Dear all,
Finally, we get some league cricket… straight on to the news.
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News
Covers
Unfortunately, due to the weight of the covers, it is difficult for our groundsman, Roger, to push all six of them on to the squares to protect the pitches in the event of inclement weather. Remember, Roger is a volunteer and does an awful lot of work for the club so you get to play on good surfaces – so don’t just think he’s the groundsman and it’s his job – he is unpaid!!! So, if you are at the club in the latter part of the week and there is even the slightest possibility of rain, please put the covers on!!
Behaviour
Please respect all club property and consider your behaviour on match days – we are getting towards the business end of the season and emotions run high. Remember that you are representing the cricket club and you should act appropriately. Any misbehaviour reflects badly on the club, damages our chances for funding to improve facilities and reduces our appeal to new members. A copy of the SMCC Code of Conduct is attached for your information and is also on the club noticeboard.
BBQ / Fire Pits
John Greenwood kindly donated a BBQ and two fire pits for club use and is disappointed that it has not been put away after use. With the inclement weather, the BBQ and pits will rust and therefore cut short their usable life. If you use the equipment – make sure it is returned to the covered area at the side of the pavilion.
Coaching
Lassana Dias, our overseas professional, is available for one on one coaching sessions. If you would like some personal coaching with Lass, please contact him on 07448 736 258. There will be a cost, which can be arranged directly with Lass.
Zip Line @ The Oval for charity
Action for Children are looking for dare devils to sign up and ride an adrenaline rushing, 500-foot zip slide over a legendary cricket ground to raise money for vulnerable children, young people and families across the UK. The zip slide will take place at 11.30am, on Saturday 6th October at The Kia Oval Cricket Grounds, and will see thrill seekers launch themselves from the 75-foot high, roof terrace of the OCS Stand and cross the full length of the world famous pitch before landing outside the Pavilion. Brave participants pay just a £20 registration and are asked to raise a further £100 in sponsorship money.
To find out more and to register, please text ZIP SLIDE to 07525 734101 or email rebecca.minett@actionforchildren.org.uk
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Last weekend’s results:
Saturday
SMCC entertained Alleyn & Honor Oak and the morning showers meant a delayed start and a change of pitch to the bottom square. SMCC won the toss and (unsurprisingly) asked AHO to bat first on a drying wicket. Mortimore did most of the damage with 5-31 from 20 overs, whilst Lassana Dias took 3-21 from 18. This was backed up by some good fielding with both Hassan’s taking good catches inches off the turf. Sharif took the final 2 wickets cheaply as AHO were bowled out for just 84. A change at the top meant Kasheef Hassan partnered Tom Benge at the top of the order and both mixed solid defence with some good strokeplay to move the score to 46 before Hassan was run out by a stunning bit of fielding. There was room for a wobble as Benge, Shah, S Hassan and Brinsden fell before the target was reached for the loss of 5 wickets. A solid result and with results going our way, our destiny is once again in our own hands. (D Ellis)
1st X1 League position – 3rd / 9
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Lost – No report
2nd X1 League position – joint 6th / 10
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Won – No report
3rd X1 League position – 2nd / 18
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Another wet Saturday morning and a must win match for the fourth eleven against third in the table Woking and Horsell. A delay for the first eleven to swap pitches couldn’t stop skipper Henderson winning the toss and putting the oppo into bat on a soft pitch which would surely be slow and low right? Wrong! Richard Haynes bowled with pace and aggression picking up three wickets and causing numerous batsmen to run off for doses of “cool spray”, the skipper getting one, Saggs taking two in a good spell of accurate bowling and Roddie bowling a devastating short spell to pick up four. Great application in the field and a target of 139 to win. The 4s don’t like to do anything simply, everyone dug in but wickets fell at regular intervals, no one seemed to learn that the cut shot wasn’t the best choice on a hard to judge pitch and fly slip had a field day, 104 for 6 and squeaky bum time was setting in, but cometh the moment and cometh the Showbiz and Saggs show, both batting with control and aggression seeing us home and a huge 13 points, lifting the 4s out of the relegation zone for the first time this season! Great win and with 5 games to go it’s all to play for. (A Henderson)
4th X1 League Position – joint 7th / 10
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A day of showers, sun, wind – all four seasons in an hour as that wise philosopher Barrington Wilks observed. Home again to entertain Bexley on a damp Mayow track that would be variable throughout the game. This week’s guest superstar Matt Clark recruited via facebook. God bless technology. Yet again I won the toss and inserted the opposition. Jamie Davorn (10-3-32-2)and Barrington Wilks (7-3-29-0) bowled with control and skill to give us a tight start. Jamie bowled his best spell of the season, pitching the ball up at a good lick and troubling all the batsmen. Pleased to see both of his wickets were bowled and two good bats as well. Then it was the Paul Henly and Lewis Knapp show. How great is it for a fifth XI to have two such artists of flight ‘n’ guile and turn. Truly the English language was invented to describe such a spectacle. Paul (10-5-11-6) was devastating against a good batting side exploiting the damp uncovered track. Lewis (10-2-37-1) was unlucky not to get more wickets, ripping the ball massively at times. Clarky was like he’d never been away (2.2-1-3-1) and took a good catch too. Good catches were taken by Ben Church ( low and fast at gully), M. Nicholas (skier over his head) Jamie Davorn (round the corner) and Adam Bailey behind the stumps – a sharp chance well caught. Eleanor Johnston showed she can field at this level as did Michael Loakman who stopped the ball well all afternoon. Bexley all out for 121 in the 40th over. Lewis Knapp (8) and Ben Church (11) got us off to a good start against good, tight league bowling judging the line and length well. When they perished Matt Clark batted well for his 20 until one stopped on him. Paul Henley (21) and Mike Nicholas (38 not out) almost saw us home with a well judged innings (two massive sixes from Mike) but a series of injudicious shots and rank ill fortune brought us to 9 down and Eleanor trying to hang on whilst Mike scored. The young girl scored 2 good runs but perished to a good one from Steve Griggs and it was all up. A great game against fine people. The quality of chat from Clark and Nicholas of a particularly fine and erudite nature. This week’s all time classic to Paul Henley as he prepared to bowl – ‘come on Picasso twist us some new shapes. Priceless. (L Johnston)
5th X1 League position – 8th / 10
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5As travelled to Valley End a man light but on the back of a much improved performance against Northfleet. Having lost the toss we were put in and made a decent start courtesy of Doherty (26), however wickets up the order started to fall cheaply and Hall was unfortunately retired hurt on 18 after looking extremely settled. A fearless knock by Willmott (35) with good support from the lower order enabled us to post a reasonable total of 143, not bad given the circumstances but something we would do well to defend. An excellent start by our opening pair of Viggor and Willmott kept the run chase in check but Valley End soon started to make inroads and at 100-3 with plenty of overs to spare looked well on their way to victory. It’s testimony to the team spirit and competitiveness of the 5As that we managed to swing the pendulum and give our hosts a real battle. Osman was introduced into the attack and helped apply pressure with the ball; all five bowlers backed up superbly in the field and suddenly a real contest had developed. Sadly, it was Valley End who prevailed and they reached the required total with 9 balls and three wickets to spare bringing a great game to a close. Our lads are showing real spirit in the field and with just a bit more quality with the bat, a win will soon come. (M Shukla)
Sunday
Rain…
http://stmcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/results.asp
This weekend’s games:
Saturday
1st X1 away to Old Hamptonians
2nd X1 home to Woking & Horsell
3rd X1 home to Ashford
4th X1 away to Dulwich
5th X1 away to Ex Blues
6th X1 TBC
Sunday
Development X1 vs Burgess Park
http://stmcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/fixtures.asp
Best of luck to all the sides.
Dan