting the 1^st wicket to be caught at cover in the next over, which it duly was rather acrobatically.

Tea was taken in the hall and thanks go to Nicola, Rebecca and the team for a fine spread.

Capt Guy P opened with Angus and put of a partnership of 28 to get us going. Nick B pushed the score along with a fine 39 and Mark Roberts got us home with a jug worthy 52 with 3 overs and 2 wickets to spare.

Pick of their bowlers was Raj got 3 of our wickets, but a special mention must be made about their captain Vin who at 70 bowled tricky leg breaks only losing 17 runs in his 7 over spell and was rather handy with the bat and nimble in the field.

Anyway and early finish meant a bit more time at the Red Lion to appreciate Mark’s jug and how lucky we are to play in such an idyllic spot.

After the drought of July we have moved into the deluge of August, and Shalford came to Shamley Green to a greener but slightly moist pitch. With SGCC struggling to field a team the previous week, this week we had a strong team to face them, with notables Grant returning to the crease and Stefan Cassar’s debut for the Green.

SGCC won the toss and chose to bat first, opening with Guy and Stefan, who started out well, but with some confusion on the calls led to Guy being run out before getting started on 5, however Stefan stayed in to score a few useful 4’s and a spectacular 6, before being bowled for 15.

Meanwhile Charlie had come into the fray, and was already scoring quickly off a quality Shalford bowling attack with plenty of pace. Now Grant joined him to replace Stefan, and although SG were now only 35 for 2, confidence was high. Grant and Charlie were starting what looked to be a good partnership, before Charlie was caught for 36 off 22 balls, and shortly after that Grant was stopped before he got started by an unlucky bounce which caught his back leg and took out his stumps for a quick 10 off 7 balls.

But now after a rocky start we saw Tom Richardson and Mark Roberts settle into a partnership. Both flowing well,with numerous 4s all around the pitch, and a dash of good luck they were starting to move the score forward. Mark quickly reached his 50, although was finally caught for 68.

Oli Harris joined Tom, and although Tom went through his 50 he was stumped 5 overs later on an impressive 78. Leaving us on a healthy 238 for 6. Meanwhile Oli was pushing hard to keep the run rate going and joined by Mick they were running everything, even one that they probably shouldn’t have, Oli was run out for 19 with 3 balls left of the innings.

However it did mean that Mick got off the start (1 not out), and was joined for the last few balls by Peter Seagrim who didn’t have to face a ball.

Thus the Green finished their innings leaving a healthy target of 243 for Shalford.

Enter our bowling attack – so far this year SG have been performing well in the field and this week was no exception. Unfortunately Rob only copied the top line bowling metrics from their scorebook so I do not know the fall of wickets so the next bit is mainly derived from my imagination…..

Tom and Rob opened the bowling us, showing Shalford that our impressive batting was only the start for them, as the wickets started to fall. Rob taking the first two for 6 and a duck. The first was a classic special delivery LBW, the 2^nd the first of the impressive catching from the Green by Charlie (I think? the writing in the book is very unclear….)

This was soon followed up by a wicket from Tom, who took the stumps away from their number 4 for only 3. Now amidst this time was the controversy of the no balls, the first called for Tom by the umpire as a foot fault I happened to catch on my camera (see picture)…… The next was to be with their number 1 batsman who had been steadily scoring runs amidst off our opening bowlers, being a positive batsman coming down the wicket and sending the ball to the boundary. Oli ad Charlie had now come into the attack, trying to pin the batsman down. Charlie having a quick victory with a fantastic catch by Peter S which for a moment didn’t look like it would carry all the way to long on, number 6 was gone for a cheap 10.

But still their number 1 was thwarting us but then success, the batsman was down the wicket trying to control a strong ball from Oli, but unable to keep it down,straight to the steady hands of Peter again, this time at mid on! The fingers of the umpires go up! But he isn’t moving, claiming that it was a no ball and therefore cannot be out, he refused to move despite the message from the fingers of his team mates. OIi taking control of the situation said forget it – and in the words of Charlie “its just a game of cricket” so the Green not letting this little drama take away from the game carried on with the attack!

Oli got the next two wickets, bowling their number 5 for 23, and then shortly after that a stunning catch from Mark at Square leg, gave him his 2^nd and final wicket of the day, and their number 7 out for a duck.

The next wicket I missed but I have heard rumours of a ball picked up off the boundary and being shot in by Charlie to send the stumps flying, their number 8 - gone for 15.

Mark and Peter were now in the attack, and the last two wickets were split between them. Their number 9 sending it up into the calm hands of Guy at mid offfrom Peter, and finally and justifiably their number 1, who finished with the highest runs of the game on 82, caught by Grant (I think) at deep square leg off Mark the 5^th of the match!.

Leaving me only to comment on sterling work by Grant and Mick at WK, and some dynamic fielding by Izzy and Stefan which kept the run rate down throughout.

Shalford finished on 165 all out (although they only had 10 batsmen) and another victory for Shamley Green.

A sticky dog needing double helpings of sawdust, threatening movement off the seam. A heavy atmosphere promising swing to the bowlers who could put the ball in the right place.

And an unknown opposition from Tower Transit, courtesy of captain Guy, who found them wandering lost on the Green looking for a pitch to play on.

So a good toss to win and a wise insertion against a team whose cricketing skills were mostly acquired in the Caribbean and the Subcontinent and practiced in east London leagues. A tight opening spell from Tom R which won respect but no wickets, and some excellent away swing plus a few long hops from Peter S. And sure enough the long hop got the wicket - excellent catch by Grant at point. A few balls later the No 3 bowled through the gap, next ball snick. Oh dear, dropped in the slips. And then 10 overs when no one could catch, as Leroy and Marcus helped themselves. 60/2 and the captain called on his son. First two balls: long hop fours. Then another snick, caught this time and Leroy gone for 45. And then wickets tumbled. Toby P 5/22 - a first '5 for’ for the Green to go with his first 50 earlier in the season. Serious outbreak of proud parenting. But what would be in Toby's jug (jagerbombs or lemonade)? There was one wicket each for Isaac, Grant and David W who needed only 2 balls to finish off the innings, and some good catches and indifferent shots. TT finished on 118.

Didn’t sound too difficult, but being SG we can always make things difficult. 0/1, 1/2 surely not a repeat of Forest Green. No, slow progress to 29 with extras top scoring. To be fair TT’s bowling was better than their batting, but we didn’t do much to hit them off their line. Until that is, Grant arrived at 30/4 and proceeded to smash 67 not out including 5 x 6s, ably supported by Tom R with 22 caught with only 1 run needed. So a win by 4 wickets to continue our winning streak. Two more matches to go. Let’s keep it up.

And finished off with an excellent BBQ in the Red Lion courtesy of Guy and lots of opportunity to relive a very good game of cricket. And for Kia to learn some football skills from Marcus’ 9 year old son.

A great opposition. Look out for them the next time you are on the No 25 from Ilford to Oxford Circus. One of them will be driving you.

Well done Tony H for finding us a fixture at short notice. Unlike the previous week the sun shone and the wicket was new. The oppo couldn’t believe cricket could be played on such small pitch (we have heard that one before) and were confident of a serious score. The SG bowling attack was depleted as James F’s train back from the Lake District was cancelled.

Nothing deters Guy from inserting the opposition and some tight bowling from Dane and Peter S restricted them to 20 off the first 10 of their 35 overs, then yet another inspired bowling change by the captain and two quick wicket for Mark T and Peter S. With their best batsmen at the wicket OW’s were still struggling to up the tempo, and then the moment that changed their innings. Stumps thrown down from cover by Tom R (with only one to aim at) and their best batsman Nikhil Kadyan struggling. Or so the 3 SG fielders in line thought plus all the other fielders who weren’t. A couple of wickets for Tom R and one for Toby followed but so did some quick runs. Dane finally bowled Nikhil with his slower ball on the last of the 35, but he had made 102 by then. OWs ended on 193 and the SG end of the hall was a bit sombre over tea.

But we needn’t have been. Having been fed some excellent Harding cakes the opening bowlers fed us plenty of leg stump long hops and the SG innings moved forward with unusual speed. Toby P and I departed without troubling the scorers much but Guy had dropped anchor and found strong partners in Mark T (38) and Tom R (54) who took us to within 16 before Tom and then Dane (just to tease the opposition) got out quickly. But Guy (72 not out) and Peter S saw us home with a few balls to spare.

Another good win. Well done all!

Match Reports 2015