Dear all,
Coming in to the business end of the season, let’s really push to get some results which could see a couple of promotions!
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News
Mixed Game – Development / Colts / Ladies on Bank Holiday Monday (27th) – Interested?
On the 27th of August (bank holiday Monday) there is a possibility of getting a couple of mixed teams together consisting of ladies/development players/colts to play a game or two at the home ground. We could get a barbecue organised, play some cricket and have a bit of fun. Still in the early stages of organizing but if you are interested in playing then please contact either Dag on 07710693914 or Eleanor on 07760995082.
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Last weekend’s results:
Saturday
The 1’s travelled batted first against Old Hamptonians in a game that may prove crucial at the end of the season. The opening was cagey but SMCC managed to take the score up to 30 before Akhtar pinned Benge in front. Ellis was next to fall as he hoicked and was stumped. Shah also struggled to find his timing and tried to hit out, only to find mid-off. The few overs after drinks really prevented SMCC from moving on to the total which would prove a winning score. De Ruyter ran himself out and one popped on Hassan, who gloved to slip. Thomas and Fuller looked to rebuild, but Fuller soon fell caught behind. Thomas looked in good touch and had brief partnerships with Dias and Little to take the score into something that SMCC felt offered them a chance. Mortimore added some runs at the end and SMCC were bowled out for 163 in 49.4 overs. Thomas not out on 38. SMCC had the best possible start in response as Hassan picked up and threwing down middle stump. The number 3 clipped to Ellis at midwicket who just managed to cling on to the diving effort. OH looked to rebuild but kept losing wickets and at 43-4, SMCC looked on top. OH’s 5th wicket partnership arrived in determined mood to be positive against the spin attack of SMCC. They batted sensibly and aggressively to blunt the spin attack and suddenly SMCC were looking for a 5 bowler to get through the remaining overs. Dias and Mortimore tried to prise apart the pair, but OH kept edging their way to the total. The breakthrough finally came with 22 runs to get as Little stumped Morris off Fuller. Then De Ruyter bowled a long hop which was hit straight back at him. Another wicket fell at the end as OH got across the line with a wicket to spare. (D Ellis)
1st X1 League position – 3rd / 9
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The 2’s entertained runaway league leaders Woking on Saturday and chose to insert the opposition on a bright and breezy afternoon. 2 quick wickets left the visitors at 14-2, before a boundary laden, slightly fortuitous, 100 run partnership put the 2’s squarely on the back foot. This was turned around by the introduction of 2 players making their debuts for the 2’s, with Mo Safi (3-37) and Yodhan Sachev (4-30) sharing 7 wickets between them. Woking finished on 181 all out. The target on what was a decent track to bat on once you were in looked attainable, in particular after a 85 run 2nd wicket partnership between Asgar (49 – well, 52 if you count the 3 short runs!!) and Hayward (22). The end of this partnership triggered a flurry of wickets to leave the team in disarray at 112-8 and all hopes of a win evaporated. Janaoum Rao batted well to remain 25 not out, but with no one else able to score runs around his innings the 2’s came up, frustratingly, 35 runs short of a victory. (P Corns)
2nd X1 League position – 8th / 10
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Lost – No report – there was, however, a century from captain, Chris Sowton in amongst the loss – a fine 103.
3rd X1 League position – 4th / 18
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(A Henderson)
4th X1 League Position – joint 8th / 10
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Off to West Wickham to play high fliers Ex-Blues. Despite selection problems we travel in hope as we have competed well all season. I had to concede the toss to the stupid umpire rule of this league and we set out to score on a good track with the ball coming on and nothing for the bowler. Lewis Knapp (38) and Richard Brearley (6) put on 19 for the first wicket in a steady and impressive manner until a suicidal run saw Brearley at the wrong end. Mike Nicholas (15) batted well and with one enormous six before he missed a straight one and was back in the hutch. Paul Henly perished for 5 despite batting sensibly and Stan Barrett-Johnston (1) to a good low slip catch. Matt Chapman (29) fell to a very sharp slip catch after he had threatened to take the game apart with some powerful and well judged hitting. Andy Taylor (8) tried t hold it together for us but the tail did not wag and we were well short of par on 134 all out in the 39th over. Still we have been a good fielding unit all year as shown by our highest bonus point total in the division; until yesterday. I am not sure anyone knows what happened out there. The Ex-Blues openers rode their luck a little, edges did not go to hand. To many four balls. Too many fielding mistakes most notable by the captain. Maybe I attacked too much with the field in the first 15 but I was sure we could not defend 134 for 40 overs and needed wickets. Only Lewis Knapp (4-1-29-1) took one for us – a marvellous caught and bowled, one handed behind his head whilst making sure his face was well out of the way. It took Ex-Blues 28 overs to cuff their way past us leaving us with 1 bonus point for our efforts. Barrington Wilks (8-3-16-0) was his usual reliable self up the hill. Jamie Davorn (6-2-24-0) bowled well and troubled both openers. Paul Henly 7-0-42-0) didn’t have his best day for us but he is still a fine bowler. Elliott Charles (2-0-3-0) and Mike Nicholas (1.5-13-0) bowled well at the end. Never mind. We must not let this mauling throw us off course. We have become a better team this year with good young players. One poor day doesn’t change that. Next week we’ll try again. (L Johnston)
5th X1 League position – 8th / 10
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5As travelled to the Garden of England for their game against Ide Hill on possibly the smallest wicket in the south east. The hosts won the toss and chose to bat, looking to make the most of a dry pitch and short boundary. A good tight start from Rob Viggor and Willmott yielded one wicket and restricted the openers to 17 runs of 7 overs. However, little did we know what was to come; Pearce – a last minute call-up for our hosts (who was evidently used to playing at a much higher level) – tore our attack to shreds and smashing 85 off only 35 deliveries and swinging the game firmly in Ide Hill’s favour. Credit to our players for trying their best in such circumstances, particularly Basky whose searching for the ball in the adjacent cow field (with herd in dangerously close proximity) provided some much needed humour. After Chowdhury took the star batsman’s wicket, we tried to claw our way back into the game. Mario Viggor produced a fine late spell of leg-spin, ably supported by 15 year-old debutant Syed-Hussain, both taking 2 wickets. After enjoying one of this season’s finest teas (fresh strawberries from a nearby farm), we had to chase our target of 245. So, a massive challenge and made all the more difficult when Shukla (11) and Knott were bowled in successive deliveries. Osman showed good resolve with the bat hitting a determined 16 and Willmott (40) batted defiantly but without ample support. Wickets continued to fall though each player contributed to the run chase and some good shots were played but ultimately we were well short, all out for 115. Onto the next game! (M Shukla)
Sunday
A brutal century from Shareef Hassan (123 from 64 balls) and a 6-22 from Sayif Sarwar were the highlights as the Development X1 beat Burgess Park by 244 runs.
The Sunday 2’s also won.
http://stmcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/results.asp
This weekend’s games:
Saturday
1st X1 home to Maori Oxshott
2nd X1 away to Warlingham
3rd X1 away to Guildford City
4th X1 home to Spencer
5th X1 home to Old Wilsonians
6th X1 TBC
Sunday
Ladies 1st X1 away to Reigate Priory
Midweek
Friendly side away to Hartley Country Club
http://stmcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/fixtures.asp
Best of luck to all the sides.
Dan