Ist XI v Taplow:

Raw and Agricultural

Denham were dismissed for a paltry 53 runs on what was a very unprepared wicket on Saturday.

Asked to bat first by Penn and Tylers Green, the home side were soon in trouble at 13/3 and never recovered.

Lance took 6-19 and Denham were bowled out in just 22 overs.

Penn decided that the cautious approach was not advisable in reply and that aggression was the way forward.

Although they reached the small target in just 11.2 overs, they made hard work of it by losing 6 wickets on the way. Faisal Mahmood was in the wickets for Denham taking 4-11.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday 8/07 v Birkbeck College

Slipped Away...

Denham opted to bat first against Birkbeck College, despite suspicions about the wicket, and made slow progress against a tight opening attack.

A total score of 206 was reached largely thanks to two batsmen; James Nicholas with 51 and Joe O'Hara whose 97 included 8 sixes.

Other batting highlights featured a retired hurt by John Paul Gates, having been hit on the elbow not protected by a Man.Utd shinguard, whilst running a quick single. Also, an entertaining stand between Harish Bhatt and Alex Marman saw the former attempting to run another "two" in as many weeks without a zimmer frame, and the latter diving spectacularly for the crease without any real need.

Birkbeck replied slowly but steadily against tidy bowling during which Hemen Mehta took 2 wickets and Harish one wicket.

However, Clark, batting at number 3 , accelerated steadily and with support, steered Birkbeck towards their target. He was eventually run out by a second "direct hit " from Joe for 101.

Unlike Denham, the Birkbeck tail was skilful enough to reach 207 with 8 balls and 3 wickets remaining.

This was another close, enjoyable game, but again Denham seemed to let it slip from a good position.

Tangfastic Tales

After weeks of deluge and floods, the rain finally stopped.

The proverbial dove returned with the olive branch and on Saturday morning the grey thunderclouds rolled back and the ground was bathed in glorious sunshine. The wettest June on record was over and it was time to take the field of dreams once again.

Proceedings began poorly for Denham as skipper Grover lost his first competitive toss of the season and White Waltham had no hesitation in choosing to bat on an absolute cracker of a track.

The Denham bowlers toiled early on with White Waltham racing to 76/0 after 16 overs. However, the proud maroon and gold swans were not disheartened by losing out on marginal decisions, and the change bowlers Ashworth, Bhatt and Mehta slowed the scoring rate and helped themselves to wickets.

Despite an outstanding display behind the stumps by Payne, Denham's fielding was again below par and White Waltham finished their 52 overs on 212/7, underpinned by a 72 from skipper Allen - the total would surely have been more if he had stayed in.

The start of Denham's innings could have been a replay. Dalton looked smart in taking Denham to double figures early on, but then dabbed one up to mid-on. Fellow opener Tobin was joined by Mehta who also looked in good form before getting frustrated with the slow bowling.

His dismissal brought the ever entertaining Tang to the crease. By this point the required rate had started to creep up, but the first team had arrived to lend their support, thanks to a quick finish at home. Their journey was not a wasted one, as JK and Tang did excite the crowd with the ball travelling over the rope to tumultuous applause on more than one occasion.

Tang even began picking out moving targets - unlucky to the guy who took one in his driver's door: you've been Denhamed. With able support from JK, Payne and Bhatt and less able support from Grover and Mann, Tang went on to a career-best 81 not out.

However the death bowling was just good enough and for the second time this season Denham stalled 10 runs short of victory on 203/7.