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MATCH REPORTS 2005 |
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BATTING |
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BOWLING |
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| Sat 7 May
Sat I against Bentley On a bitterly cold day at the Corra, we kicked of the league with a traditional game against Bentley. Grainge, returning to the club as skipper, won the toss and stuck the opposition in. Despite an early breakthrough courtesy of Wardy, we went all round Springfield on what is looking like a bowlers graveyard, our visitors eventually ending up on a massive 312 - 5 with only Flub coming out with the commendable figures of 1 - 46 off 10 overs. In reply we started badly, losing the top three for just thirteen. With the game as good as lost, batting points was the target and thanks mainly to Damo's 48 and a measured 51 not out from a battered and bruised Mortz we reached 208 - 8. Sat II against Broomfield The two's guided by new skipper Andy Barrett, ventured over to Broomfield for their opening game of the season. Batting first, we found it tough going on a slow wicket, with only Andy Hannah (40) and the skip (29) really contributing in a score of 159 - 9. In reply we bowled well, but despite at one point having our hosts struggling on 125 - 9, we couldn't quite get over the line, the last wicket (aided by a few dropped catches) put on 35, to see them home for 160 - 9. Credit must go to Ben Marrion who bowled exceptionally with the new ball finishing with 1 - 29 off 12. Sat III against Great Totham. Russ Jones in charge of the third team for this, his 42nd consecutive season, led his team over to Gt Totham. After a superb batting display posted 244 - 6, Martin Southwell (75) and Dan Unger (67, at a zombies pace due to a night out at Dukes) got us off to a good solid start, but it was James Howarth's 34 ball 58 that starred. In reply Totham were never in the game and subsided to 106 all out. Chalky and Neil Jefferson picking up 3 wickets apiece. Sat IV against Pegasus & Corringham III The fourth team under the new stewardship of Bob Howell batted first at home against Pegasus & Corringham III and posted a competitive 185 - 9. Troy Nice doing the damage, scoring his maiden half century in league cricket. In reply our visitors started slowly, thanks to Fahran Mahmood, who finished with the commendable figures of 2 - 32 off 11. But Pegasus forged on and eventually overturned our total with a couple of overs to go. (186 - 5)
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| Match reports courtesy of Jimmy Symonds | ||
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Sat I against Aythorpe Roding We traveled to Aythorpe Roding with a further depleted bowling attack, and on what looked like a good pitch, won the toss and batted. At 163 - 3, with 15 overs still to go, we were in a strong position, but the loss of Damo for a well crafted 84, heralded a middle order collapse which saw us to a may be slightly below par of 218 - 9. In reply Aythorpe were quickly reduced to 40 - 2, thanks to a very sharp spell of bowling, 3 for 32 off 12, from our talisman Wardy. Unfortunately that was as good as it got, as Dove Dixon (once again) hit a quick-fire century to take the game away from our grasp. Credit must go to all the boys who kept fighting to the end. With a bit more luck with catches dropping just short, or looping just over our heads, we might just have snatched the game. Aythorpe 219 - 5. Sat II against Willow Herbs. The two's entertained Willow Herbs at the Corra, and thanks to decent contributions from just about everybody, managed to total 220 all out, Chris O'Riordan top scoring with 38. However during the course of our innings we had managed to lose our opening bowlers to injury, Pete Frost top edging a ball into his nose and new bowling acquisition M. Batey pulling up limp. (when I called the wicket a 'bowlers graveyard last week, I didn't mean literally! ) AB bowled well at the start (3 - 46) of Willow Herb's innings, but despite a constant flow of wickets they managed to get home with just two balls to spare, (223 - 8) leaving both the 1st and 2nd teams looking for their first of the season. Sat III against Marconi Marconi were meant to be the visitors, but thanks to a very disappointing, not to mention late call off, the guys were forced to spend one of their families/ revision books. Never mind, at least the 26 points received for a cancellation, puts us on the top of the league! Sat IV against Rayne. The fourth's opened their account for the season with a good win against Rayne. Martin Southwell (63) and Dan Unger (64) put on 143 for the first wicket, but a collapse saw us to 202 all out. Rayne started slowly in reply, and the wicket of former Spurs player Mark Falco set them back further. Patters was the pick of the bowlers, with 1 for 19 off 8, as our hosts eventually ran out of overs finishing 179 - 9. Match reports courtesy of Jimmy Symonds |
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Sat I against Galleywood On yet another wet and windy weekend at the Corra, we managed to record our first win of the season, despite being on the back foot for most of the match against local rivals Galleywood. |
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| We were soon in trouble at 58 - 3, on a sticky wicket
after being inserted, but good knocks from Damo (47), Rudders (20) and
especially Moony, whose 57, at a run a ball, was the main factor in
getting us up to a competitive, if not dominating 176 all out.
Galleywood's reply started steadily and at 90 without loss looked well in control. However Grainge broke through to remove their Aussie with his off cutters and joined in tandem with Flub, kept the run rate down to a minimum. The pressure began to pay as Flub rattled through the Galleywood middle order at a rate of knots, aided by wily old boy's Grainge (1-38 off 10) and Curtz (2-9) and finished with the match winning figures off 6 -28 as our visitors were out for 134. Sat II against South Woodham Ferrers The two's traveled to South Woodham Ferrers and on what looked an indifferent track won the toss and inserted our hosts. |
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| This proved a good decision as S.W.F. could never get away
from our bowlers and finished on 160 - 7 off 45 overs. Aussie Joel, the
pick of the bowlers with 4 - 25.
Our innings started badly, then got worse and at 77 - 7 the game looked lost, but the lower order began to get stuck in. Stormy, Joel and AB (27) all hit valuable knocks and with Chalky steadying the ship at the other end, we reached the final over needing 5 runs, but with only one wicket remaining. This proved just a bit too much. An honorable tie was achieved, thanks to a two off the last ball from Chalky, who finished on a match saving 39 not out (160 - 9) Sat III against Herongate Russ's boys traveled to the tiny ground in Herongate, looking to continue their good start to the season. |
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| We won the toss and batted, posting 240 - 9, which was
spread around the whole team.
Our host set about their task and despite Dancey's twirlers picking up 3 - 57, got home with a couple of overs to spare. Sat IV against Mountnessing The fourth's hosted Mountnessing and in a high scoring affair rattled up an imposing 244 - 5, Pete Frost (72) and Tim Clancy (78) with his maiden league half century, were the main benefactors. Despite Pete Frost 12 over 1 for 23, our attack got smashed around the park and in a fantastic finish our visitors surpassed our total off the last ball of their innings 246 - 6. Reports courtesy of Jimmy Symonds |
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Sat I against High Roding We hosted the three time champs, High Roding Saturday, won the toss and despite getting away to a flyer (thanks mainly to Curtz who smashed 60), crumbled away to a paltry 166 all out. This was never going to test a strong Roding line up, although it has to be said, our bowling was generally pretty good. High Roding reached their target, for the loss of just two wickets in 38 overs (167-2), with Nasser Hussain's brother Mel scoring a classy 89 not out. Sat II against Chignal The two's traveled to high flying Chignal and thanks to good spells of bowling from Widge (3-29) and Joel (2-46), managed to keep them down to 201-9. Danny Eley got us off to a good start, in reply, with 47, but it was a superb 67 from Stormy that stole the show, putting on 95 with Bifta. We eventually got home with just two balls remaining (202-7) The third's traveled to Brookweald to take on their two's, and had first digs on what looked a good track. This proved to be correct as Dancey plundered a magnificent 125 off 73 balls, and aided by Martin Southwell (62) and decent middle order contributions, left our opponents chasing 297-5. Brookweald were never really in the hunt, thanks to good, tight opening spells from Chalky and Ian Gregory and it was left to Dancey to wrap up their order with figures of 4-28. Total 204-8. Sat IV against Writtle II Bob Howell's high flying fourth's hosted Writtle II's, at the Corra and after losing the toss, were put out to graze. Writtle posted a competitive 206-7 in 45 overs. The bowling honors going to Fahan Mahmood 3-49 and returning overseas hero Shaheen Arain 2-28 off 12. In reply Paul Richardson showed his class with a quickfire 94 and with skipper nudging 62 at the other end, victory was assured. We eventually got home in 42 overs for the loss of just 4 wickets. 207-4 Reports courtesy of Jimmy Symonds |
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Sat 4 June Sat I against Pegasus & Corringham. We traveled to fellow strugglers Pegasus & Corringham, Saturday, in desperate need to climb the table. We won the toss and decided to bat on a patchy wicket, which was only going to get worse. |
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| With a couple of lads not getting to the ground on time,
we decided to juggle the order, with Flub being used as an opener, this
is when proceedings took a turn for the worse. Flub, batting quite
solidly attempted to hook a bumper which flew into his face, leaving him
in Basildon General Hospital, with a horrific cut, a couple of teeth
short and a wired jaw. We batted on with nine players, (Rudders accompanying
Flub in the ambulance) mainly in shock and managed to post a respectable
162, thanks to a classy 55 from Lats.
Despite missing two players, we started well in the field, reducing Pegasus to 55-4. This is as good as it got as their middle order closed their eyes and whacked themselves passed our total, leaving us precariously placed at the bottom of the table (166-5) Best wishes to Flub, who must now rely on his huge reserves, as he is on liquids only for the foreseeable future! Sat II against Great Totham. Gt Totham were the visitors Saturday and with pretty much all the bowlers taking stick, managed to post a very useful 229-8. TJ the pick of the attack with 4-47. In reply we started steadily, with Adam Radford scoring 46 and in form Dancey making 56. However a batting collapse of magnificent proportion ensued, losing our last nine wickets for just 52 runs, leaving us well short on 127 all out. Sat III against Great Burstead II Russ's boys hosted Gt Burstead II's at the Corra and with rain around, won the toss and bowled. This proved an inspired decision as young Chalky, bowling with some serious heat, ripped the Burstead top order to pieces, recording figures of 6-26 off 12, leaving our visitors 166 all out. However the sight of Martin Southwell wandering back for just a single, sent the middle order rushing for their pads, but Dan Unger steadied the ship with a well made 87. We eventually got home with eight overs to spare, to leave the third team top of Division 6 167-6. Sat IV against Echo Monarchs The stiffs went into Saturday's game at Echo Monarchs, looking to continue recent good form and thanks to three run outs and a good bowling spell from Matchplay Captain Tarquin Clancy 4-35, kept our host down to 143-8 off their 45 overs. Tarkers then top scored, with 66 to record another fairly comfortable victory, finishing 146-6 and leaving the fourth team in second place. Reports courtesy of Jimmy Symonds |
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Saturday 11 June Sat I against Hatfield Peverel On what looked a typical low Corra pitch, Grainge again won the toss and elected to bat against visitors Hatfield Peverel. This looked like a good decision as our batting finally found its feet. First Curtz put the one paced Peverel attack to the sword with 66 and with good contributions from the middle order, we made a healthy 247-9, however this could have been more had pre-game injury favourite Mortz, not pulled up limp, when going well. We started superbly in the field, reducing Peverel to 32-3, but this is as good as it got as a bad fielding display and mistakes from pretty much all of us, gifted the game to our visitors, who got home with four balls to spare 248-8. |
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| Although this latest setback leaves us in the bottom
three, we are only a third of the way through the season and as long as
we stick together on the field and get a bit more luck with injuries, a
recovery is just around the corner, starting this week away at South
Weald.
Sat II against Danbury AB's two's visited top of the table Danbury, Saturday, and on a dodgy looking strip bowled first. Andy chucked the ball to Ben Marrion who ripped through our hosts top order with a sustained spell of fast, short pitched bowling, reducing them to 67-5. Danbury recovered pretty well in the end, reaching 196-7. Ben Marrion picking up 4-29. Our reply started well, reaching 86-1 and although we progressively lost wickets, our batting line up paid dividends as we reached our target in the 42nd over. 197-7. Sat III against Ashingdon The threes traveled to Ashingdon and after winning the toss, Russ decided to bat. Afzaad (who smashed 75) apart, a poor batting display ensued, with us amassing just 152. Its fair to say we bowled a lot better, but with such a small total, you are only one good partnership away from losing. It came in the eight wicket, Ashingdon getting home with an over to spare 153-7 Sat IV against Canvey. The fourth teams recent good run continued, with a win against high flying Canvey. Our visitors batted first, but were kept down to 205 all out, Graham Short the pick of the bowlers with 2-32. In reply Bassy 82 and Neil Jefferson 69 put the game beyond doubt and although token collapse kicked in we got home with 6 overs to spare 206-6.
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| Gary's Day
After eleven years of sweeping, playing and missing and being declared on 46, by a person who shall nearly remain anonymous (dad), the impossible has happened. |
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| On a beautiful Sunday evening, dusk rapidly approaching and the Fred Lambert Stand packed to the rafters, the lone voice of Neil Kennedy "He'll never make it, he hasn't got the time", sealed Womble's fate. | ||
| Gary Nightingale has scored fifty. Gary has reached the milestone, some had said was impossible. | ||
| All joking aside it was a great, match winning knock that
will live with the people who witnessed it for a good while, well done
fella, and we'll see you for a little forfeit Womble, testicles, dinner
plate and all.
Reports courtesy of Jimmy Symonds |
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Sat. I against South Weald Finally summer has arrived as we traveled over to last years runners up South Weald, who again boasted three paid players, even though the league tried to advise clubs against it. |
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| Our hosts batted first and treated some of our bowling
with distain, posting 299-8, only Ben Marrion bowling well, coming back
in his second spell superbly, to take 5-52. Stopping them reaching 350,
which at one point looked possible.
With at least four legitimate batsmen missing, for one reason or another a Herculean effort was required and Curtz duly obliged, with possibly the best example of clean hitting I've seen in this league, crashing 171. Unfortunately this was not enough and we finished five runs short of victory on 295 all out. |
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| Maybe this is slightly sour grape-esq but all ten wickets
fell to the South Weald ringers ( money well spent! ).
Sat II against Hockley The two's entertained Hockley at the Corra and after losing the toss were sent into the field. We managed to keep our visitors in check early on but a couple of middle order batsmen managed a very useful partnership of 118 in good time to help post 223-8, the skip was the pick of the bowling with 3-42. In reply we stuttered pretty much all the way through our innings, again people getting starts but not making the big scores required. We finished on 164 all out, Bassy top scoring with 42. Sat III against Great Waltham The three's marched on, up Division 6 with a win at home to Gt Waltham II's. Dan Unger starred with his maiden hundred (then smashing a further 66 in his second innings!) and finished 166 not out as we totaled 321-7. Gt Waltham started superbly, but Chalky (3-44) and Paul Richardson (4-44) checked their innings as they finally finished on 256 all out. Sat IV against Old Chelmsfordians With eight under 18's in the side and missing old boys Bob, Trev and Colin, Patters led the high flying fourth's at Old Chelmsfordians. Despite being nearly as old as the rest of the team put together ( Neil Jefferson apart) Patters starred with the ball taking 3-31, as our much improved fielding side kept O C's III's down to 139-7. Neil Jefferson then stroked 84 as we romped home with eight wickets in hand and fourteen overs left. (140-2). Reports courtesy of Jimmy Symonds. |
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Sat I against Ecko Monarch Trojans Newly promoted Ecko Monarch Trojans were the visitors at the Corra, in what was a must win game, due to our recent poor form. |
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| Grainge won the toss, inserted our visitors on a very
soggy pitch and with Rudders and Wardy bowling tightly, pressure was on
them. Ekco responded reasonably well and reached 170-9, the skip finding
form with the ball, taking 4-44.
On a drying pitch, conditions were now firmly in favour of the ball, as we soon found out, slumping to 89-8. This is the moment that Ben Marrion wandered out to join yours truly. With Ben surviving gallantly, I managed to nurdle us up towards Ekco's total and our partnership of 77 put us within just 15 runs of victory. |
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| A fairly nervous captain now joined me at the crease, as
we galloped towards the finishing post and an unlikely victory was
pulled out of the bag, with just an over to spare. Myself finally
contributing something to the team with 88 not out (173-9). This 23
points keeps as out of the relegation zone and is hopefully a stepping
stone to a much better second half of the season.
Sat II against Sandon The two's visited Sandon Saturday looking to put last weeks defeat behind them. |
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| Pete Frost 3-25 off 12 and Wayne Howell 5-30 were the main
reasons for keeping our hosts down to 173-9. This total looked
difficult, but Dan Unger, promoted to the second team after his
brilliant performances for the thirds, set about the Sandon attack,
scoring his second consecutive hundred, to win the match (174-5) with 5
overs left.
Sat III against Foulness With Russ away James Clark captained the three's away at Foulness and thanks to three wickets a piece for Richie and Martin Southwell (and three run outs) we managed to bowl our hosts out for just 120. Stormy 53 and Clarky 25 then out the game beyond Sandon as we reached our target in just 19 overs, 122-2 Sat IV against Woodham Mortimer II The fourth team slipped to just their third defeat of the season at home to Woodham Mortimer II. |
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| With what looked like an extremely strong batting order on
paper, proved extremely brittle on grass as we slumped to just 140 all
out.
This total proved no problem to Mortimer, who breezed home with eight wickets in hand. 141-2 Reports courtesy of Jimmy Symonds |
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Sat I against Little Baddow After the morale boosting victory last week we took a strong side, boasted by the returning Eley and Foster over to struggling Little Baddow. |
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| After losing the toss we were inserted on what looked a
very good 'cricket wickit' and despite being given a life on 5, Curtz
continued his incredible recent form walloping 133. This set the bass
for a big target, Fozzie 32 not out, myself 37 and Rudders 30 (in just
eleven balls) also contributed in our final score of 302-6, Sachin
bowled well for our hosts picking up 1-39 off 12 overs.
In Baddows reply Wardy, bowling with renewed vigor blew away their top man Cole for one, but it was Rudder's inswing that did the damage, picking up 4-21 in nine overs. |
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| Little Baddow eventually succumbed to 135 all out in the
39th over, Fozzie picking up the last three wickets. R. Harris was the
only batsman of note, scoring 59. (Enough detail Mr. Webb?)
Sat II against Brookweald. AB won the toss at home to Brookweald and duly inserted our visitors on a very green Corra pitch. |
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| Flub (returning to the fold after serious injury) was the pick of the bowling, returning 2 for 37 off 12 but Brookweald's total of 200-7 looked pretty decent, especially when you consider we lost Adam Radford to a back strain while fielding. | ||
| Despite having eight genuine batsmen (four of which had
been playing first team this year!) we never got close, eventually
winding up 53 runs short (147-10) in just the 40th over.
Sat III against Rettendon. Russ's promotion chasing third team hosted Rettendon, Saturday and posted a healthy 204-9, M. Southwell and Russ scoring 49 and 30 respectively, but it was Andy Hannah's 51 ball 61 that stole the show. |
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| Chalky's 3-42) pace and Shaheen's (4-30) accuracy proved too much for Rettendon to handle as we bowled them out for 179. | ||
| This victory pushes Russ's boys further towards the heady
heights of Division 5 and proves what a great job he is doing despite
some recent criticism. Tony Seaman would like to
make it clear to Russell that he will not be retiring in the foreseeable
future.
Sat IV against Havering Atte Bower. The fourth team (with old man Howell back at the helm) won a close fixture away at Havering Atte Bower, despite slumping to 105-7 after batting first. However when you have Any Wordley and Ash Taylor (arguably the best two bats in the team) coming 8 & 9 you always have a chance and they duly obliged scoring 43 and 23 respectively, to steer us up to a competitive 188 all out. |
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| After giving our oppo 4 extra overs a pretty good fielding
display was required and we got it, bowling Havering out for 175 in 48
overs, Patters tweakers the pick with 3-39 off 12.
Sat V against Hutton. The fifth's visited Hutton in their first mini-league fixture and ran out victors by 66 runs. |
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| Chris O'Riordan scored a well constructed 75. | ||
| In Huttons reply Pratash Philip took 5-15 off 8 to steal
the show.
Sunday II against Shearing The seconds lost to Shearing by 3 wickets. |
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| Geoff Roberts 3-45 off 10. Springfield 147 all out, Shearing 150-7. | ||
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Springfield 6 aside team, consisted of Jimmy Symonds, Simon Moon, Andy Hannah, Ben Marrion, Matthew Chalk and James Clark, won the tournament at Hatfield Peverel. Match reports courtesy of Jimmy Symonds |
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Sat I against Bentley We traveled to high flying Bentley Saturday looking to put even more space between ourselves and the bottom two and after losing the toss and being inserted made a confident start. The unstoppable run machine that is Dave Curtis was again in form with 60, but it was a quickfire partnership of 75 between Mooney(42) and Rudders(58) which enabled us to post an acceptable 234 all-out in 44.3 overs, Edgar picked up 5-80 but it was youngster Wilson who was the pick of their attack with 4-54.
Despite a decent score on the board our bowling and
fielding display was very simply not of a premier cricket league
standard and although we picked up a few early wickets (at one
point reducing Bentley to 110-4) our failure to remove their captain
Gavin Johnson (92*) again proved costly as our hosts ran out
victors by 4 wickets (237-6), Ben Foster was by far the best bowler on
show for us picking up 2-40.
Sat II against Broomfield
Top of the table Broomfield were the visitors to the Corra but
it was AB's boys who took the initiative after winning the toss
and posting 246-9, Mortz(69) and Kendo(47) were the main contributors.
Broomfield started pretty well in reply but the wicket Of O'Riordan
for 72 signaled the end of any real challenge to our total, our host
eventually reaching 207-7, Mortz (2-41) completed a good all-round
performance and Flub picked up 3 for 49 off 12
Sat III against Great Totham
Russ won the toss at home against Totham and had no hesitation
in sending them into bat. This proved to be an inspired decision as
good spells from Chalky (2-33) and Martin Southwell who claimed 5 for
37 off 12 reduced our visitors to 148 all-out in 41 overs.
This target proved absolutely no worries to our promotion
chasing third team who knocked of the runs in just 33 overs, Martin
(40), Nasir (24) and Weatherley (a thumping 61) were the chief
destroyers.
Sat IV against Pegasus & Corringham III This top of the table clash away in Fobbing proved to be a bit of a spicy clash at the top of Div. 9. After losing the toss Bobs boys managed to rattle up a pretty decent 219-9, Andy Wordley batting well for 81. Peg + Corr however managed to knock these runs off (220-7 in 43.3 overs) mainly due to the fact that their bloke who got 112 getting away with not walking off after being bowled! (His name wasn't even Grace) Needless to say I don't think the highest sportsmanship marks were delivered for this game!
Sat V against Harold Wood IV
Springfield 206-8, Northfield, 39
Symonds snr, 35 King, 39
Harold Wood 129 all-out, King,
4-41 Shervill, 3-1
Sun II against Ardleigh Green II
Ardleigh Green 180-8 dec. Womble, 2-46
M. Southwell, 3-39
Springfield 181-5, T.Shervill,
78* Nice, 42
Reports courtesy of Jimmy Symonds |
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Sat 5th team results 11/6/05 Hutton v Springfield won 18/6/05 Pegasus & Corringham v Springfield won 2/7/05 Hutton v Springfield won 9/7/05 Haroldwood v Springfield won
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Sat I against Aythorpe Roding.
Looking to get back to winning ways after the shocking performance
last week at Bentley we hosted Aythorpe at the Corra and despite
losing the toss got off to a much more intense start in the field and
soon had our visitors reeling at 20-2, with danger man Dove-Dixon back
in the dressing-room. Dunmow (69) and Gravatt (42) batted well
but a final score of 208-9 seemed below par on a good, dry wicket.
Wardy (12-3-46-3) and Skip (12-1-45-2) were the picks of the attack
Damo deserves a mention for his four catches in his
faultless keeping performance.
Curtz (66) and Foz (56) again got us of to a flier putting on
115 in just 15 overs and it was left to myself with 30 not out to see
us home in just the 31st over (209-4), Cullerton the only bowler of
note going for just 55 off his 4.4 overs.
Sat II against Willow Herbs
With an outside chance of a late promotion push on the cards
nothing short of a win away at lowly Willow Herbs would do and after
winning the toss Simon Dance set about our hosts attack. Rhythm
eventually fell for a masterful 162 (just twenty short of the
club record) and with Bassy also smashing 57 we posted 308-9, credit
must go to one of their bowlers, a bloke called Loader who
picked up 6 for 39 off 12!
In fairness our total was always going to be enough as
they eventually reached 194-7, Flub (3-69), Pattani (1-29 off
12) and Frosty (1-33) were the pick off the bowlers
Sat III against Marconi
This fixture looked to be one way traffic on paper and so it
proved on grass. Our hosts batted first and amassed a paltry 88
all out in just 33.3 overs, Chalky again the main destroyer with
5-18 of 8.3, Widge also pressed his claims with the very tidy
figures of 12-4-12-3.
In our reply Clarky got the ball rolling with 25 but it was
big Afzaal who entertained the small crowd with 38 off 9 balls (l
think it went 4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,6 game over).
Sat IV against Rayne II
Bob Howell and his boys went into this game looking to put last
weeks disappointing defeat behind them and on a lightning Corra
outfield managed to restrict our visitors to 219-2, A. Wordley
(2-25) bowled well but TJ took the honors with 12-2-56-5.
Raynes target looked modest and it soon proved so with Matt
Cook and Tom Sherv hitting 50's but it was the skipper who
led his team to victory with 70 not out (222-2 in 38 overs).
Sat V against Chelmsford V
Springfield 164
all-out M Northfield 35, J Symonds 25, G
Nightingale 25
Chelmsford 165-5
P Caples 2 wickets
Reports courtesy of Jimmy Symonds |
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Sat I against Galleywood
We traveled to struggling Galleywood Saturday looking to complete our
first double of the season. Grainge won the toss and once again Curtz
got us of to an absolute flyer blitzing 58 of just 28 balls. However
his departure signaled a mini collapse as our hosts fought back with
three quick wickets. Moony and myself dug in for a while with
patient/dull thirties but it was Dancey (30 at less than a run a ball)
and especially Rudders (who again got us out of trouble with a stylish
but quick-fire 60) who gave us the impetus to reach 259 all-out
in the 45th over, Bernie Morse, as he so often is was by far the pick
of the Galleywood attack with 4 wickets.
Ben Marrion again entrusted with the new ball removed their
Aussie with his first ball and then sent Uriah Glebloke back to the
pavilion with an absolute jaffer that nipped back and brushed the
glove. Galleywood were in trouble at 140-6 but a good partnership
between Eaton (50 odd) and Slug Eley (47) combined with some fielding
that made England's performance look acceptable put them in the
hunt. However with 45 needed of the last five overs we finally held on
to a couple of good catches through Moony and Hans and eventually ran
out winners by just ten runs (249-10 in 44.4 overs), Rudders
completed a M.O.M performance with 1-28 of 10 but it was Mazza who
picked up 4-60 off 12 who looked the most dangerous. This win now
takes us up to sixth in the league and still gives us an outside
chance of qualifying for Europe next year if our good recent run
continues.
Sat II against South Woodham Ferrers
The seconds continued their rise up the league with their fourth win
in five against former Premier outfit S.W.F. Our visitors batted first
posting a competitive if not daunting 233, Pete Frost bowled
impressively (12.3.35.1) and Flub continued his rise back to the top
with 3 for 43, the target could of been a lot less if so many
chances hadn't gone to grass and it looks like a decent
investment for next year might be a fielding coach as dropped catches
appear to be spreading from the first team down.
Dan Eley put the game beyond any doubt however smashing a 27
over 116 and putting on 127 with young Lats who showed a welcome
return to form with 50, Bassy also hit 33 and the game was over in the
36th over (234-5).
Sat III against Herongate II
Herongate batted first at the Corra and despite playing on probably
the quickest outfield in the league managed to reach just 170-6, Widge
again miserly with 12.3.31.1 and Martin Southwell's floaters picking
up 4-39.
This should have proved no problem to Russ's boys but fairly hard work
was made of it, Clarky got the innings of to a solid start with 56 and
Afzaal thumped 32 but then a late clutch of wickets brought about a
few nervous faces. The skip however kept his cool and we got home with
3 wickets to spare in 41.3 overs (172-7) to put us right on the top of
Div. 6.
Sat IV against Mountnessing
Mountnessing had first hit on a good looking track and rattled up
a decent 221-7, Ash Tyler (12.4.45.1) again bowled superbly without
any luck, TJ and Andy Wordley both picked up two wickets and
Patters showed Flintoff how to catch in the slips!
We got of to an absolute shocker in reply looking straight down
the barrel at 80-6. However the runs had come at a decent pace and
Neil Jefferson (56) had plenty of time to start the recovery. Ash
also chipped in with a timely 26 but it was 15 year old Josh
Attwell, playing in his first league match who stole the show with a
match winning 62, (225-8). Victory was claimed in just 35.4 overs and
keeps the Fourth's second in the hunt for promotion.
Reports courtesy of Jimmy Symonds |
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Saturday I against High Roding
We visited the three time champions High Roding
Saturday looking to keep our late run up the division on
course but after losing the toss on an overcast afternoon it looked as
if it might be an upward struggle. However the now settled
opening partnership of Curtz and Foz were again in form
registering their fourth stand of 50+ in as many games. Curtz was
first to go for another quality 65 (putting two fielders out of
action, one a broken thumb-J. Clarke, and the other fielding
at short square leg!!!!, a bloodied finger- Z. Panjwani) but the
score was kept ticking over thanks to a partnership of over a hundred full
of sharp running (and two massive blows for six that would have
hit the Endeavour had we been playing at the Corra) between Fozzy
(80) and myself (62). A break for rain reduced the match to
just 41 overs a side, this prompted a couple of amusing run outs but
Moony finished our innings on a superb note whacking 14 of the last
three balls to take us on to a very commanding 239-4
On what was a green pitch that was just getting
slower and lower Wardy got us of to a great start removing the
dangerous Hussain for 21 and this opened the floodgates. First
Grainge picked up a couple including Danny Roe dismissed by
probably the catch of the season from Moony and at 60-5 the game
was dusted. Rodings lower order showed some fight as they
finished 190 all-out but it was a comprehensive 26 points, Wardy was
the pick of our attack (12-2-36-2) but Grainge, Fozzy and little
Chalky (on debut) all bowled well to claim two wickets
apiece and complete a satisfying stuffing. It is also well
worth saying what a fine job Grainge did offering himself as a
sub fielder for over 30 overs proving you still get the odd bit of
good sportmanship in our league.
Saturday II against Chignal
League leaders Chignal were the visitors to a
soggy Coronation Park Saturday but found a slightly weakened second
team in top form with the ball after stand in skipper Kendo
won the toss and fielded. Pete Frost (12-6-15-3) and Flub (11-2-28-3)
were the pick but everyone bowled tightly as Chignal managed to scrape
a measly 122-7 in their 45 overs.
With plenty of rain around Adam
Radford got us of to a flyer smashing 63, D Unger (22) and Lats (21*)
finished the the job quickly (126-2 in 17.4 overs) to move us further
up the league and set up what could be a stunning finish to the
season.
Saturday III against Brookweald II
Russ's boys took a bit of a battering at home to
Brookweald 2nds due mainly to a poor effort in the field, letting our
host reach 247-7 in arguably not the best batting conditions, S. Arain
picked up four wickets but at the cost of 74 runs.
The game slipped away fairly quickly in very wet
conditions only Afzaal (32) and Russ (48) offering any resilience in
our total of 145 all-out.
Saturday IV against Writtle II
The fourth team visited the beautiful Paradise
Road to play top of the table Writtle two's. Despite being weakened on
the morn of the match a top effort, led by the evergreen Patters
(12-1-50-5) in the field skittled Writtle for just 155 all-out in the
45th over, Ash Tyler (12-3-34-2) and TJ (9.1-1-25-2) also bowled well.
At 49-2 and looking in complete control with Bob
(13*) and Matt Cook (11*) at the crease the heavens opened and put
paid to what surely would a been a victory (at least that's what the
skipper told me).
Saturday V against Willingale
Willingale 213-5 M.
Southwell 3-23
Springfield 192-7
L. Southwell 39, D. Unger 40*, R. Jones 38
Match Drawn
Reports courtesy of Jimmy Symonds |
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