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Denham 1st XI v Chalfont St Giles 1st XI

August 2nd 2008

Special Report by The Commentator

With the dark clouds hovering over the Way and Tillard Memorial Ground, Denham entertained their arch rivals Chalfont St Giles - we apparently ruined their season last year with a victory and a dogged display of a draw.

Due to a earlier selection change during the week, Dave Maynard was made skipper for the day and he won the toss on dry wicket, but damp outfield and elected to field first as he was left with a depleted bowling attack.

Nicholas and O’Hara opened the bowling when the heavens began to open and play was delayed for 45 minutes. With the aid of the covers and the additional help of the chairman in mopping up the wet patches the game was able to resume as a 42 over 38 over match.

Although O’Hara was finding it difficult to control the wet ball, he managed to pick up the wicket of A.Hardy for 14 with Charles Jones taking the catch a first slip (yes a Denham fielder catching the ball a miracle). S Lancaster was dismissed shortly afterwards, a leading edge off the bowling of O’ Hara with Gary Hales making a diving attempt for the catch. In the process his whites were covered in mud which will now need a damn good wash.

Forshaw and Ballard were at the wicket and they both decided to loosen their arms and in the process several deliveries were dispatched to the nearby gardens, from the bowling of Nicholas and O’Hara, so Usman Khan was brought into attack and immediately had Ballard dropped first ball by wicket keeper Sir Stuart Payne (No excuses given this week). This seem to fire up Khan who responded with some hostile bowling in the similar fashion to Flintoff on Thursday evening the only thing missing was the hospitality boxes above the sightscreen with the dark windows. Ballard was dismissed shortly afterwards, caught at deep third man by bucket hands O’Hara for 30 off Khan.

N Lancaster joined Forshaw in continuing to increase the run rate, when Bobby Banda Rai was brought into the attack (AKA The Sorcerer's Apprentice) to throw down his Carrom Deliveries, Off Spinner and Doosra which were delivered to good effect in picking up 3 wickets for 30 runs of 9 overs with his victims including C Bammohl 5, D Winter 12 and R Chammers 0 and greatly assisted by the old campaigner Gary Hales who also picked up 3 wickets for 70 runs his victims including Forshaw 79, N Lancaster 12 and Simon Payne 18 (No relation to Sir Stuart Payne).

Chalfont St Giles finished up on 215 for 9 off 42 overs. Tea was taken with an excellent spread prepared by a new tea lady Sarah which was thoroughly enjoyed by players especially O’Hara who helped himself to 3 big plate servings.

Denham began their reply with the opening partnership of Jones and Mehta, which was short lived, Mehta was out 1st ball ct and Bowled of C.Cross. In came Singh who built a partnership with Jones and they preceded to 49 for the next wicket with Jones being bowled by Payne for an impressive 29.

Khan then joined Singh at the crease with them taking the score on 84 with some exemplary shots from both players before Singh was dismissed for a good 35, caught at point by Chammers off the bowling of Payne. The score was now 84-3 off 19 overs with Denham in great position to push on for victory, when Khan was dismissed for 19 from the bowling of Payne and caught by A.Hardy.

Then the Denham camp managed to get themselves into what I can only describe as utter disarray in losing 4 wickets for 5 runs. G Hales (2) caught at mid-off, J Nicholas (0) bowled and J O Hara (0) LBW.

This brought to the wicket Bobby Bandana Rai (Nickname= Booby, Favourite Team= Arsenal, Bat= Gunn & Moore Hero 2Lb 7 ozs and Ice Bath Buddy= His Bandana) to join Maynard with the score now 95-7 off 23 overs and the target score of 215 which was now a distant speck in the horizon.

They both stood firm at the crease and took the score onto 128 before Maynard (17) was bowled by a full toss which should have been dispatched into the bowls green (maybe he should go to Specsavers to change those Contact Lenses).

So Akil joined Bobby Rai and the crease to bat out the draw with Bobby enjoying some good fortune by the Chalfont St Giles fielders on the way to his 24 Not Out. Akil then finished the game of with a 4 off the last ball after receiving orders from the skipper to hit a six to try and claim another batting point.

The game finished in a losing draw for Denham 148 for 8 off 38 overs with the Chalfont St Giles players deeply unhappy in not being able to win the game after being in a such a strong position earlier. I suppose the 8 dropped catches didn’t help!

Denham 6 pts Chalfont St Giles 16 pts

Denham are down in eighth place.

Next game: away at Penn & Tylers Green.

Batting Averages | Bowling Averages

Wargrave 2nd XI v Denham 2nd XI

August 2nd 2008

A proper draw

In a rain-restricted match Denham knocked up a respectable 187/7 off 42 overs.

Mark Shepherd was in excellent form with the ball (5/53) but Wargrave edged closer and closer due to Woodmansee 78 and Kind 53.

At length, at the end of their 38 overs they finished 1 run short at 186/6.

Denham 12 pts Wargrave 7 pts

Leaders Braywood won again and are 25 points clear of Wargrave and Little Marlow. Denham are 62 points further back in sixth place.

Next game: home to Littlewick Green.

Sunday XI