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Denham 1st XI v Taplow XI
August 16th 2008
Report from The Commentator
Denham entertained top of the league Taplow (champions for the past 2 years) at the Way and Tillard Memorial Ground on a overcast day. Taplow won the toss and elected to bat first, which put the Denham captain into a tricky situation as he only had 8 men at the start, (surely his team mates need be given their skipper some more support here, in at least getting their BACKSIDES to the game on time - I believe there were 2 genuine excuses for late arrivals - this probably explains why Denham are in 8th place and are involved in a relegation scrap with this lack lustre attitude).
With this in mind the skipper decided to open the bowling with himself and Jamil Shiakh (DEFENSIVE FIELD) who both bowled tidy opening spells with 6 over for 22 and Shiakh 11 overs for 36, with Shiakh having a catch dropped by Shepherd who to be fair him is still nursing a badly damaged tendon in his finger.
With Midlane and Spencer producing a opening partnership of 72, then Midlane being dropped again, this time by stand-in keeper Maynard with a difficult chance to his left off Nicholas, but this was short lived as he was bowled by Nicholas a few balls later for 39.
Next in was the danger-man Perrera who was dropped 1st ball by Buckets O’Hara at 1st slip off Nicholas, (From my view he needs to spend more time concentrating on his game less time on the arm movements ). O’Hara was able to breathe a huge sigh of relief as Pereira was caught off the next ball by Faisal Mahmood.
In came Askins who created a partnership with Spencer of 124 with both of them running Denham ragged in the field with their tip and running of singles and turning ones into twos, this wasn’t helped by what I describe as total shambolic fielding by Denham and if I’m not mistaken 6 dropped catches and countless misfields (maybe we should contact the man in his cheese cutter flat cap to come back again to show us how to field).
Askins (48) was then run out by an excellent throw from O’Hara. Spencer was now in full force on 100+ with only few overs remaining what I would only describe as buffet field placings (I am no cricket expert but when a batsmen is on a 100+ surely most of your fielders should be on the boundary looking to save the 4’s and not the singles). This would probably explain why of one of the overs went for 20+, which enabled Taplow to register a score of 252 of the maximum 52 overs - which was probably to much for Denham to chase in 48 overs.
Denham began their reply with Singh and Mehta and the 1st wicket falling for 16 with Singh looking impressive but again getting out to a drive shot that wasn’t quite there (he either needs to stop playing that shot or buy a bat that has a better middle).
In came Khan who played some impressive shots and took full advantage of the attacking field set by Taplow. He was well supported by Mehta who played a good supporting role until he was dismissed for 17. Khan was eventually dismissed for 42, falling for the trap set for him at long-on by Taplow.
in came Mahmood, who last year was one of our leading batsmen with 357 runs at a average of 30 but this year he has found it difficult to get amongst the runs and he was dismissed for 2 bowled by Pereira. Next was O’Hara who was bowled for 5 trying to sweep the excellent Pereira early in his innings (I think a little bit more patience and temperament is required here, young man). So the usual Denham collapsing pack of cards, which I have witnessed on several occasions this season, happened again.
It was Ambrose Treacy, who normally plays in the 2nd XI, and James Nicholas to stabilise the ship with what I would describe as sensible batting, not looking to give their wickets away and trying to accumulate an innings. They created a partnership of 42 before Nicholas was bowled for 21 by Perera.
Maynard was next in and saw out the losing draw with 16 not out with Ambrose Treacy finishing on an impressive 33 not out.
I think Taplow made an error of judgement in not setting Denham a total they could chase, although it is easier to talk about things in hindsight.
Taplow 15 pts (252-8 off 52 overs) Denham 5 pts (155-6 off 48 overs)
Next week is the big relegation clash at Holyport where the Denham players need to be committed and focused in producing the sorts of performance levels which they have displayed on occasions in the last couple of years. Lessons need to be learnt from the last few weeks, Denham batsmen do not need to adopt the Hero and Villain policy of batting, in going for fours and sixes and getting out to inappropriate attacking shots - just take look at the Flower and Foster partnership in the Friends Provident Final.
Denham are still in eighth place, unchanged from last week and with Taplow, Wraysbury and Winchmore Hill the top three.
Batting Averages 17/08| Bowling Averages 17/08| League Tables
Little Marlow 2nd XI v Denham 2nd XI
August 16th 2008
An upset was in the air when we kept high-flying Little Marlow down to 164/8, but our batsmen were all on holiday - mentally at least. Shame that Ambrose Treacy had been pinched by the Ones.
We were dismissed for 114, despite Dave Tang's best efforts (42).
Denham 5 pts Little Marlow 28 pts
Denham languish in seventh place.
Next game: home to White Waltham.