Dear all,
Lots of news to get on with this week, so without further ado…
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NEWS
Quiz – Friday 26th July – Cancelled
Unfortunately we’ve had to accept a lucrative corporate booking for the same day – sincere apologies to those who have already accepted the invite and arranged friends / family to attend. We will announce another date shortly.
Devon Tour
The Devon Tour is fast approaching and we are still in need of a few more players to commit to coming to make it worthwhile. It seems a lot of people are very keen for ‘next year’, but for that to happen we need to have one this year first! Plenty have expressed interest for this year however, but in order to book accommodation, transport etc. I need to have the £30 deposits asap. Please contact me direct on rdh199@hotmail.com / 07886 893134 or at the club this weekend if you have any questions. As a reminder the tour dates are August 11-16, with the 3 matches scheduled for August 13-15. If people can only make it down for part of the week that’s fine.
New premium lager at the clubhouse – Your Choice!!
The tap which used to provide us with San Miguel has been inactive since the start of the season. We now have the following options of what lager will replace it. To vote for your favourite, there will be a poll going up on the clubs Facebook page shortly. If you can’t access Facebook, you can always e-mail me to vote for your favourite.
• @ approx. £3.60: Grolsch, Kronenbourg 1664, Stella, Veltins
• @ approx. £3.70: Heineken, San Miguel
• @ approx. $4.00: Staropramen
You decide…
Scorer / Umpire Required for Ladies Match on Saturday Morning
The Ladies are playing a Dutch touring side this Saturday at 10am at home but don’t have an umpire or a scorer. Natalie has offered to score until she has to leave with the 1st XI but that won’t cover the whole match – might just about the first innings (it’s a 20-over match). Is anyone able to umpire and score for us – there will be a couple of drinks in it for them. Perhaps a member of one of the home sides on Saturday?? Contact Dagmara Selwyn-Kuczera on e-mail (dag.smcc@gmail.com) if you are able to assist.
Tickets to Surrey vs Essex
We’ve been sent 20 complimentary T20 tickets for the floodlight Surrey v Essex match on Monday the 15th of July, start of play 6.10pm. If you are interested in going, please contact Karen Klomp by e-mail (kklomp@gmail.com). Note, the offer applies to members only and is on a first come, first served basis.
Kit
Our supplier, Allrounder Cricket have asked me to make you aware that they have a couple of products which have been printed up and are ready to be ordered. Particularly, the following: Playing trousers: £23.99 (Size: 34”) Casual Polo: £21.99 (Size: 40/42) Tracksuit: £52.99 (Size: 48/50) Delivery costs still apply. In order to make a purchase, please call 01132 033676 and ask for either Elaine or Cecilia.
Battersea Net Sessions
Additional net sessions will start next Thursday (contrary to reports on Facebook) until the end of the season at Battersea Park. These are ideal for any players who are based in central or SW London or simply unable to make Tuesday nets. Sessions start at 7pm. Unlike the Tuesday nets there will be a (very) small charge but the surfaces are a good quality and less than a couple of years old. For more information please contact Marcus Shukla: 07828 174296
Survey (and a chance to win tickets to England vs India in 2014)
This is your chance to give your say on the recreational game in England and Wales. The findings will support the ECB’s wider plan to invest £96m into community cricket over the next four years. It is aimed at coaches, umpires, scorers and volunteers in the cricketing world. http://cricketsurveys.com/s/the-national-cricket-playing-survey-2013/
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LAST WEEKEND’S RESULTS
Saturday 1st XI vs Old Wimbledonians
Lost
A second disappointing week with the bat and a second week where we’d bowled ourselves into a winning position before being unable to finish off the opposition. A solid start quickly turned into a top order collapse and although Thomas (21) and Rostami (34) settled things down, we found ourselves 94-8 in quick-time. McGill (36*) played well to drag the score up something that was defendable on a poor wicket before losing his support. 142 all out in 42.3 overs. In the field, SMCC created chances from the off and were rewarded as Walker forced the OWs opener to chop on. This brought to the crease the OW overseas batter who looked in imperious form. McGill was working up a head of steam and got a delivery to spit viciously from a length as the surface crumbled, taking the gloves of the other OW opener on the way through to Shah at slip. A quick 40 run partnership put OW well and truly on top before McGill removed the overseas hooking. Two balls later McGill found another patch on the surface which disintegrated and took the gloves of the new batter. Two more wickets either side of drinks from Rostami gave SMCC hope. Mortimore then prised one more out and at 104-7, the game was once again in the balance. Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for SMCC as the opposing captain steadied the ship and closed the game out. (D Ellis)
1st XI League position – 6th / 10
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2nd XI vs Pyrford
Winning Draw
2nd XI League position – 5th / 10
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3rd XI vs Chertsey
Won
The thirds played their second straight home game on Saturday and we clearly like the place as we recorded our second straight win. Chertsey won the toss and decided to bat so like Mad Dogs & Englishmen, we went out in the midday sun. The shine on the ball lasted about 5 overs, making the efforts if Sadhwani, Culley, Harris and Willmott all the more impressive. Chertsey scored steadily and at second drinks at 30 overs were 142-2 and we were looking at a big chase. But Mehta (bowling beautifully) and Sowton (less so) took three wickets each, slowing the run rate and allowing us to bowl them out for 177 in 47.1 overs. Sowton did his best to emulate Lethal Bizzle’s 5-for a few seasons ago; all his wickets came from a full toss, one batsman joining in the fun by coming down the wicket, turning length into a full toss, and spooning it straight up in the air where it was nonchalantly bagged by the skipper. We didn’t start the chase fantastically well, losing both Knapp and Driscoll for 6. But Hayward came in and batted beautifully for an unbeaten 62, ably supported by Bartolo (25) and Sowton (49. I know. All I can say is that his favourite song must be One Man Went To Mow.). After a slight wobble, Culley joined Hayward to see us home. So two wins in a row. We’re going to be tested away to the unbeaten Kempton on Saturday but the feeling in the side is good and anything’s possible. (M Begg)
3rd XI League position – 8th / 16
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4th XI vs Oxted & Limpsfield
Won
4th XI League Position – 3rd / 10
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5th XI vs Mottingham
Won
Mayow Park is a lovely sight in the sun, the ring of mature trees enclosing the playing area and the citizens of Sydenham in relaxed mood under the cloudless sky. Lovely that is, until you notice the uncut outfield with its foot high grass in places. The skipper has dropped himself so Barrington Wilks leads us out in to the field. Shiraz Sheikh (6-2-15-1)and Mark Davis (10-1-35-2) again get us off to a tight start. Nick McCaul (28) played a classy opening innings to hold Mottingham together with some fine shots despatching anything full or short. Three good catches from Mark Davis, Andrew Brook and Vinay Patel kept us in control with Mottingham 57 for 3 in the 18th. Two fine innings from Chand Channa (41) and D. Barnard (26) got Mottingham moving and a big total was looking likely until Barrington Wilks (6-3-4-4) came on to bowl and to rip the heart out of the batting. Bowling a fine length and line Barington was irrepressible and only a reluctance to shell out for a jug can explain his failure to take 5. The dapper paceman puts his improved form down to my absence from the field. I think he is a good change bowler. The target is 158 to win. Newton Moss (8) looks good but then is undone by a good delivery. Roddie Bell (30) bats with his usual blend of patience and power getting us to 51 before being bowled by Channa (10-1-19-2) with one that kept low. Justin Sbresni (34 no) took up where he left off last week and batted with immense skill and mental toughness in the belting heat. This is the crucial innings of the game. Make no mistake the game was in the balance for a long time whilst Justin was put under severe examination by good testing bowling on a difficult track. Paul Henly (10) played a couple of glorious shots before being deceived and Andrew Brook (13) holed out as he sought to dominate. That brought Rory Thomas (48 no) to the crease. Rory’s first shot was a glorious drive in the V for 4. That’s how it continued, playing straight, he dominated the bowling and took us to safety and victory. A glorious six over midwicket the highlight possibly. All possible because Justin held us together. There were a few words in the middle, hardly surprising given the tension and the heat. I have to say that Mottingham are a fine side of talented cricketers and decent people who have given us two hard games this year. I was pleased to see us withdraw an appeal for the second week running as that is how cricket should be played. Later, at the club we are pleased to see our friends Team Mitcham who have been playing the 6’s. Mark Davis is rustling up burgers and sausages and Justin gave a fine lecture on the psychology of batting and Comrade Shukla and I discuss the revolution. Everyone happy. (L Johnston)
5th XI League position – 1st / 10
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5As XI vs Team Mitcham
Lost
A hastily arranged fixture against Team Mitcham meant that 5As were able to enjoy a weekend fixture despite the last minute cancellation from our original opponents, Catford and Cyphers. We were kindly allowed to use the ground for a rare ‘home’ fixture although were left to wait anxiously with only 5 of the oppo present at 2.30. We won the toss and batted first, looking to punish our opponents in the fierce mid-day sun and exploit great conditions for batsmen. Knott (25) was playing a steady innings and is continuing his good form following last week’s 71 at Bredgar. He and Chowdury (17) punished the loose and short deliveries and gave us a solid start. After both openers were despatched the runs continued – which is an improvement on previous weeks – and the rest of the top order contributed even as wickets fell. Michael Hall, enjoying the Sabina Park style atmosphere and reggae sound system, started to flex his muscle and looked set for a biggie before walking after an edge on 29. In truth, no-one really knew what was going on at this point but the big fella is as honest as the day is long and was in no doubt . It was great to see Olly Bale hitting the ball cleanly and his aggressive 16 suggests there are plenty more runs to come. A late flurry from Patel (26) and Khan (14) pushed us over 150. By the time Syed-Hussain (3) was last man out we had registered a decent total of 179. After tea we made an aggressive start with Patel (1-15) and Khan (1-36) restricting Team Mitcham in the opening ten overs. As we have done on a number of occasions, we made light work of dispatching the top order but struggled to make progress further down. Once Shukla (1-37) had removed Sam LBW for 4, the middle order started to hit out. There were opportunities in the field – probably fair to say that 4 catches should have been held – though Rawstrone showed us how it should be done with a superb take at long on. Excellent catch and fully deserved. That was the first of Richard Hunsley’s two wickets (finishing with 2-22) his second an excellent reflex stumping by stand-in keeper Singh to remove Yaqoob. Between these wickets however Mitcham were hitting and running hard and well on top of the rate. They ultimately chased down the total with 5 overs and five wickets to spare thanks in no small part to a match-winning partnership from Haside (61) and Hassan (53 not out). There’s no shame in losing to sides like Mitcham; they are a good standard and perhaps ought to be playing league cricket. They’re also a great bunch and it was a pleasure to invite them back to the club afterwards and share a beer and burger. Our guys can be proud of the way they played and we were in the game for large spells. Plenty of positives to take into this weekend’s game at Northfleet. (M Shukla)
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Ladies XI vs Epsom
Won
This was a bit of a squeaky bum occasion. Winning the toss on behalf of her slightly delayed captain, Tammy and Verity took to the crease in confident mood. Displaced confidence as it turned out as both were summarily dismissed for single figures. Work to be done there. Luckily Megan Little was on hand to steady the ship. Elevated to no.3, due to that minor delay on the M25, Megan performed with great stoicism – a match saving innings very possibly. She was then ably supported by the captain and the 2 put on a solid 32 number of runs together before Megan fell after the ball hit something, although we are not quite sure what – glove – bat? We’ll never know. Dag then came in and added a dynamic 13 in partnership with captain Rabz to take the total to 92 of a very solid bowling attack. And Dag even defended one ball! This was truly a day for the history books. So it was a defendable score. Epsom started at a pedestrian pace, probably quite wisely not trying to take too many off the ever fearsome dangerous duo of Leia and Rean – they really are becoming an incisive attacking pair. However, we started to leak runs after the initial few overs, and Epsom seemed to be hitting their stride somewhat ominously until Dag stepped in and dismissed one of their openers with a beautiful slow straight ball. A timely wicket if ever there was one. After that the cat and mouse game continued with momentum going one way then the other, but our bowlers continued to take wickets just when it seemed Epsom were taking control. Truly a fine bowling performance all round capped off with some boundary-saving fielding most notably from Rean and Megan. And wouldn’t you know it, we also got 2 run outs! Chantal involved in both – great work! Coach Sadiq would be proud! So the player of the match, could have gone to a few – Rean for her run saving fielding and fine 2 wicket haul (she does love that penultimate over!), Leia again for her classy bowling, Megan for her batting, Rabz for finally turning up…oh and her batting and bowling, but the shiny new Streatham and Marlborough Player of the Match award went to Dag. Voted for not only by her own team but by Epsom as well so she got a bottle of gin and photo shoot as well! The glamour! Can S&M continue this winning streak vs Ashford next week and secure a place in the trophy play-offs. Tune in next week to find out! 🙂 ps. a huge thank you also to Natalie for scoring who has almost regained full mobility in her injured shoulder. Most excellent (T. Mattinson)
Ladies 1st XI League Position – joint 1st / 8
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Trust XI
Trust XI League Position – 1st / 8
http://stmcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/results.asp
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UPCOMING FIXTURES
Saturday
1st XI away to Addiscombe
2nd XI home to Ashford
3rd XI away to Kempton
4th XI home to Old Rutlishians
5th XI away to Catford Wanderers
5A XI away to Northfleet
Ladies home to Amsterdamsche Cricket Club
Sunday Ladies XI away to Ashford
Friendly XI away to Hurst Green
http://stmcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/fixtures.asp
Best of luck to all the sides.
Dan
ps. Keep up to date with news from the club on Twitter feed (@SMCricketClub) or via our Facebook page (Streatham & Marlborough Cricket Club)
pps. Our local restaurant sponsors (Dulwich Tandoori & Mirash Tandoori) are very important to us and provide valuable financial assistance. Please make an effort to visit them and, if you do, mention that you are a member of SMCC and are grateful to them for their support!